Not Used To Stainless Steel Kitchens? 4 Tips For The Perfect Treatment
The new home you're cleaning has a stainless steel kitchen – including countertops and all appliances. It looks lovely, but you've never cleaned stainless steel before. Now, you're worried that you're going to mishandle the new kitchen.
Don't sweat it. Stainless steel may look like it's tough to take care of, but it's easy to keep stainless steel countertops and appliances looking brand new. Here are some easy-to-follow steps to keep the kitchen looking great.
Always Go with the Grain
When you're cleaning stainless steel, it's important to know which way the grain is going. You never want to go against the grain. Going with the grain will leave a deep shine without leaving noticeable scratches on the surface. Get familiar with your stainless steel and know which way the grain goes on all your stainless steel appliances and countertops.
Use Soft Cloths
If not cared for properly, stainless steel can get scratched and damaged. Never use scrubbing brushes or steel wool when cleaning your counters and appliances. Those products can scratch stainless steel and leave it susceptible to rust and corrosion. Instead, use soft cloths whenever you wipe down stainless steel appliances or countertops. Microfiber cloths work well at polishing stainless steel.
Wipe Water Away Immediately
Always wipe water and liquids up as soon as they come in contact with stainless steel. Water can leave hard water deposits on your counters, which are much harder to clean up than puddles of water. If you do see hard water spots on the stainless steel, you can remove them using the following method.
- Fill a spray bottle with warm water.
- Add 1 cup of distilled vinegar.
- Spray the hard water spots with the solution and allow it to sit for about 15 minutes.
- Wipe the area with a soft cloth.
- Repeat if necessary.
Leave a Lasting Shine
You want those stainless steel appliances to have a brilliant shine. You don't have to spend a fortune on polishes. You can give stainless steel a lasting shine by reaching for the olive oil. Simply place a few drops of olive oil on a damp cloth and wipe it across your stainless steel. Again, be sure to wipe with the grain to avoid scratches.
If you want to give your stainless steel a little extra polishing, you can contact a professional cleaning service, like Kathy's Quality Cleaning, Inc., to come and go over your kitchen regularly.
Even if you've never cleaned a stainless steel kitchen before, you can still clean it like a pro. Use the simple steps provided above to keep stainless steel appliances and counter tops looking brand new.