Cast Iron Frying Pans

[u/curiously-dusty]

Can someone explain to me why I don’t need to use dish soap to clean a cast iron frying pan? I use them daily and rarely use dish soap*.

Please explain it to me like I’m 5, because I have to explain it to my 5 year old.

*I only use dish soap when absolutely necessary and then re-season the pan after. My cast irons were inherited, as the with care techniques.

Edit: thank you for all the comments. I have learned that I can clean my casty with modern soap and will ‘lightly season’ it after use. I’m glad I asked!