How To Clean Stainless Steel

Stainless steel, being high in resilience, finds a wide range of household and industrial uses. The reason for this is the fact that stainless steel is covered with a chromium film, which makes it resistant to rust and tarnish. On top of that, if the stainless steel items are used with care, the film can provide protection, against dirt and other contaminants, for many years. Still, there may be instances of steel items getting stained, in which case you will have to clean them thoroughly. In the following lines, we have explained the best way for cleaning stainless steel, in case of heavy staining as well as otherwise.

How To Clean Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is extremely prone to staining. It is advisable to clean any spills as soon as possible. Through it is not entirely impossible to remove stains from it, after the former have set in, you will be required to put in much more efforts and there is also a possibility of damage or scratches to the surface.
Take a bucket and fill it with warm water. Add some detergent powder or ammonia to it. Soak the stained object in the solution for a few hours. In case of sturdy stains, you can soak the stainless steel items in the soapy or ammonia-treated water overnight.
After the items have been soaked for enough time, change the water. Now, take a soft towel or dish cloth and wet it in the soapy water. Since stainless steel is prone to scratches, it is better to stick to a soft cloth or nylon sponge and totally avoid an abrasive cloth. In case you want to use a cleaning brush, make sure that it has soft bristles.
With the help of a soft towel, dish cloth, sponge or brush - soaked in soapy water, scrub the stainless steel surface lightly. In case of stainless steel items with a polished finish, always scrub with the finish, not against it. At the same time, avoid a circular scrubbing motion. Rinse and wring out the cloth/scrub/brush frequently, while cleaning.
Finally, rinse your stainless steel item with warm, clean water. Make sure that the cleaning solution has been removed from the steel surface completely. Otherwise, it might result in streaks and a rainbow-colored discoloration. Thereafter, wipe the item with a clean cloth or sponge.
In case the stain persists, you can repeat the process once again. You will have to be patient and follow persistent scrubbing. This will help remove the toughest of stains.

Some Tips

In case you have tried scrubbing enough and the stain prefers to cling on to the stainless steel surface, it is the time to apply a mild abrasive cleaner. Make a paste of water and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and, with the help of a soft cloth, rub it over the stain. After scrubbing well, rinse the stainless steel item thoroughly.
For the toughest of stains, which refuse to go away with homemade cleaners, commercial abrasive cleaner will be the best bet. Take a wet cloth and put the abrasive on it. Apply the abrasive side of the cloth to the stainless steel, moving in the direction of the grain. After scrubbing is over, wipe the stained area with another soft cloth, which is hot and damp. Rinse thoroughly, using clean, warm water, and dry.

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