You don't want to put a cast iron skillet in the dishwasher or use steel wool or soap. This will strip the seasoning. You don't want to soak it either, or it could rust. To remove stuck on food, you have a few options. Use a sponge or stiff brush or boil water in the skillet. You could also mix coarse salt and water to create a paste and rub it on the stuck on food. Dry your skillet completely with a towel and put on a light coat of oil or shortening. Then, store in a dry place.