General

What does S.O.S® stand for?

S.O.S® stands for "Save Our Saucepans." The name is a play on the international distress signal, “S.O.S.” Because the distress signal cannot be copyrighted, the final period was dropped on the brand name of the soap pad, which then allowed for a brand copyright.

When was S.O.S® introduced?

S.O.S® was introduced back in 1917 when Irwin Cox, a Wear-Ever Aluminum cooking utensil salesman, invented a way for his customers to keep their new pans shining bright. Check out the heritage section of this website to learn more about the rich history of the S.O.S® brand!

Where can I buy S.O.S® products?

S.O.S® products are sold at thousands of fine retailers across the U.S. Go to the home page of this website and scroll down - you'll see a listing of some of the places you can find S.O.S®!

I can't find S.O.S® at (X retailer). What can I do?

S.O.S® products are sold at many fine retailers across the U.S. But if it turns out that your favorite retailer doesn’t carry what you are looking for, we suggest you reach out to the store manager and ask that they carry it.

Steel Wool Soap Pads

What are the cleaning ingredients in an S.O.S® steel wool soap pad?

Pads are made of shaved steel wire and soap. The soap contains rust inhibitors, preservatives, biodegradable soaps and detergents, a pH buffer, fragrance and color. And we are proud to say that 100% of the products used in making steel wool soap pads are made in the United States of America.

Will my S.O.S® steel wool soap pads rust?

The soap in S.O.S® pads contains a rust inhibitor. Because S.O.S® pads are thoroughly saturated with soap from the inside out they will, in most cases, resist oxidation throughout the useful life of the pad. Eventually an S.O.S® pad will rust after use but allowing the pad to dry on a well-drained surface after each use will help retain the soap and extend the life of the pad.

Can I use a S.O.S® steel wool soap pad to remove stains from a Teflon or non-stick pot?

Instead, use an S.O.S® Non-Scratch Scrubber which is designed especially for non-stick and other delicate surfaces. These scrubbers clean even the most baked on greasy messes without scratching!

Can I use S.O.S® steel wool soap pads on stainless steel and aluminum cookware to remove baked-on grease?

Yes! S.O.S® steel wool soap pads are safe for stainless steel and aluminum cookware. Simply wet a pad and scrub. Once food particles and grease are loosened, rinse with water for a glistening shine.

Non-Scratch Scrubbers

Will my S.O.S® non-scratch scrubber pads rust?

No, the S.O.S® non-scratch scrubbers are made from polypropylene fibers that scrub without scratching. There are no ingredients in the scrubber that will rust.

What are the cleaning ingredients in an S.O.S® non-scratch scrubber pad?

The non-scratch scrubber pads are made of polypropylene fibers and soap. The soap contains preservatives, biodegradable soaps and detergents, a pH buffer, fragrance and color. And we are proud to say that 100% of the products used in making our non-scratch scrubber pads are made in the United States of America.

Can I use an S.O.S® non-scratch scrubber pad on anodized cookware like Calphalon®?

Yes! S.O.S® non-scratch scrubber pads are safe to use on anodized cookware.

Can I use an S.O.S® non-scratch scrubber pad on enamel cookware like Le Creuset®?

Yes! S.O.S® non-scratch scrubber pads are safe to use on enamel cookware.

Other Products

What happened to S.O.S® Tuffy? I can't find it anywhere!

Good news and bad news. Distribution of Tuffy® has been discontinued. HOWEVER, the good news is that we have a terrific new non-scratch product that used as directed is built to clean most any surface safely! S.O.S® Non-Scratch Scrubbers were designed to clean non-stick and other delicate cookware and are made of polypropylene fibers and soap, so they scrub without scratching. Give these new scrubbers a try - We think you'll find they work great for a variety of tough cleaning jobs that require a more delicate touch.

Is it safe to clean S.O.S® Scrubbing Sponges in the dishwasher?

Yes, our Scrubbing Sponges are dishwasher-safe. To disinfect sponges just wash in the top rack of the dishwasher.

Can I use bleach to clean my scrubber sponge?

We do not recommend cleaning the scrubber sponges with bleach. It will cause the cellulose to deteriorate.