Stainless steel makes for a beautiful and exceptionally durable material for any custom fabrication in your home or business, but like all good things in life, proper maintenance is a must if you want to keep things not just good, but great.
What steps can you take to ensure that your stainless steel is well maintained? Read on below for some quick tips for some sticky situations.
Routine Cleaning
High-traffic areas call for routine cleaning, but with stainless steel surfaces clean-up is easy:
- Wipe with mild detergent and warm water
- Rinse with clean water
- Wipe dry in the direction that the stainless steel was polished
Removing Fingerprints
Regular handling of stainless steel products such as cabinets or railings can leave behind fingerprints, but with a few simple steps you can have them cleared in no time:
- Use Citrus based degreaser (ie. Orange blast) diluted with water (10% degreaser / 90% water) or other commercial cleaners. Note: Always test in an inconspicuous area before applying it.
- Rinse with clean water
- Wipe dry in the direction that the stainless steel was polished
Removing Stains, Discolouration, or Light Scratches
In extreme cases, even stainless steel products can find themselves scratched or discolored, but thanks to their great durability they can bounce back with ease:
- Use a fine “Scotchbrite” (nylon) pad rubbing along the grain lines and not at right angles to them.
- Rinse well with mild detergent and warm water.
- Wipe dry in the direction that the stainless steel was polished
What NOT to do
Do not rub stainless steel with steel wool as it can cause problems with the stainless steel surface. Some of the fine particles can lodge in the surface of the stainless and will eventually rust, giving the appearance that the stainless itself is rusting.
Enjoy the durability and easy maintenance of stainless steel.
With minimal care, it will last a lifetime.