Whether it’s the sink or your fridge door, stainless steel looks best when it’s shiny. Of course, it’s completely normal for the shine to become dull over time. And because it can take some time and effort to restore it, people leave that to the cleaning services in Wasilla, AK, as it’s an affordable way to make everything shiny and clean.
Stainless steel is a sturdy and durable material that makes your kitchen look industrial and modern. But just like with every shiny surface, it can easily become cloudy if not maintained regularly. While a housekeeper would take care of the problem on a weekly basis, there are people who’d like to learn how to do it themselves.
How do you clean cloudy stainless steel?
Before we get to the cleaning part, it’s important to know what causes the stainless steel to become cloudy and how you can minimize and prevent the problem. Hard water is one of the biggest causes of a cloudy stainless steel sink, but can easily be cleaned off.
The other one is the use of abrasive cleaners, which can scratch the surface, and therefore make it cloudy. Luckily, the scratches can be buffed out and polished, but it’s better to find a strong cleaning agent that is EPA-approved, so the stainless steel and nature will be thankful.
How do you restore stainless steel?
Making the stainless steel shine again takes a few simple steps:
- Clean the surface with dish soap and a kitchen sponge.
- For stubborn stains, use super fine steel wool and gently scrub.
- Wash off the residue and cover the surface with a clean cloth soaked in white vinegar.
- Remove the cloth after waiting at least 20 minutes and dry it with another cloth.
The important thing to remember here is not to let the stainless steel air dry after you’ve cleaned it, as it can leave streaks and hard water spots, just like on the glass.
An extra tip for cleaning the stainless steel is to take a good look at the surface. If it has a grain, make sure to wipe in its direction, to avoid cross-scratches or a messy-looking surface. You can also buff it out and make it shine like a mirror. All you need is a microfiber cloth and a bit of a car polishing compound.
Is vinegar OK to clean stainless steel?
Vinegar is the perfect cleaning agent for stainless steel, as well as tile grout. The mild acidic nature of this product makes it an excellent stain remover and disinfectant. However, you should be well informed about the types of materials that you can use vinegar on.
It may be safe for eating and removing carpet stains, but certain types of stone, like marble, do not react well to it. Aside from vinegar, rubbing alcohol can be great for cleaning and restoring the shine, as it removes the mineral residue from hard water with ease.
What is not recommended to clean stainless steel?
Despite its innate durability, stainless steel is not indestructible. In fact, it can be damaged (relatively) easily – just by using the wrong cleaning products and tools. Let’s see what these are so you know to avoid them.
Products to avoid when cleaning stainless steel:
- Bleach: Not only is it inefficient for cleaning, but bleach can also discolor or cloud stainless steel, making it a definitive no-go.
- Abrasive cleaners: Solutions that contain abrasive particles can scratch the surface and leave behind residues, so you’ll have to add buffing/polishing to your to-do list, in addition to re-cleaning.
- Strong acidic cleaners: Some common household cleaners contain strong acidic compounds that can etch or dull stainless steel. Such is the case with heavy-duty descalers that contain Hydrochloric acid or rust removers that contain Phosphoric acid.
- Harsh chemicals: Strong detergents, ammonia or ammonia-based products, oven cleaners, and saline solutions may damage the metal, and cause streaking and rusting.
Tools to avoid for stainless steel cleaning:
- Abrasive sponges or scrubbers: Things like coarse steel wool and scouring pads can destroy stainless steel – especially if paired with any of the aforementioned cleaners.
- Metal-bristled or wire brushes: These tools can easily scratch the metal surfaces and they can leave behind tiny particles of iron, causing rusting.
- Metal scrapers: Useful as they may be for other purposes, metal scrapers are ill-suited for steel cleaning as they can easily gouge or scratch its surface.
- Sandpaper: Unless it is extremely finely granulated (i.e., 1000 grit or higher) – and you know exactly what you’re doing – wet/dry sandpaper should be completely avoided.
How do you keep stainless steel in good condition?
One thing to understand about stainless steel: it won’t look good as-is. You’ll have to maintain it to ensure it retains its shine through regular cleaning (i.e., once a month), either by following the instructions we provided or leaving it in the capable hands of cleaning services in Wasilla, AK.
In addition, you should polish it every once in a while to ensure the shine lasts longer and that the surface is well-protected. This can be achieved using certain oils, such as petroleum jelly, mineral oil, or a special type of stainless steel oil.
Finally, when storing stainless steel items, opt for a dry and well-ventilated area. This can help reduce the accumulation of dust and bacteria, as well as the risk of corrosion, thereby preserving its integrity, finish, and overall lifespan.
Are you in need of cleaning services in Wasilla, AK?
When you have so many different types of surfaces and materials to take care of, it can easily happen that you forget which one can be cleaned with what kind of product. Don’t waste your time and call White Lilac Cleaning! We can make every sink and stainless steel fridge in Wasilla shine like it’s brand new. Contact us today and relax near Lucile Lake because we’re here for you!