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Ezine ready page
Ezine ready page
Posted on April 1, 2006 by Tyron Tollett | Posted under Consumer Electronics
What You Need To Know Before You Buy A Stainless Steel Cleaner
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Before you go crazy buying products think simple and try easy cleaning solutions. There are simple solutions such as using a mild detergent such as liquid dishwashing soap and you can use glass cleaners like Windex to remove fingerprints without spending a great deal on special cleaners. Before you pick a stainless cleaner read the directions then you can determine which is best for your specific application. It will also give you an idea about how much product you need to clean a specific area. You also need to read the ingredient to make sure there is no chlorine in the product. Chlorine and stainless are mortal enemies. Chlorine will actually damage the stainless steel very easily yet many of the cleaners designed for stainless have chlorine in them. Perhaps a marketing scheme to put you back in the appliance market. Whenever you buy a new product always test it on a small area that is inconspicuous to make sure that it works well and that there are no adverse reactions. So here's what you need to know about stainless steel and the cleaners. 1. Shine It - A shiny finish is really quite easy and does not need any special products. Lots of water, a mild soap, and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth to make sure there are no streaks.2. Stains - Clean regularly to make sure stains don't build up.3. Scratches - Stainless can scratch if you rub too aggressively to don't drag rough stuff across it and don't let grit get trapped.4. Discoloration - Stainless can discolor if it comes in contact with the wrong materials such as salts, acids, carbon steel, or bleach. Know what affects stainless and how.5. Stubborn Stains - For stubborn grease or oil marks use glass cleaner, rubbing alcohol, or even acetone. Then rinse with water and dry with a soft cloth.6. Tea or Coffee - Discoloration from tea or coffee can be lifted by using baking powder and boiling water. Rinse and then dry properly.7. Label It - Sticky labels can be a real problem if you don't remove them properly leaving you with a thin glue residue. You can heat with a hair dryer to soften the clue or you can use a cleaner that has eucalyptus in it. Do not use a scouring pad.8. Rust - Rust can occur if stainless is left wet and not properly dried. You may have to use a stainless cleaner that contains oxalic acid, sulphamic acid, or phosphoric acid. If that doesn't work you will need to call in the pros.9. Paint - Use a soft toothbrush to gently brush away paint splatters. If that doesn't work use paint stripper following the directions provided. Acetone may also work.10. Against The Grain - never rub stainless in the direction that is opposite of the metal's grain or you will wreck the finish and the shine. You could also land up with corrosion. So make sure you know the direction you need to work.11. Scouring Pads - Never ever use steel wool on your stainless because it will leave behind fine particles that can cause rusting on the surface.12. Hard water - too often a cleaner is blamed for water spots which more often than not are a result of the minerals in hard water. You will need to wipe dry to avoid these spots forming.13. Olive Oil - To remove streaks from your stainless sinks rub with olive oil.14. Vinegar - If you want a cheap effective stainless polish just wet your towel with white vinegar and wipe. It will also work to remove heat stains.15. Club Soda - Use club soda to remove heat stains or streaks on your stainless. Now let's look at some tips for specific stainless items. Let's start with your sinks. If you put one of those Rubbermaid sink mats in the bottom you will reduce the amount of scratching your sink gets. Use a mild dishwashing soap or baking soda and water to clean. Rinse and then polish with a soft cloth. Never ever use steel wool or any rough scouring pad on your sink because it will scratch it. If you want to shine up you sink use white vinegar then polish dry. Flatware is washed by hand or placed in the dishwasher. Always rinse off any salt or acid if the silverware isn't going to be washed right away. If you use powder dishwasher detergent do not let the dry detergent touch the stainless flatware. Don't put stainless flatware and silver flatware together as the silver will get wrecked. Utensils can become discolored because they are heated or food can become stuck on them. Don't use stainless wool or abrasive cleaners. You can use a baking soda paste or a fine abrasive cleanser. And of course a stainless cleaner is fine to use. Remember some foods such as those that are salty, acidic, or those that contain milk products can cause staining. So although stainless steel cleaner is always an option check out all your other options too. About The Author: Tyron is a professional writer and writes about various different subjects. One of his favourite subject is stainless steel. Visit the website at http://www.stainless-steel-now.com to get more information about various different stainless steel products available in the market. |
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