General maintenance and cleaning of stainless steel products
Stainless steel is stain resistant, hygienic and easy to clean making it the ideal choice for many household products as well as industrial applications. Routine gentle cleansing will ensure that stainless steel will retains its properties and appearance through many years of constant daily use.
| PROBLEM | SOLUTION | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|
| Routine cleaning all grades and finishes |
Use mild detergent (such as SUNLIGHT LIQUID®) in warm water, applied with a soft cloth or synthetic sponge. Rinse in hot water and dry with a soft cloth or allow to 'drip' dry. The 3M Stainess Steel Cleaner & Polish works well for general cleaning of stainless that is not in direct contact with food & bev. | Do not use: course abrasive powders, metallic scourers, silver or brass cleaners |
| Fingerprints all grades and finishes |
Pre-treat marks with alcohol or organic solvent. Follow by routine cleaning as above. The 3M Stainess Steel Cleaner & Polish works well for general cleaning of stainless that is not in direct contact with food & bev. | Minimise re-occurance by applying a wax or silicone baswshousehold polish to the clean, dry surface |
| Stubborn stains & discoloration all grades except coloured s/steel |
Use a small amount of creamy paste of mild household abrasive cleaner on cloth wetted with detergent solution as for routine cleaning. Rinse and dry | Repeat several times rather than resorting to a siingle aggressive clean. If stains persist, use a fine synthetic scouring pad instead of a cloth to rub gently. |
| Watermarks/lime scale deposits from hard water |
Prolonged soaking in a 25% Vinegar solution will loosen the deposit. Rub with a nylon bristled brush or fine synthetic scouring pad. Continue cleaning as for food stains. | Can usually be prevented by regular routine cleaning. Do not allow excessive build-up before treating. |
| Rust marks usually due to contact with ferrous materials |
Swab with sponge wetted with a dilute (10-15%) solution of nitric acid followed by routine cleaning. | Avoid contact with ferrous materials. Diluted nitric acid is the only acid which is safe to be used on stainless steel. |
| Dark oxide scale usually from welding or heat tints |
Use pickling paste/liquid and thorough water rinsing, followed by routine cleaning. Our Stainox 'N' or Pelox pickling paste or spray works well for cleaning dark oxide scale | Slight heat tints may be removed by repeated application as for Stubborn Stains & Discolouration |
| Scratches on polished surfaces |
Use pickling and passivating with thorough water rinsing, followed by routine cleaning. | Slight heat tints may be removed by repeated application as for Stubborn Stains & Discolouration |
| Grease, fat and oil on all surfaces |
Wipe off excess with soft paper towel. Use a water borne or water-soluble degreasing agent. Or pre-soak in warm detergent. Follow by Routine Cleaning. The 3M Stainess Steel Cleaner & Polish works well for removing greasy marks | |
| Adhesive labels on all surfaces |
Remove labels by soaking in a hot soapy solution and rubbing with a cloth or sponge. If adhesive remains, remove with a soft cloth soaked in alcohol (Methylated Spirits) or an organic solvent (Benzene). Follow with routine cleaning. |