Don't use steel wool on plastic surfaces or food storage containers—these will easily scratch up and make for breeding grounds for food stains and bacteria. For cleaning these bins, stick with warm soap and water. For targeting tough stains, try using diluted white vinegar and let your containers soak for a few hours.
It is ideal for polishing and cleaning delicate surfaces, including metals such as bronze, copper, chrome, stainless steel and aluminium, or with soapy water to clean and polish porcelain, marble and glass without marking.
The disadvantage of steel wool is that it can rust when it gets wet. This means it's not suitable for use between layers of water-based finishes or paint. Small pieces of the wool often break off during the sanding or rubbing process, and any that are left behind could leave rust stains.
Stay away from steel wool and brushes. They will scratch the surface of your stainless steel and make it more susceptible to rusting and staining. Abrasive cleaners will scratch the surface and dull the finish. Bleach and cleaners with chlorine will stain and damage stainless steel.
0000-grade steel wool is recommended as it's less likely to scratch up the inside of a porcelain toilet.
No steel wool pads should ever be used on stainless steel sinks. The iron particles that are left behind can lead to rust and corrosion. For hard-to- clean projects, try a ScotchBrite type scouring pad when the job at hand requires a little extra effort, again in the direction of the grain.
Toilet stains
But—you guessed it—you shouldn't be using steel wool pads to remove stains inside your toilet bowl. “The porcelain is delicate and the pads may scratch the finish [beyond] repair,” says Justin Carpenter, owner of the Dallas house-cleaning service Modern Maids.
Editor's note: Of course, SOS pads are only one brand of steel wool cleaning pads, but their name has become one of the trademarked names that have become commonly used terms. This can apply to any similar type of soap-coated steel wool.
An S.O.S Soap Pad. The soap is the blue substance seen in the pad.
Non-woven abrasive pads (Scotch-Brite is one brand name) were a great alternative to steel wool, much like cassettes were way better than 8-track tapes. Steel wool leaves behind little bits of metal. If you work with white oak, those can react with the wood and stain it purple, and steel wool residue can also rust.
Grade 00 steel wire wool is the finest grade after grade 0000. It should be used to clean, smooth and prepare the wood or metal surfaces before you polish, wax or paint the surface. Using grade 00 steel wire wool with a suitable solvent will provide you with better results.
For heavy-duty stains, try using extra fine steel wool (#0000). It won't scratch the glass but will help dislodge mineral buildup. Wipe the door with a sheet of dry steel wool, going from top to bottom in a circular motion. This is one of our favorite shower cleaning hacks.
Never use a wire scrubber or steel wool on a glass baking dish. Although glass doesn't scratch easily, it still gets scratched, and also, using steel wool or wire scrubber reduces the dish's shine. Even an abrasive scrubber is not recommended most times but can be used gently.
You can use sandpaper wet or dry, but steel wool is most suitable for dry use as it is prone to rust. Steel wool will leave behind tiny pieces of metal, so be careful where you use it.
That's why Brillo is one of the most trusted names in household cleaning. Long-lasting soap pad with anti-rust formula has 29% more soap and 8% more steel wool than any other soap pad*. Iconic square shape allows the soap pad's unique bonded edges to easily reach tough messes in corners.
Brillo is a trade name for a scouring pad, used for cleaning dishes, and made from steel wool impregnated with soap.
Enter: Steel wool. This abrasive tool can remove built-up-grime and rust stains thanks to its collection of fine, sharp steel fibers that can range in width depending on the job you'll need it for.
Never use an abrasive cleaner or scouring pads while cleaning glass shower doors. Those products can scratch the surface. Use distilled white vinegar to clean shower glass before trying heavy-duty products with chemicals. Heat 1/2-cup undiluted vinegar in microwave for 30 seconds.
Try this: Swish a cup of vinegar around in the toilet bowl using a toilet brush, then add a cup of baking soda, followed by an additional cup of vinegar. Let the fizzing solution sit for 10 minutes. Use a toilet brush to scrub stains. Let mixture sit for a few more minutes and then flush.
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.
To avoid this, do not use wire brushes or steel wool to clean a porcelain sink. These are far too abrasive and will leave scratch marks. Any stain or mess that needs to be cleaned start by washing it with hot water, a soft sponge, and dish soap.