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Avoid These Things to Keep Stainless Steel Spotless

At Handler, we build homes with luxury touches. One common thing you will see in our homes are stainless steel appliances. When they are gleaming and sparkling, stainless steel looks posh, but fingerprints and scratches can quickly take it from luxury to lack luster. If you have stainless steel in your home, here are a few things you should avoid doing when maintaining and cleaning it.

Steer Clear of Abrasive Cleaners

Stainless steel has a thin protective layer that coats the surface. This surface works to ward off damage and rust. When you use abrasive cleaners on your stainless steel, however, it eats away at this protective coating, leaving your steel surfaces subject to scars and rust. When cleaning your stainless steel, just be sure to steer clear of chemicals like feldspar, calcite, silica, and quartz.

Avoid Using Hard Water

If your stainless steel is plagued with persistent spots even after cleaning, the culprit could be your tap water. Hard water is notorious for leaving residue and build up behind on your surfaces. To combat this, always be sure to dry appliances completely after washing. If spots persist, you can take a clean cloth with a bit of white vinegar to it. This should remove stubborn spots.

Don’t Go Against the Grain

If you look closely at your stainless steel, you will notice lines in its appearance. If you clean and scrub against the natural grain, you risk scratching the surface. When you clean and scrub along with the grain, however, you make sure to clean within the grooves and preserve the appearance of the stainless steel at the same time.

Refuse to Use Abrasive Cleaning Tools

Although stainless steel is a popular choice because it is durable, that does not mean it is indestructible. As we mentioned, it is prone to sustaining scratches. Avoiding abrasive cleaners will help to prevent scratches but you should make sure to avoid using abrasive cleaning tools as well. Tools like steel wool are one in particular that can leave behind a lot of damage. The best thing to use to clean and polish your stainless steel surfaces is a clean microfiber cloth.

At the end of the day, stainless steel will remain beautiful for many years if you just know how to care for it properly. If you avoid making these mistakes when caring for your appliances, you can make sure they remain sparkling and functional.

By Handler Homes 1-23-2023