Out of the many finishes, colors, and textures you can choose for your kitchen, nothing is as beautiful and resistant as stainless steel. However, as tough as stainless steel looks, it still needs cleaning and care.
Do you wonder if you are cleaning those shiny surfaces properly? Follow these five stainless steel cleaning tips to keep your appliances spotless.
Tip #1. Use warm water for light cleaning
Sometimes, all you need is a quick wipe to remove light residue from your appliances. Cleaning your slightly dirty steel is pretty straightforward; you’ll only need a lint-free, soft cloth dampened in warm water.
Note: If you want to avoid leaving streaks on the surface, make sure you wipe in the direction of the grain. Then, get a second cloth and wipe your appliances dry. Good as new!
Tip #2. Deal with grease using dish soap
Dish soap works for cleaning nasty residue or sticky spills on your stainless steel appliances. You only need to drop a dash of soap in a quarter of water and dip a soft cloth. Don’t forget to wipe in the direction of the grain! Then, dry with a clean cloth to avoid moisture.
Tip #3. Scrub hard residue with baking soda
In time, patches of residue will set on your surfaces, and you might be tempted to scrape the stains off. Fortunately, there’s no need to risk your appliances; you can trust baking soda for dissolving gunk and grime.
Make a scrubbing paste in seconds by adding enough water to the baking soda. Then, apply the paste directly to the residue and scrub the stain off. Finish up by wiping the surface with a damp cloth.
Pro tip: You don’t need to buy a special brush to scrub your appliances. Instead, you can use an old toothbrush for detailed scrubbing.
Tip #4. Avoid undiluted harsh chemicals
It might seem easy to pour strong cleaners directly on stainless steel, but if you do, you will find soon enough that it is a big mistake.
Steel appliances are tough but not indestructible, so it’s better to keep ammonia and bleach away. Sure, they might effectively kill germs and viruses, but the stainless steel will start to break down, giving way to pitting and rusting.
Tip #5. Polish stainless steel after cleaning
Products like WD-40 have many uses, and chances are you have one in the garage or inside your toolbox. Maybe you should bring the can to the kitchen because it can help appliances keep their shine. Just apply a little bit of lubricant on a cloth and buff your stainless steel surfaces. Then, remove the excess with a clean cloth.
Note: Some homeowners might not want to spray WD-40 near where they handle food, and they might have a point. This lubricant leaves a petroleum-based residue that can stick to your plates, cutlery, and food. If you are looking for an alternative to WD-40, try this olive oil hack.
Learn more cleaning tips from Happy Home Cleaning Services!
Do you want to clean your home like the pros? Then, you should read our blog to find tips, tricks, and methods to be on top of your home cleaning.
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