Cleaning Stainless Steel
Some Helpful Tips For Cleaning Stainless Steel
If you haven’t much time for fussing and cleaning, stainless steel can pose quite a challenge in your kitchen. There are appliances and faucets to consider, and they can be easily smudged with common skin oils and foods. Cleaning stainless steel can be far less stressful if an every day ritual is adhered to, and this should only take about ten minutes of your time. If you are deciding on the durable and visually sharp qualities of stainless steel for your home, it is important to note that this material doesn’t stay looking as pristine as in the showroom without a bit of effort. Your little helpers can learn how to care for these beautiful pieces as well, so let’s get started.
Cleaning stainless steel dishwashers and refrigerators is a bit easier than caring for microwave ovens and ranges, as the nature of the grime is a bit more intense on these items. The best remedy for everyday cleaning of stainless steel is the use of hot water with mild dish soap. You will want to fully submerge a clean, lint free rag into the dish soap mixture, and the water should be as hot as you can stand. When using this remedy for greasy areas, you will want to rinse your rag more often. Have a second rag at the ready, and this one should be completely clean and dry.
Begin cleaning stainless steel by washing the surface with the grain of the metal. Two or three nice strokes per area should suffice, depending on how soiled the area is. Before each area has a chance to dry, wipe it with the dry rag to a nice shine. Allowing the liquid to air dry will defeat the entire purpose of cleaning stainless steel, as new water spots and marks will form. Should you run into this problem, simply rewet the area in question and shine it again with the dry cloth. This can be done several times per day, if you wish to do so, as mild dish washing detergent is non-abrasive and smudge free.
Should you find that you are still having issues with cleaning stainless steel surfaces, a simple window cleaner or ammonia treatment might be necessary. The general premise is the same with this type of cleaning job, as you will want to shine the surface until it is completely dry. For instances where the surfaces that you are trying to clean are scratched or otherwise damaged, a high quality stainless steel polish may be needed. You will want to follow each previous step before polishing, and be sure to clean and polish with the grain of the steel. This will prevent further streaks and, more importantly, the waste of valuable time.