Stainless Steel Maintenance and Cleaning:
Beautiful
and resistant, stainless steel is a material of easy maintenance. Through
adequate and routine cleaning, it is possible to keep its original
characteristics unaffected, preserving its resistance to corrosion, appearance
and hygienic properties.
Proper cleaning is essential to achieving the stainless steel's maximum
resistance to corrosion. But remember: the key to your cleaning and maintenance
is in the products you use, the care with which you treat your stainless steel
sink and following the correct procedures.
Even in case of more resistant dirt, try to start cleaning with the softest
method. Be patient and repeat the operation a reasonable number of times before
applying more severe cleansing methods.
From mirror to satin finish, stainless steel allows a wide
variety of surface treatments. All stainless steel surface finishings require
the same cleansing and maintenance process. The same stainless steel that
decorates your home, carrying ease of care and beauty into the kitchens,
bathrooms and other areas, is also used, with great success, in industrial
facilities. However, the care with cleaning and maintenance in industrial
applications should be redoubled.
· Care and
Maintenance of Stainless Steel
The best products to
maintain the stainless steel are water, soap, soft and neutral detergents and
ammonia based removers, diluted in lukewarm water, and applied with a soft
cloth or nylon sponge. Then, just rinse with plenty of lukewarm water and dry
with a soft piece of cloth. Drying is extremely important to avoid the stains
on the surface of the product. This routine cleaning easily removes the most
common spots and its frequent application, almost always, removes the most
intense dirt, making the stains on the surface of the stainless steel disappear
completely.
In case of moderate dirt,
when the routine cleaning is not enough, apply a homemade mixture of plaster or
sodium bicarbonate, dissolved with alcohol until a paste is formed. Using a
soft cloth or a nylon sponge, apply this mixture to the surface of the
stainless steel. If you prefer, you can also use a brush with soft bristles. Be
careful not to scrub and scratch the sink's surface. Use always the softest way
possible. Use long, light and uniform brush strokes. In case the sink is
polished, brush in the same direction as the original polishing. Avoid
scrubbing with circular movements. Then, just rinse with plenty of water,
preferentially lukewarm water, and dry with a soft cloth.
In case of intense dirt,
use pre-immersion in lukewarm or hot water with detergent, or in a homemade
solution of ammonia and water. If this procedure is not enough to soften burnt
food or carbonized deposits, use more aggressive products such as caustic soda
based removers that are normally used for domestic cleaning. Follow the
procedure explained for removing moderate dirt, repeat it if necessary, and
only if the dirt persists, use a more severe method, with the help of more
abrasive products such as saponaceous. Finally, rinse the stainless steel's
surface and follow the steps for routine cleaning.
· Nitric acid
is Stainless Steel's Friend
The nitric acid (HNO3) is the only mineral acid that can
be used to clean stainless steel. Only use nitric acid when the procedures
above are unable to remove stains in the stainless steel's surface. However, avoid
its contact with other metals, especially with aluminum and copper, which are
used commonly in kitchen utensils. The recommended nitric acid concentration is
10% (i.e., 90% water and 10% HNO3).
Remember to use rubber gloves and proper eye protection. Keep the solution in a
glass container, away from the reach of children. In case of accidental contact
with the skin, wash it with water in abundance.
· Solutions
for Some of the More Common Problems
Clean the thick deposits with a soft piece of cloth or paper towel. Then, use a
lukewarm solution of detergent or ammonia. After this has been done, follow the
routine cleaning procedure.
Remove with a soft piece
of cloth or paper towel dampened in isopropyl alcohol (found in manipulation
pharmacies) or in an organic solvent (benzene or ether). Reduce the chances of
new finger marks occurring by applying a domestic wax or a liquid vaseline
based polisher onto the clean and completely dried surface of the stainless
steel sink.
Remove the label as best
as you are able to. Then, use lukewarm water and scrub it with a soft piece of
cloth. If the sticker persists, dry and scrub it softly with alcohol or an
organic solvent. But be careful never to scrape the surface of the stainless
steel with blades, spatulas or thick abrasives.
Some stain marks, with a
circle around the outline, indicate that some fragment of common steel became
stuck to the surface of the stainless steel. With a q-tip soaked in water and
nitric acid (at a concentration of 10%), apply the solution to its surface,
keeping the area dampened for 20 to 30 minutes. Repeat the operation if
necessary. Stronger stain marks will require vigorous scrubbing of the stained
surface with a homemade paste of domestic abrasive (saponaceous), water and
nitric acid at 10% concentration, using a polishing sponge. After the surface
treatment with acid, always rinse with an ammonia solution or sodium bicarbonate
and then perform the "routine cleaning procedure".
· Preserving
the Stainless Steel's Original Characteristics
Other than the normal stainless
steel cleaning and maintenance procedures, there are some precautions that
should be observed in order to preserve the stainless steel's original
characteristics:
Acid and Chemical Products
Acid
and chemical products for swimming pool, battery acid, muriatic acid, paint
removers and similar acids damage the surface of the stainless steel and
therefore should be avoided. Bleachers and hypochlorite can be used occasionally
in basins or sinks if diluted in water in low concentrations. Use cold or
lukewarm water instead of hot or boiling water.
Cleaning products
Polishers
and saponaceous abrasives should only be used in extreme cases because they can
damage the stainless steel's surface.
Food and Ingredients
Avoid
long-lasting contact of the stainless steel surface with highly concentrated
solutions of salt, especially at high temperatures.
Common steel
Do not allow common steel or iron
objects to get in touch with the stainless steel, especially if they are humid
or wet. The use of steel wool or steel sponges - whose rust can stain, or even
damage, the stainless steel's surface - should be avoided. In case the
stainless steel gets in contact with humid iron or common steel, rinse with
water in abundance..
