Stainless steel is a popular material choice among homeowners and interior designers. Appliances with a stainless steel exterior add a sleek, contemporary look to the kitchen, and when properly cleaned, their shine adds an element of sharpness and professionalism. Stainless steel surfaces also fit seamlessly into a variety of home décor choices, and can be easily matched when purchasing pots and pans, or small appliances such as toasters and mixers.
One challenge that stainless steel fans face, however, is keeping their steel surfaces clean. Stainless steel often reveals fingerprints, stains, and even residue from certain cleaning solutions after cleaning. It is especially prone to stains from heat and hard water.
Before cleaning your stainless steel appliances, be sure to read the instructor’s manual.eHow.com notes that many stainless steel appliances are factory “clear-coated,” which means they have a lacquer varnish that should be cleaned according to manufacturer specifications. Know what you have before you clean!
Removing fingerprints, spills and other stains from uncoated stainless steel appliances is simple once you’ve read manufacturer instructions. eHow.com’s basic approach for cleaning the average stainless steel surface is summarized below:
- 1. Rub down the entire area with a cloth dampened with warm, soapy water.
- 2. Repeat, using rubbing alcohol or vinegar with a soft cloth.
- 3. Apply a small amount of commercial stainless steel cleaner. Rub in the direction of the “grain” lines on the finish.
- 4. To remove hard or stubborn stains, including grease or baked-on foods, use a nylon scouring pad (if allowable by the manufacturer) and a hot, caustic soda solution. It is important to refer to the owner’s manual for instructions that will prevent scratches in the surface of your appliance. Scratches are not only unsightly; they can lead to rusting.
- 5. Rinse the surface with warm water.
- Rub down the entire surface of the stainless steel appliance with a small amount of baby oil applied to a paper towel.
eHow.com notes that stainless steel appliances should be cleaned immediately after use, although you should of course wait for the surface to cool before cleaning. Common steel wool or steel brushes should never be used. Also avoid oven cleaners or detergents containing chloride.
TipNut.com offers some alternate suggestions. This site recommends first doing a quick wipe with a gentle liquid dish detergent and water mix, and then drying with a clean towel (be sure to wipe around handles and doors, and open the doors to remove dirt from inside edges). If smudges and marks are still visible after wiping, buff them out with a lint-free cloth or try applying one of the following substances to the cloth and wipe down again.
- A dab of olive oil or mineral oil (baby oil)
- Club soda
- Rubbing alcohol
- Vinegar (which can also work well for polishing)
Follow up wiping with a clean dry cloth for a mark-free shine.
When it comes to stainless steel pots and pans, Martha Stewart notes that stains can be removed by applying white vinegar with a soft cloth, and then rubbing. It is important to dry the pots thoroughly after washing to prevent the formation of a film. Stewart explains that you should never soak stainless steel cookware, because doing so will result in pitted surfaces.
At Atherton Appliance & Kitchens in Redwood City and BSC Culinary in San Francisco, we offer numerous premium appliance brands that provide stainless steel exteriors if desired. Stop by one of our showrooms today so that we can talk about the advantages of stainless steel and show you some options that are available for your kitchen. We look forward to seeing you!
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