If you don’t know how to clean stainless steel, know that cheap and simple products we have at home help, such as detergent, vinegar and others.
Pans, appliances, objects and utensils… stainless steel is certainly present in many parts of the kitchen and bathroom today, as it is a decoration trend. However, there are those who believe that it is difficult to keep this type of material clean and maintained, but it is not difficult to clean stainless steel.
The stainless steel coating is chrome, which gives a touch of sophistication where it is placed, in addition to protecting the stainless steel from oxidation and, consequently, rust. Furthermore, this material is very resistant, has a long useful life and, therefore, does not require specific chemicals to be cleaned.
However, stainless steel has greater durability if sanitized and maintained correctly. However, it is not difficult or laborious to do this, as you do not need specific products or extreme brute force to leave the metal polished and scratch-free.
How to clean stainless steel: what to avoid
When cleaning stainless steel, it is important to pay attention to some basic recommendations. In short, cleaning sponges, soft bristle brushes, detergent, vinegar, baking soda and other simple components that we always have at home.
So, one of the first recommendations is to avoid the green, rougher side of the sponge when cleaning stainless steel, as it scratches the steel, causing it to lose its shine. Also, do not use abrasive products such as ammonia, alcohol, soapy water and solvents, as they will also damage the chromed part of the stainless steel.
Finally, use soft cloths, nylon sponges, neutral detergent and, if you prefer, specific products for stainless steel. This way, your utensil, appliance or object made of this metal will have shine and durability. Below, see tips on how to clean stainless steel.
How to clean stainless steel
There are different ways to clean stainless steel and practicalities for everyday life or for more heavy-duty cleaning. So, see the best techniques on how to clean stainless steel below.
stainless steel pans
Stainless steel pans tend to get stained by food and burnt. Therefore, if the pan has food stuck to it, leave it to soak in water and clean off the excess stuck food as normal. Then try this:
- Add water to the pan again and bring it to a boil;
- Mix a spoonful of baking soda and a spoonful of neutral detergent in this hot water;
- Once it boils, turn off the heat and let the mixture act for 15 minutes in the pan;
- Then, discard the water and wash the pan with a sponge, on the soft side, and neutral detergent.
As soon as you wash the pan, dry it with a dry, soft cloth, avoiding storing it dry to avoid staining. Finally, your stainless steel pan is clean.
Pia de inox
The stainless steel sink is something that is always present in kitchens. In short, it is not very different from cleaning stainless steel appliances. So, just clean it with hot water, detergent and, if you want, white vinegar, rinsing at the end and, if possible, dry.
How to clean stainless steel refrigerator
To keep your refrigerator always externally clean, the ideal is to clean the stainless steel weekly with a soft cloth along with a specific product for this material, always in the same direction as the stainless steel.
If the stainless steel refrigerator has a lot of stains and is dirty, simply put neutral detergent on a dry cloth, rub the stain, remove the foam formed with a damp cloth and, finally, dry the area with a paper towel.
Stainless steel hood, stoves and appliances
Stainless steel appliances that tend to be very greasy, such as hoods and stoves, and need to be cleaned regularly. So, specific products for this steel are valid, but bleach should be avoided, as well as soaked cloths.
Therefore, if the dirt is excessive, make a mixture of neutral detergent and warm water and rinse the appliance. Finally, simply wipe off the soap formed with a dry cloth. This way, how to clean stainless steel is simple.
How to clean stainless steel cutlery
Over time, stainless steel cutlery can also wear out from grease and dirt. So, the best way to clean stainless steel cutlery is to dip it in hot water with vinegar and let it soak. Finally, just wash each one of them and dry well.
Even so, if you notice that the cutlery is very dirty, you can leave it to soak in warm water with baking soda,
How to shine stainless steel
If you already have your stainless steel items clean but want to give them even more shine, such as taps, sinks and utensils, there are simple solutions. The first is to polish the steel with a soft cloth and detergent, always neutral. Then remove the product with a damp cloth.
The second tip for polishing stainless steel is to mix water and baking soda, forming a paste. With this, apply the mixture to the surface with a soft cloth or the soft side of the sponge, then remove it with a damp cloth and dry it with a dry cloth.
Furthermore, this baking soda mixture is also efficient when cleaning stainless steel baking trays, simply leaving them to soak in the mixture for two hours.
Thirdly, after cleaning the stainless steel utensils, you can polish them with vegetable oil or olive oil, rubbing with a soft cloth, to give the piece more shine.
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