Stainless steel is a popular material for common housewares and has remained a trendy metal for kitchen tools, appliances, and bathroom fixtures for decades. You may not even realize how much stainless steel you actually have in your home.
We love stainless steel for many reasons, one of which being its clean, classy, modern, and sleek appearance. When it comes to aesthetics, you really can’t go wrong with stainless steel. Did you know that steel is one of the most recycled materials on Earth? The American Iron and Steel Institute estimates that 88% of all the steel in the world is recycled, and nearly 69% of steel in North America is recycled each year.
While steel parts are more dent resistant and 30% stronger now than they were a decade ago, stainless steel is not indestructible. When it comes to maintaining steel items, don’t make the following mistakes.
3 Common Stainless Steel Mistakes
- Using abrasive cleaners that could scratch the steel’s surface: Stainless steel really does not need to be scrubbed to get clean. Scrubbing too hard can leave noticeable scratches depending on the surface finish of the item. Highly polished finishes tend to show blemishes, which can occur from rubbing too hard with an abrasive cleaning material.
- Failing to properly rinse: Gritty water can leave a visible residue on the steel’s finish. Make sure you always rinse completely in order to wash off any kind of cleaning product that could stick.
- Using chlorine: Steel suppliers advise that you never use bleach on stainless steel. Stay away from cleaners that may include even a little bit of chlorine as it can harm the material.
The best way to clean stainless steel is using warm water and a soft cloth. After rinsing, dry with a soft towel to prevent water spots. Microfiber cloths are the best to use because they are extremely effective at absorbing all the water and they will not scratch the surface and damage the finish.To be safe, use a stainless steel cleaner as opposed to other kinds of soaps and sanitizers. Some cleaners specific to this kind of steel have the added purpose of polishing the surfaces.
