Although stainless steel does not rust easily, it does often stain. Fortunately, there are many convenient and quick ways to clean stainless steel appliances. A paste made of liquid soap and baking soda may be the best option. For more stubborn stains, scrubbing directly with vinegar may be effective. Stainless steel will look as clean as new in no time!
Contamination Removal
Mix equal parts dish soap and baking soda to remove simple stains. Dip a nylon scrubber or an old toothbrush into the paste and gently scrub the stain along the grain of the stainless steel.
Use vinegar to remove stubborn stains. If the baking soda paste doesn’t work, use a soft-bristle brush dipped in undiluted vinegar. Scrub gently along the grain of the stainless steel. Finally, wipe away the vinegar with a dry rag.
- Or fill a spray bottle with a little vinegar, spray it on the stain, and then wipe it away with a brush or paper towel.
Use a flour bag and scouring powder to remove sink stains. Dip a corner of an empty flour bag into the water. Sprinkle a little stain remover powder from brands like Comet or Bon Ami on top. Rub the stain remover into the stain using circular motions. Dip the other corner of the bag into water and rub the stain in the opposite direction.
- Finally, wipe the entire cleaned area with wax paper.
After cleaning, polish your stainless steel sink or appliances. Use stainless steel polish, lemon oil, or silicone spray to keep the surface smooth. While exact usage will vary depending on the product you’re using, generally speaking, you can use a clean rag with a little polish and rub it back and forth along the grain of the stainless steel.
- In addition to products sold in stores, you can also use mineral oils such as olive oil. Simply dampen a rag or paper towel with a little oil and rub it in the direction of the grain.
Remove Rust
Make a paste with baking soda and water. If rust spots appear on stainless steel, don’t worry! They are easy to get rid of. Mix 15 grams of baking soda and 470 ml of water.
Dip a toothbrush into the paste and scrub away the rust stains. Find a soft-bristled toothbrush. You can no longer use this toothbrush to brush your teeth, so it’s best to use an old toothbrush. Dip the bristles in a little baking soda paste and use it to scrub the rust spots.
Wash off the paste. Rinse away the baking soda with warm water. Then wipe the stainless steel with a paper towel. There should be no rust stains visible now!
Follow General Principles
Check the owner’s manual for maintenance instructions. The user manual may have specific methods and suggestions for how to effectively remove stains from stainless steel. With these instructions, you’ll be able to use the most appropriate method to remove stains.
Wipe along the grain of the stainless steel. Look closely to determine the grain direction of your stainless steel item or appliance. You will find that the metal surface actually has thin wire drawings, and they are all in the same direction. Unless otherwise stated, clean along the grain of the stainless steel.
Wipe down stainless steel utensils every time you wash dishes. Wipe the surface in the direction of the grain with a damp soapy rag. Rinse the rag with clean water and wipe the stainless steel utensils again. Finally, wipe it dry with a dry rag to avoid leaving water stains.
Do not use cleaning products that may damage stainless steel. Cleaners containing chlorides such as iodine, bromine, chlorine, and fluorine can cause pitting and damage to stainless steel. Alcohol, ammonia, or mineral spirits can also damage the protective layer on the steel surface. Finally, rough steel wool balls or steel brushes can scratch the stainless steel surface, causing rust.
Clean Stainless Steel
Dust stainless steel pots, pans, and sinks with flour. Use a sponge dipped in hot soapy water and try to clean the surface as much as possible. After the moisture on the stainless steel has dried, sprinkle some flour on it. Use a rag or paper towel to rub the flour into the metal. This will effectively remove the remaining small amounts of dirt and grime.
Use glass cleaner to remove fingerprints. Spray a generous amount of glass cleaner onto the stainless steel surface and wipe it off with a clean rag. This method is very effective at erasing fingerprints.
- You can also make your glass cleaner. Find a container of about 2 liters and add 240 ml of high-concentration alcohol and 60 ml of white vinegar into it. Fill the remaining space in the container with water and pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
Use furniture polish to add shine. You can use furniture polish instead of glass cleaner. Just spray a small amount of furniture polish on a clean rag and use it to wipe the stainless steel surface.
Use sparkling water on utensils. When cleaning household appliances, fill a spray bottle with sparkling water and spray the stainless steel surface. Rub along the grain of the stainless steel until it shines.
- If you’re cleaning a stainless steel sink, put the stopper in place and pour soda water until it covers the entire bottom of the sink. Use a clean rag to scrub the sides and bottom of the sink in circular motions, dipping the rag in soda water as needed.
Tips
- Test the product you choose on a small area to make sure it won’t damage the surface of the stainless steel.
- Be as gentle as possible to avoid scratching the stainless steel. Do not use abrasive powder, steel wool, or scouring pads.