When was stainless steel discovered?
Stainless steel is a very durable material discovered in the early 20th century. It is an alloy, i.e. a homogeneous mixture of metals, of iron and carbon with a minimum of 10 to 12% chromium. Chromium gives it a shiny appearance and provides it with its main quality: resistance to oxidation. It may also contain other metals such as nickel, tungsten or molybdenum.
It is one of the most versatile materials in existence with an infinite number of applications in different industries such as automotive, food production and storage, transportation, construction, household appliance manufacturing and even the textile industry, among others.
Curiosities of stainless steel
In fact, it is a material that can be woven as a stainless steel thread can be made from which to manufacture clothing and accessories. It is used in garments such as tactile gloves, which are capable of conducting electricity in such a way as to allow the use of a cell phone while wearing gloves.
In addition, it is a material that expands and contracts. Despite being highly resistant to temperature changes, it has the ability to expand and contract if exposed to strong changes. It is for this reason that the construction industry must take into account its thermal expansion when considering its use in large structures.
Another of its singularities is its magnetism. Depending on its alloys, its properties are modified and it can become a magnetic metal or not.
Finally, it is a 100% recyclable material, which is a great advantage for the environment due to its numerous benefits. According to Ferros Texar, “specifically, in Spain, we already recycle 84.8% of steel, making us the country that recycles the most steel in the European Union, behind Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany”. (Click HERE to access the rest of the article).
Thus, because of all these singularities and its properties, stainless steel has become one of the most widely used materials for a multitude of applications. It is common to find it in our kitchens, bathrooms and different places of our home. However, despite its strength and durability, it is a material sensitive to stains and about which there is still a certain lack of knowledge about its treatment and maintenance. In this article we bring you 8 homemade tricks to clean stainless steel, as well as several indications to keep it shiny and looking good.
What to clean stainless steel with?
SOAPY WATER
A microfiber cloth or sponge dampened in warm, soapy water is a good resource for cleaning kitchen cabinets or small bathroom appliances. There is also the possibility of using detergent in case you want to degrease stainless steel surfaces such as cooktops or hoods.
WHITE VINEGAR
White vinegar not only gets rid of stubborn marks, but also removes limescale. It is a good solution for cleaning bathroom surfaces such as faucets, sink, shower, etc. and restoring their shine.
To do this, simply use a cloth soaked in a mixture of water and white vinegar in equal parts. It is important that it is white vinegar and never use pure vinegar since this one is too aggressive and could damage the stainless steel.
OLIVE OIL AND LEMON
This is an all-natural mixture that provides a gentle cleaning. The astringent properties of the lemon will remove stains while the olive oil will bring back the shine to surfaces that are a little dull. To do this, simply mix the juice of a lemon with olive oil and use a damp sponge or cloth to apply the mixture. This is a very good option to make fingerprints disappear quickly.
In case you only want to restore the shine of stainless steel surfaces or utensils you can apply a little olive oil on a cloth and rub with it.
CLAY STONE
Also known as white stone, it is a very effective natural and ecological solution for cleaning and polishing all stainless steel surfaces. To proceed with its use, it is necessary to add a little water on a sponge and add a little of the product to rub. In case of wanting to accentuate the polishing, sparkling water can be used. It is necessary to rinse with hot water and clean with a dry cloth.
WATER AND FLOUR
It is a homemade resource and easy to apply. It is enough to sprinkle the object or stainless steel surface to be cleaned with flour and then wipe it with a damp cloth and finish rinsing. There is also the possibility of placing the flour directly on the sponge previously moistened with water, rub, rinse and dry.
The flour can be replaced by talcum powder to obtain the same result.
SODIUM BICARBONATE
Baking soda is a product whose cleaning qualities are widely known. Indeed, it is also useful for cleaning stainless steel. To do this, it will suffice to dilute a little baking soda in hot water and wipe the stainless steel surfaces with the mixture soaked in a sponge. Another sponge soaked only in hot water or a microfiber cloth can be used to rinse the product.
HOUSEHOLD ALCOHOL
It is common knowledge that alcohol is a powerful disinfectant that can be used to clean and disinfect objects, surfaces and even wounds. However, it has one major drawback: its strong odor persists after washing and can be unpleasant both during and after use.
Nevertheless, its effectiveness is undeniable, as the alcohol removes all traces of dirt. In addition, in the case of stainless steel, it helps to enhance and restore the shine. It can be a good choice for cleaning countertops, cabinets or stainless steel surfaces and is a very effective method for removing fingerprints. It should be noted that for utensils or surfaces that will be in direct contact with liquids or food, it would be preferable to use another method for cleaning.
Its use is simple, just soak a soft cloth with water and a few drops of alcohol and use it to rub stainless steel surfaces. The result will be a deep cleaning without the need for rinsing.
NEWSPRINT
We finish the list with one of the oldest and easiest to apply tips that compose it. To restore the shine to stainless steel it is enough to use a simple sheet of newspaper and rub the surface to be polished with small circular movements.
How to remove stains from stainless steel?
In the kitchen, stainless steel is easily stained. Limescale, oil, grease, food remains…. There is something for everyone. Fortunately, with a few tips and the right products, it is very easy to say goodbye to stains on stainless steel.
Limescale stains
They are usually found on stainless steel sinks. To remove them in an instant, simply pour a few drops of dishwashing detergent on a sponge dampened with warm water. Gently rub the surface until the stain disappears. Use the soft side of the sponge, not the scraper. Wipe with a dry microfiber cloth to remove all residue.
Black stains
To remove black stains that can form on stainless steel surfaces, nothing beats glycerin. Apply a mixture of one tablespoon of glycerin, three drops of oil and one drop of black soap on a sponge. Rub with the sponge until the stains are completely removed. To finish, wipe the surface with a dry microfiber cloth.
Grease stains
To remove grease stains from a stainless steel surface, pour a few drops of degreasing liquid on a sponge and scrub. Glass cleaner is also very effective for this type of stain. Once again, finish by blotting the surface with a dry microfiber cloth.
How to remove scratches from stainless steel?
We must keep in mind that we are talking about superficial scratches. In this case there is the possibility of using a polisher to remove them. It is enough to apply a little polish with a soft cloth and rub until the scratch disappears. It will be necessary to make sure that the surface is completely dry, otherwise stains may occur.
How to maintain stainless steel on a daily basis?
Stainless steel is a very resistant material but it can easily become stained and marked. To avoid this, it is important not to let dirt accumulate and to polish it regularly.
One of the best methods to protect it and thus avoid stains and scratches is beeswax. A thin layer should be applied to stainless steel with a chamois or soft cloth, which will provide an effective protective layer and improve its resistance.
In conclusion we can state that stainless steel is a material with a multitude of applications and benefits but it requires some maintenance. For this, it is important to use products that do not scratch its surface. Therefore, abrasive sponges or scouring pads should be avoided and microfiber cloths should be used instead.
Just as we share with you several tips for cleaning and polishing, it is vitally important to know which products to avoid so as not to damage stainless steel:
In general, the following products should be avoided:
Powder detergents (can cause scratches).
Silver cleaners (may cause corrosion)
Bleaches, disinfectants and other chlorinated derivatives (can cause corrosion)
At Simex we have a wide variety of products manufactured in stainless steel to ensure the highest quality. With good care and maintenance, they are easily positioned among the most durable and resistant products in the market.
Check out our catalog by clicking HERE.
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