Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances

An alloy of iron and contains 10 percent of chromium is known as Stainless Steel. This type of metal resists stain, as the name suggests; most of the time, the steel dulls and shows oily finger prints. In forming the surface, chromium alloy is used to form the surface with hard oxide coating – thus, the process of making stainless steel. If the hard oxide coating is taken off, the steel would undergo wear and corrosion, the steel would rust.

Stainless steels are noted for their solidity, which is why it is used for tableware, utensils, counter tops, sinks, and small appliances. This type of metal is known for its ability to resist corrosion and rust, and to be a clean surface. The risk of corroding and rusting is there though, when dirt, dust, and grime are present. It is a good thing that stainless steel still responds to cleaning, and it never wears out – as long as you follow directions.

This metal is needed to be cleaned not just for aesthetic concern but to preserve it from corroding. Contamination of dirt causes the corrosion of stainless steel. Hence, cleaning your appliances routinely can preserve the integrity of the surface and the stainless steel appearance. Grain/pattern orientation, surface/pattern, and designs that allow the maximum cleaning should be considered also.

Stainless steel cleaning
Washing soap or mild detergent then rinsing with water is usually enough for architectural and domestic equipment, as stainless steels are easy to clean. Great results would be achieved if after cleaning, you wipe it dry with clean cloth.
1. Cloth and Water
Cleaning routinely could be accomplished by cloth dipped in warm water. For cleaning stainless steel, this is the least risky. After wiping of cloth with warm water, dry the surface with a cloth to prevent spotting. Follow the direction of polish lines when wiping.

2. Cloth and Mild Detergent (dishwashing liquid)
If you are cleaning tough dirt, you need mild detergent soaked in warm water. This mixture is great as it does not damage stainless steel. Make sure that after cleaning the surface with the mixture; rinse it to prevent spotting and staining. Water spots caused by the minerals in water can be prevented if you towel dry the surface.

3. Glass Cleaners
One of the biggest complaints about stainless steels is fingerprints. You can clean the stain caused by the fingerprints with household ammonia or glass cleaner. After thorough rinsing, you have to towel dry. But there are new types of stainless steel that resist fingerprints finishes. This is a must-have if you do not want to leave marks on your stainless steel appliances.

4. Stainless Steel Cleaner
Having stains or scratches, or you need to polish it, a good option is to use stainless steel cleaner. Most of these cleaners and polishers minimize scratches, removes stain, and polishes a stainless steel surface nicely. If using it, read the directions carefully and test in an ordinary spot. As always, rinse thoroughly and towel dry.

5. Stubborn Stains
You can use mild cleaning solutions to remove stains. With rag, sponge, or fibre brush (soft nylon, an old toothbrush, or natural bristle), rub it gently to the stainless steel. Rinse well and towel dry.

6. Organic Solvents
Organic solvents such as acetone can be used to remove oil or grease marks. After applying, clean with soap, then dry. Follow the polish lines when drying.

7. Rust and other Corrosion
Adding to nine parts of warm water with one part of nitric acid can remove rust stains. For 30 to 60 minutes, leave it; wash it off after with plenty of water; then flush excess liquids. Be careful with using the nitric acid solution, use gloves and mix it in a glass container. After rinsing, dry the towels.

8. Satin Finished
Scratches on satin finished stainless steel can be removed by using soaked nylon pads. Do not use steel wool – iron as this could cause more problems. Use scouring pads. For deeper scratches, use polish with scurf with iron-free abrasives. Just follow the polish lines. Clean with soap or detergent after.

9. Cleaning using natural ingredients
The following can be mistaken as an ingredient for salad dressing. But these are really the most effective agents for stainless steel:
a. Olive Oil – this can remove streaks; just rub in stainless steel sinks.
Vinegar – moisten cloth with undiluted cider or white vinegar and wipe clean to clean and polish stainless steel. This can also be used in removing stainless steel cutlery heat stains.
b. Club Soda – rubbing club soda in stainless steel can remove streaks or heat stains.

Tips on cleaning
1. Use dishwasher - This is for stainless steel dishes. Because dishwasher uses warm water and gently cleans, your stainless steel dishes would escape from scrubbing.
2. Use 10% solution of nitric acid - This is the used industrially. Most often, it is done for really tough discolorations and stains.
3. Clean often - Small stainless steel objects are cleaned regularly. But few only know that dirt builds up in large objects. Cleaning frequently would lessen the chance of having dirt that damages stainless steel.
4. Leave it - That stain that soaking cannot remove and even gentle cleaning, better leave it. The more you attempt removing it, the greater damage you may cause to your stainless steel.