How To Clean Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a beautiful, durable material. It’s often used in kitchen spaces in sinks and appliances for its sleek, clean appearance. In order to keep stainless steel looking, well, stainless, there are some things to consider. In today’s guide, we’re going to talk about how to clean stainless steel the right way.

By the end of this guide, you will be able to clean all of your stainless steel surfaces and keep them looking like new for longer. We’ll cover tips and tricks that will help make your job easier and help deal with some trick stains or spots. Let’s dive right in.

What is Stainless Steel?

Stainless steel is an alloy consisting of iron and chromium. Stainless steel used to be called rust-less steel, and that makes sense. For the most part, stainless steel is highly rust-resistant, but it can rust. This metal is indefinitely recyclable, and it is environmentally safe. It does not put off any harmful chemicals when it comes into contact with water, and that’s why it is used in the food and medical industries. Stainless steel is aesthetic and easy to maintain. It is easily disinfected and cleaned.

How Do You Clean Stainless Steel?

When it comes to cleaning stainless steel, it’s rather simple. A simple 1:10 mixture of white or apple cider vinegar is a great stainless steel cleaner. It cleans and disinfects extremely well. This homemade cleaner is non-toxic and safe to use around children and animals. Plus, it won’t cause any damage to your stainless steel surfaces.

One of the most important things to remember when you’re cleaning stainless steel is to not scrub it with a brush or rough sponge. The bristles of the brush or rough fibers of the sponge can cause micro scratches that will mar the surface permanently.

If you find there is a stain or spot that just won’t come off, there are great stainless steel cleaners out there at any home improvement store. Overall, though, one of the best stainless steel cleaners and polishers we’ve used is good, old baking soda. The baking soda acts as a mico-polisher. Simply sprinkle it all over the sink or make a thick paste with some water and rub it around in small circles. The size of the baking soda particles is so small that they won’t cause any damage to the stainless steel. If you notice some tricky rust spotting, baking soda will do the trick. For better results, consider letting it sit overnight.

What’s the Best Kind of Rag to Use?

When it comes to using rags to clean stainless steel, a good-quality microfiber towel is your best bet. Microfiber towels are excellent for removing fingerprints, grease stains, and more. They’re gentle and won’t scratch your stainless steel surfaces either.

Need Plumbing Help?

Now you know how to clean stainless steel. Did you notice a clogged drain while you were cleaning the sink? If you ever have any plumbing concerns, issues, or questions, please don’t hesitate to call your local plumbing experts at Autry Plumbing.