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April 10, 2024
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How to Clean Stainless Steel: 13 Safe Ways and Essential Care

On the stove, the fridge, the pots, the cutlery? Stainless steel is present in most homes, whether in furniture, appliances, utensils and objects in general.

The reasons for this are many: Rose Moraes, personal organizer and consultant at Kiiro Organizes and Simplifies, comments that the stainless steel has a chrome coating that gives the atmosphere air of sophistication and modernity. "The material is still one of the toughest, and is sustainable because it has a long service life and does not require the use of cleaning chemicals (and thus does not harm the environment)," he adds.

Rose explains that the chrome film is responsible for the resistance of stainless steel to oxidation and rust. Therefore, this type of material requires special care when cleaning. Otherwise, the stainless steel will be susceptible to scratches and stains.

Check out the main guidelines for cleaning stainless steel and tips for keeping your stainless steel products much longer!

1. Water + detergent for routine cleaning

Rose points out that the best products for routine cleaning of stainless steel are mild water and mild detergents, associated with the use of microfiber cloth or nylon sponge (soft part, always).

Read also: 40 cleaning tricks for those who hate wasting time cleaning

Step by step: Make a slightly concentrated solution of neutral detergent with warm water and apply it with a microfiber cloth or nylon sponge with firm and uniform movements, ensuring that the entire surface has been covered. After this procedure, rinse immediately, before the solution dries, wipe with a damp cloth, and finish drying with an absorbent cloth. "Don't forget to dry all the pieces well to avoid stains left by water droplets," adds the personal organizer.

2. Baking Soda + Alcohol for Moderate Dirt

Rose explains that when routine cleaning (water + detergent) is not enough, the tip is to dissolve baking soda in household alcohol.

Step by step: mix both ingredients together to form a paste. Then, using a soft cloth or nylon sponge, wipe the surface of the stainless steel. • If you prefer, also use a soft bristle brush with long, even strokes towards the polished finish, if any. Avoid rubbing with circular motions as they can cause irreversible damage ?, adds the personal organizer. Then just rinse with plenty of water, preferably warm, and dry with a soft cloth.

3. Vinegar + baking soda + heavy dirt alcohol

In heavier cleanings, the personal organizer's tip is to use white alcohol vinegar as well as baking soda and home alcohol.

Step by step: Mix the ingredients, dilute the mixture in warm water and, with a soft microfiber cloth or a nylon kitchen sponge (with the soft / yellow part), apply the mixture over the stainless steel. At the end of cleaning, flush with plenty of water, preferably warm and dry with a soft cloth.

Read also: 50 tricks every housewife needs to know

4. Baking soda + water to polish stainless parts

Rose explains that a paste made only of baking soda and water can be used to polish and clean stainless steel parts that will be shiny and spotless! This goes for every item with stainless steel, including the stove.

Step by step: Make a paste using baking soda and some water and gently rub in the desired location using a microfiber cloth or the yellow (soft) part of the sponge. Then remove with water.

5. Baking solution to remove food scraps

Rose explains how to remove burnt and encrusted food scraps from stainless steel appliances using only hot water and baking soda.

Step by step: Soak the utensils in a solution with two tablespoons of baking soda and 500 ml of water. "Another way to remove stubborn dirt is to make a baking soda paste and alcohol and use a soft brush to spread the paste in the direction of polishing utensils," he adds.

6. Baking soda to clean baking sheets

Is your stainless steel baking sheet already burned? Baking soda can once again be an ally, according to Rose.

Read also: How to do a careful cleaning in the house

Step by step: You can cover the burned area of the baking pan with baking soda, moisten it with water and let it stand for about two hours. The dirt will come out effortlessly and will still leave the treated part glowing. "This form of cleaning can be used on aluminum, stainless steel and glass parts, as well as cleaning the taps," says the personal organizer.

7. Vegetable oil for shine

Rose points out that using vegetable oil is cool for anyone who wants to add extra shine to their refrigerator or stainless steel stove.

Step by step: After cleaning and drying, take a dry cloth and dampen a little bit of cooking oil (without smearing) and buff the appliances in a circular motion.

8. Vinegar + water to clean pans

Most people already recognize that vinegar is an excellent cleaning product. Rose points out that it is potent because it has a high concentration of acetic acid, which degreases, disinfects, gives shine and eliminates odors. "The most suitable for cleaning purposes is alcohol white, as it is neutral and without dyes," he says.

Step by step: To clean the stainless steel pans, pour water and four tablespoons of vinegar, bring the mixture to a boil. Allow it to cool and then wash the pans again only with water and mild detergent.

Read also: How to clean the microwave: step by step and tricks that will make a difference

9. Vinegar to remove fat from the stove

Rose comments that after frying, usually, even with detergent, the fat takes time to come out. This is where vinegar can help!

Step by step: Put a little vinegar on the fat of the stove or skillet and leave for about 15 minutes before cleaning begins. Then just rub with mild soap and a sponge.

10. Vinegar to remove stains

Vinegar can be used on its own to remove stains, even those left by water, that often fall and stain the stove.

Step by step: Soak a microfiber cloth with vinegar and wipe the stainless steel part. Then rinse well and dry with a soft cloth. The tip goes even for cleaning stainless steel hood. You may first rinse with an ammonia-based degreaser, rinse, and then rinse with vinegar. Finally, pass again a cloth with water ?, directs Rose.

11. Lemon for efficient cleaning

Rose explains that, just like baking soda, lemon juice can be used to clean stainless steel because it is naturally acidic, which makes it effective for cleaning.

Step by step: moisten a soft cloth with lemon juice and iron it on the steel to remove debris. Rinse with water and then dry the surface with a dry towel.

12. Vaseline to prevent stains

Rose explains that petroleum jelly can be used to help prevent stainless surfaces from becoming full of fingerprints. "It allows you to form a thin layer of wax that will keep surfaces free of grease stains," he says.

Step by step: Using a soft cloth, apply liquid Vaseline over the already clean and dry place, always with gentle movements.

13. Olive oil to keep pans cleaner

Olive oil can be used in stainless steel pans to keep them clean and to facilitate routine cleaning, according to Rose.

Step by step: Spray the pots with olive oil before cooking. This makes the food not sticky, making subsequent cleaning much easier.

Good tips for cleaning your stainless products you already have? But check out the necessary daily care with this material!

Tips for conserving your stainless steel objects and furniture

For stainless products to actually have a long shelf life, some care is essential. Check out the top tips from personal organizer Rose:

Never use steel wool to clean stainless steel as it scratches the part irreversibly.
Use microfiber cloths or paper towels for cleaning and finishing.
Clean stainless parts frequently so dirt and grease can be removed more easily.
Do not wait more than six hours between end of use and cleaning of stainless steel, as after this period cleaning will be difficult and in some cases damage may be irreversible.
Never use aluminum foil to cover stainless parts.
When cleaning on stoves, always allow the nozzles and oven to cool before starting any type of cleaning.
Always dry stainless steel, this is also extremely important to prevent surface stains.
Store stainless steel utensils and / or objects in a safe place away from dust.
When storing, do not stack stainless steel pans, which may scratch each other.
One option is to hang the pans, thus preventing them from being scratched, while giving an extra touch of decor to the kitchen.
In stainless steel cookware, use only silicone or wood cutlery when cooking.
Avoid leaving foods too salty on stainless surfaces, as salt is a substance that can corrode stainless steel.