Caring for your Stainless Steel
It’s surprisingly easy to keep stainless steel clean. A simple wash and wipe dry is generally all it takes.
For best results, wash or wipe over your stainless steel with a hot water solution containing mild detergent or washing up liquid, rinse with clean water and wipe dry with a soft, dry cloth.
'Wiping dry’ is the secret to maintain those gleaming good looks, so don’t leave your pots and pans dripping on the draining board or water droplets on your appliances or accessories.
The ‘wipe dry’ routine is especially important in hard water areas as it will prevent the build up of a grey coloured film caused by limescale deposits.
Avoid using abrasive cleaners, scourers and wire wool as they will leave scratches. Non stainless steel wire wool pads are particularly damaging as they often leave behind tiny fragments which can rust onto the surface.
SSA
Recommends:
The
E-cloth – a really clever
cleaning cloth that consists of millions of tiny ultra-microfibres, which
collect and trap the smallest of dirt particles, including grease. Many
of our members have tested the E-cloth in conjunction with their products
and say it works a treat!
E-Cloths are sold in packs and contain a general purpose cleaning cloth and a glass/polishing cloth. All you have to do to keep your stainless steel looking ship-shape is wet the general purpose cloth, wring out the excess water and wipe over your stainless steel surfaces. Then, rub over with the polishing cloth to wipe dry. The polishing cloth can also be used on its own when the surface is only lightly soiled. It really is as simple as that.
The E-Cloth is priced around £9.99 and is available from leading stores including John Lewis, Comet, House of Fraser, Scottish Power and Jewsons. Or alternatively call 01892 752 199.
Frequently Asked Questions
I would
like to buy a stainless steel appliance for my kitchen, but isn’t
its beautiful surface difficult to clean?
No,
stainless steels are easy to clean, that’s why they are the choice
of material in catering and food manufacturing industries. The smooth
and non-porous surface makes it difficult for bacteria and other micro-organisms
to adhere and survive.
Of course, no material in the home is totally maintenance free, and stainless
steel is no exception to this rule. Stainless steel can be cleaned easily
with a simple wash and dry routine which will leave surfaces with a high
standard of hygiene.
How can
I remove fingerprints?
In
a large majority of cases, a soft cloth or sponge, soaked in soapy water,
then wiped dry, will produce perfect results. Another easy way of removing
them is with a slightly damp microfibre cloth. On mirror-like stainless
steel surfaces, glass cleaners perform well.
Is there
any way I can remove limescale?
To shift water marks use a non-abrasive multipurpose cream cleanser (that
does not contain bleach) applied with a soft cloth and then rinse with
clean water and wipe dry. Heavy limescale can be loosened by soaking in
a hot 25% vinegar solution. Rinse well with a solution of sodium bicarbonate
(baking powder) and then with clean water. Always wipe dry.
What
can I do to remove burnt on food in pots and pans?
You can reduce the cleaning effort substantially by soaking the burnt-on
deposits. Fill the pan with hot water and a drop of washing-up liquid
and leave overnight. After this, the deposit can generally be removed
with a sponge or nylon scouring pad.
Never use non stainless steel wool scouring pads. Ordinary steel wool
pads can leave rusty stains after cleaning which may detract from the
overall aesthetic appeal of your product and reduce the effectiveness
of its corrosion resistant properties.
Stainless steel wool scouring pads are not recommended as the scratches
cannot easily be removed by further cleaning. Such ‘aggressive’
cleaning should only be used as a last resort.
Are there
any cleaning practises that should be avoided?
Disinfectants containing bleach can damage stainless steel if concentrated
or allowed to be in contact with the surfaces for too long. Salt or other
cleaners shown as containing chlorides can also cause damage. Always dilute
these ‘sanitising’ products, if used, keep the contact time
to a minimum and ensure that the surface is throughly rinsed with clean
water afterwards.
Avoid using wire wool scouring pads or scouring powders. They will scratch the surface of your stainless steel and reduce the effectiveness of the corrosion resistant properties.
Silver dip cleaners may contain chlorides and strong acids that are not suitable for stainless steel.
Top Tips
Here are a few additional tips on caring for your stainless steel. If you have any tips that you would like to pass on please let us know – we’d love to hear from you.
For best results on brushed and polished stainless steel surfaces wipe along the grain not across.
Avoid using plastic washing up bowls in stainless steel sinks. Particles of grit and glass often embed themselves into the base of the bowl, resulting in scratches in the sink.
Remove sticky labels from the surface of your stainless steel pots and pans by gently heating them in the oven for 2-3 minutes. You should be able to peel off the label without leaving any gluey residue.
A few drops of Olive Oil or Baby Oil applied to a soft cloth and then rubbed gently over your stainless steel surfaces will remove fingermarks. Remember to polish off with a soft cloth.
Don’t leave salt, vinegar, citric fruit juices, mustard or pickles on the surface of stainless steel for long periods as they could cause corrosion.
