Ordinary carbon steel brushes or steel wool should be avoided as iron particles that are left behind can lead to rust and corrosion. Lastly, it is advisable to wipe the surface completely with clean dry towels so that the water does not evaporate and leave water spots.
'Never use wire wool or an abrasive pad to clean a stainless steel sink,' says Lucy Searle, global editor in chief of Homes & Gardens. 'These can scratch the material. ' Apply the dish soap solution with a sponge to clean, then rinse.
Make sure to use a 1:1 solution of distilled white vinegar and water. Spray it onto the sink, leave for a minute or two, then wipe and rinse. The solution shouldn't be left on the sink for longer because it can damage the stainless steel in the long term.
When considering the best way to clean your stainless steel sink, knowing what NOT to do is just as valuable as knowing what to do. Harsh abrasives, scouring powders or steel wool, as well as cleaning products containing chlorine, bleach and ammonia all have the potential to damage the finish.
Avoid cleaners that can damage steel and finishes. Instead, clean your stainless steel appliances with a dish soap like Dawn® Platinum. Its unique formula is tough enough to break up grease and grime while staying gentle on stainless steel surfaces.
Many stainless steel appliances include cleaning instructions that advise avoiding abrasive cleaners. When using Windex to clean stainless steel, it is essential to wipe in the direction of the metal grains. In addition, you may also use oil as a type of conditioner for stainless steel after cleaning it with Windex.
The passive layer on stainless steel can be attacked by certain chemical species. Chloride ion is the most common of these and is found in everyday materials such as salt and bleach. Harsh pitting corrosion is a localized damage that eats pits into stainless steel.
Use a clean, damp sponge or soft cloth. A mild abrasive cleaner such as *Cameo Stainless Steel Cleaner, or *Soft Scrub (without bleach) can be used, remembering to always wipe with the grain. More stubborn soils can be removed using a damp *Scotch-Brite pad. Be sure to rub evenly with the grain of the stainless steel.
Easy Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner Can Damage Stainless Steel Surfaces. Easy Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner, in the yellow can, says it is safe for stainless steel surfaces, but several people have experienced damage when they used it. You can read their stories, and see pictures of the damage here.
If the white spots are on a stainless steel sink, treat it in a similar way: Spray lemon juice or vinegar on the sink. Let it sit for up to 5 minutes, then sprinkle baking soda all over it. Wipe with a cloth.
Use water and a microfibre cloth
Good old-fashioned water and a microfibre cloth will remove most everyday smudges, but for more stubborn marks, choose a specialist cleaner designed for stainless steel. This will remove grease and grime while leaving a streak-free finish.
As consumers learned how to keep the surfaces of stainless steel appliances free of smudges and streaks by using the right cleaners and techniques, they discovered that stainless steel surfaces do get scratches over time from other metals hitting the surface, minerals in hard water, or over-abrasive cleaning.
Disinfecting wipes can be safely used on many different surfaces in various settings and environments. It's essential to always take a few moments to read the label first and, as mentioned earlier, check the guidelines of certain items you are disinfecting. Safe surfaces for disinfecting wipes include: Stainless steel.
To make: Start with a clean spray bottle. Pour in white vinegar, Blue Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent and water. Apply the spray top and shake to mix. To use: Shake to mix then spray it liberally on the stainless steel surface you want to clean.
Vinegar is safe to use on stainless steel and helps remove oil and grime. Fill a reusable spray bottle with a combination of 1:1 white vinegar and water. Spritz it on, and wipe it off — no need to rinse!
Skip the store-bought products and use distilled white vinegar as a homemade stainless steel cleaner. It's all you need to keep your stainless steel appliances, countertops, and sink looking great.
Allow the pan to cool completely before washing it.
Submerging or soaking a hot stainless steel pan in cold water could be the cause of irreparable warping.