Designers have often debated whether or not stainless steel will continue to reign supreme in kitchens or lose its appeal to glossy black or white appliances boasting sleek, smooth finishes.
While the debate continues, so does the popularity of stainless steel appliances and sometimes countertops and other kitchen elements. Whether you have a little or a lot of the shiny stuff, here’s what experts suggest you do about those fingerprints, and how to care for and clean one of the hardest-working surfaces in the house.
Aside from looking great and having a smooth, nonporous surface that hinders the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms, one of the reasons stainless steel is so widely used in professional kitchens is that it won’t rust easily in spite of daily wear and tear. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean rust and stains can’t happen. The experts at the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers say that if the protective film on stainless surfaces is scratched with a steel pad or wire brush, comes into contact with hard water that is allowed to puddle or sit, or is exposed to chlorides from household cleansers, it becomes vulnerable to damage.
Safety First
For safe care and cleaning, start with the right tools. The European Stainless Steel Development Association, or ESDA, suggests using soft sponges and microfiber cloths as the first line of defense.
Don’t clean with steel scouring pads, which can scratch. Instead choose plastic scrubbing pads for tough jobs.
Go With the Grain
On stainless steel surfaces with brushed or polished finishes, always wipe and scrub in the same direction as the “grain” lines in the metal.
Better With Age
The ESDA says in addition to the availability of an increasing number of fingerprint-proof finishes, regular stainless steel shows fewer fingerprints over time. Patience is a virtue.
Stainless Solutions
Whatever products you use to clean stainless steel appliances, the key is sticking to it, says Mindi DiNunno, owner ofPolished 2 Perfection. “Stay consistent,” she says. “Most cleansers don’t blend together well, and it makes it much harder to keep perfect. For appliances, we use CLR [Stainless Steel Cleaner]. It will clean off any hard-water stains from the water and ice dispenser and any drips or food.”
Naturally Clean
For a DIY approach to cleaning using pantry items, the sustainable-living team at Eartheasy advises dampening a cloth with undiluted white vinegar or olive oil and wiping in the direction of the grain.
To clean a stainless steel sink, it suggests pouring club soda on an absorbent cloth to scrub, then wiping dry.
Shine On
Spray cleansers made specifically for cleaning decorative stainless steel surfaces usually contain silicone oil, and although they will remove fingerprints and smudges, they will not prevent them. The ESDA says the silicone oil can be completely removed by washing with mild soap and water.
Using a polishing paste is another way to keep stainless steel appliances sparkling. Commercially sold pastes, such as 3M Marine Metal Restorer and Polish, will create a microscopic wax layer on the surface that will make it easy to clean. Since the pastes are resistant to detergents, treatment with a polishing paste may last several months. It can be removed using alcohol on a soft cloth.
It’s important to note that pastes and sprays meant for cleaning decorative stainless steel elements — refrigerator doors, kitchen backsplashes — should not be used on pots, pans or surfaces where food is prepared.
Do not use silver dip polishes, like the ones used for cleaning jewelry, because they are corrosive to stainless steel.
By: Bonnie McCarthy
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