I have many iron skillets and dutch ovens...some belonged to my Mom and one to my Grandmother. I use dish detergent to scrub with a plastic bristle brush (no brillo or metal scrubbers)...I rinse well and then dry on a burner of the stove and then apply a thin coat of oil with a paper towel...This works very well for me....if some food is stuck salt or baking soda works to remove it....never soak you skillet...