Stainless steel appliances, furniture or cutlery have become a very popular choice for bathrooms and kitchens. However, using them regularly combined with dust and dirt collecting can lead to corrosion or rust developing.
Stainless steel is one of the materials which are very commonly found in modern kitchens and bathrooms. In the kitchen, specifically stainless steel is most commonly used in cutlery or some kitchen appliances. This material has the main advantage of being as durable as regular steel, however, at the same time, it resists rust due to a series of steps in its manufacturing process.
The key to achieving and maintaining stainless steel in an impeccable condition is taking care of it regularly and correctly. There are several methods for cleaning stainless steel that will result in eliminating stains and maintaining the impeccable condition of your stainless steel appliances.
If you would like for your stainless steel cutlery and appliances to last longer you have to correctly clean them. Food particles and stains stick to stainless steel with ease.
What is stainless steel?
Stainless steel is a type of metal that is made by mixing iron with a minimal amount of carbon. As a whole, the amount of carbon varies between 0.03% and 1.8%. That, in turn, means that the percentage of carbon as compared to iron is significantly smaller. However, by including even such a small amount of carbon the resulting metal is much stronger and has many different uses.
Due to the large quantity of iron steel can oxidize as easily as regular iron itself. Several steps are taken that allow steel to be transformed into stainless steel, which has rust-resiting properties.
There are several different ways to manufacture stainless steel, most commonly a layer of chrome is applied over the already formed steel. In doing so a protective film is formed over the iron which limits contact with oxygen in the atmosphere and prevents rust.
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Cleaning discoloured or burnt stainless steel.
Despite being much more durable and resistant to stains and dirt than regular steel it is always important to keep stainless steel clean and in good condition. If you want to prevent stains and keep stainless steel looking brand new you have to regularly clean it.
There are different ways to clean discoloured stainless steel. There are special detergents you can purchase that are designed for cleaning stainless steel. If you choose this option you have to make sure that the detergent you choose is specifically designed for stainless steel because the surface protective chrome layer can be damaged otherwise.
If you do not want to use chemical agents for your stainless steel items or wish to use a more natural and eco-friendly cleaning solution you can use time tested methods for stainless steel cleaning using baking soda, vinegar and olive oil.
Cleaning stainless steel with olive oil.
One of the many uses olive oil has around your home is cleaning metals. A cleaning trick you can use to clean metal is applying a small amount of olive oil on the metal surface using a towel. When you wipe the olive oil away it will be shining and glimmering. You will achieve better results by using olive oil than regular, commercially available cleaning detergents. Cleaning stainless steel with olive oil also restored the natural shine of your appliance or cutlery. After you are done cleaning you can wipe away any excess olive oil using a piece of kitchen roll.
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Cleaning stainless steel with vinegar.
You can clean any type of metal, including stainless steel using vinegar. Vinegar is one of those readily available home cleaning solutions that you can use for just about anything. You can use vinegar to clean even oxidized metals, the acidity will strip away the oxidation layer after being wiped for a few minutes. When applied to cleaning stainless steel vinegar will strip away almost any type of stains. It is best to leave the vinegar on the stain for a few minutes, after soaking the vinegar will penetrate in the stain soften it and will make it easier for you to wipe the stain off.
Cleaning stainless steel with baking soda.
You can effectively use baking soda to eliminate stains from your stainless steel items. Make a thick paste from baking soda and water, apply it to the stainless steel items and let the baking soda cleaning solution soak for a few minutes. Dependent on how hardened the stain is use a soft towel or scrubber to remove the dirt from the stainless steel.
Cleaning stainless steel with warm water.
To routinely clean stainless steel you do not need much more than warm water and a cloth for cleaning. This cleaning method has the least amount of risk involved. Water will remove lighter stains, splashes or fingerprints. Dry your stainless steel items thoroughly if you are going to use water, water droplets may leave marks. To achieve the best result use a microfiber cloth, it absorbs water and will not scratch the surface.
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Cleaning stainless steel using dishwashing liquid/hand soap.
For more stubborn stains add a few drops of dishwashing liquid or hand soap to a microfiber cloth and make a light cleaning solution.
Cleaning stainless steel with glass cleaning detergent.
Finger marks are one of the most common complaints about stainless steel appliances. You can eliminate finger marks using glass cleaner. All you have to do is spray the detergent and use a microfiber cloth to wipe the stains away.
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Cleaning a stainless steel sink.
To effectively clean your stainless steel sink you can use the same baking soda and water paste and add a little bit of soap. Apply to the surface and rinse. After wipe with a dry cloth.
