You may have bought good-quality cookware, but if you don't take care of it properly then it's bound to deteriorate over time. Regularly washing, maintaining and checking your cookware is an essential part of keeping your kitchen in good working order. In this article we run through some of the main things you need to do to keep your kitchen cookware in tip-top working condition.

Check Your Handles

One of the most important things you can do is check the handles of your pots and pans. Over time screws can wear out or come loose, leaving you with a potentially dangerous situation - imagine if it came loose while you were carrying a full pot of boiling water!

If you do spot loose screws, they can generally just be tightened up using a screwdriver. It's probably best if you avoid using a power drill - if you go too far, you may crack your handle.

If you're handle is cracked, you've got a bigger problem, as this is far less easy to repair. If you can't obtain a replacement handle from your manufacturer, it might be necessarily to buy an entirely new item.

Washing Your Cookware

Dishwashers are a controversial subject when it comes to cookware. Some people say that the detergents used in dishwashers can damage kitchen cookware - others say those days have past. Regardless, you'll want to remove your cookware immediately after the wash cycle and dry it by hand to stop ugly discolourations.

Generally, washing by hand using a mild detergent will be your best bet, although this is not good for cast iron or blue steel cookware, as it will ruin the seasoning and cause it to rust.

If there is food burned on to the bottom of your cookware, the best thing to do is soak it for some time in hot soapy water, before placing the item on the stove and boiling the water for about 10 minutes. After you've done this, scrub the pan with a scouring pad - but avoid steel, as this will scratch the cookware and eventually lead to it wearing out.

Water with a large amount of calcium in it will tend to leave a build-up of white residue on your cookware over time. To get rid of this, try a mixture that's one-quarter vinegar and three-quarters water. Boil it, let it cool then wash it out - this should have done the trick.