Cleaning your Stainless Steel Appliances
Stainless steel has become very popular in many households these days. If you have this metal alloy that has become popular for sinks and appliances, you have a great surface that doesn’t corrode or rust easily. Stainless steel is easy to sanitize and clean. It actually isn’t stain-proof, it simply stains less than other steel. Chemical residues, dirty water, and even hard water can leave stains and spots on stainless steel. It can also be dented and scratched fairly easily. Manufacturers are now offering new types of finishes that diminish scratching and fingerprints.
Anyone with an appliance with a stainless steel finish, such as a dishwasher, refrigerator or oven, likes to see a streak-free surface. Clean it properly, and you will have a beautiful result.
The following will be the Do’s and Don’ts when maintaining your appliances.
Do’s
Safest Way
One easy way to clean the exterior of a stainless steel appliance is with two soft, clean lint free cloths. A portion of the first cloth should be soaked with very hot water. Wipe a section of the surface with the hot, wet cloth and immediately dry the same spot with the dry cloth. Wipe in the direction of any polish lines and you should have a streak-free result. If there are significant stains, try adding a small amount of a mild soap to the water. Rinse the surface thoroughly with warm water and immediately dry it with a clean cloth. Some manufacturers recommend lightly wiping the surface with a water dampened microfiber cloth, followed by a dry polishing chamois.
Stainless Steel Cleaners.
Some Manufacturers recommend using a soft, non-abrasive stainless steel cleaner on the stainless steel finishes. Apply the cleaner with a soft 100% lint free cloth. All work should follow the direction of the grain, and better results are obtained by keeping the cloth in continuous contact with the metal.
If you’ve had staining or scratching, or need to polish your stainless steel, a stainless steel cleaner may be a good option. Some of these cleaners and polishes can help minimize scratching and remove stains. They also can polish stainless steel surfaces nicely. Read the directions on the stainless steel cleaner and test in an inconspicuous spot. Be sure to rinse thoroughly and towel dry.
Keeping that Shiny Look
Simple has its seems and works like a charm, Pledge wipes work the best on stainless steel and are great for quick touch ups. They also contain just the right amount of polish.
Don’ts
Do not use abrasive cleaners that will scratch the surface.
Depending on the surface finish of your stainless steel, abrasive cleaners can cause scratching.
Do not forget to rinse.
Gritty or dirty water, or residue from cleaning solutions left on a stainless steel surface can stain or damage the finish.
Do not use cleaners containing chlorine.
While it may be second nature to bleach everything, stainless steel and chlorine don’t mix. Stay away from the bleach when you clean stainless steel.
Do not use steel wool or steel brushes.
These products leave little particles in the surface of the steel and inevitably these particles begin rusting and staining the surface of the steel. They also can excessively scratch the surface of your stainless steel.
Do not assume it’s the cleaner.
If you do have some spotting or staining, and you’ve followed all of the rules, it may not be the cleaner. Water, especially hard water, can leave spotting and staining on stainless steel surfaces. Using distilled water or towel dry after rinsing can end the problem.
The info was gathered by Leahy’s Inspections. Providing quality inspections in Fort Worth, Arlington, Mansfield, Burleson, Joshua, Crowley, Everman, Rendon, Aledo, Benbrook, Cedar Hill, Grand Prairie, Midlothian, Dallas, Hurst, Euless and surrounding areas.
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