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A Guide to Cleaning Household Metals

Cleaning different household metals requires specific care to prevent damage and maintain their appearance. If you are tired of your appliances looking streaky or cannot figure out how to keep your cast iron pans in tip top shape, Handler Homes has put together this quick little guide that will help you care for all the metals in your home.

Stainless Steel

Many modern homes, including many of ours, are outfitted with stainless steel appliances. Fingerprint or streak laden stainless steel can become a real eyesore for many homeowners. Not to worry though! Keeping stainless steel sparkling is relatively easy.

For daily cleaning you can just wipe the surfaces with a soft cloth or sponge and a mild soapy solution. Alternatively, you can use a commercial stainless-steel cleaner to remove fingerprints and smudges. As for polishing, apply a small amount of olive oil or a specialized stainless-steel polish to restore shine.

Cast Iron

Cast iron pans are incredibly useful and durable. It’s no wonder why they are a kitchen mainstay for so many! They do require a bit of special care when cleaning and seasoning them, however. Here’s what to do.

For cleaning, rinse the pan with hot water and use a stiff brush to remove food residues. Avoid using soap regularly, as it can remove the seasoning. If needed, use mild soap sparingly. After cleaning, dry the cast iron thoroughly and apply a thin layer of vegetable oil to protect and maintain its seasoning.

Brass

Brass is certainly making a comeback in popularity, so if you have brass fixtures around your home, here is how to keep them spic and span.

Polishing is the name of the game. To do it, make a paste using equal parts lemon juice and salt. Apply the paste, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub with a soft cloth. Alternatively, you can use a vinegar and salt mixture. Really any acid mixed with salt should do. There are also premade brass cleaners on the market that you can pick up to have under your sink as well.

Copper

Copper is both antimicrobial and beautiful. It is a lovely metal worth having around your home. Here is how to shine it up.

Similar to brass, create a paste with lemon juice and salt, apply, and then scrub. Again, vinegar and salt will do as well. For more stubborn stains and spots, use a commercial copper cleaner. Simply follow the product instructions.

And there you have it! Simple and easy methods for cleaning and caring for metals around your home. We hope you found this guide useful. If so, please be sure to check out our other blogs for more helpful hints and inspiration!

By Handler Homes 11-28-2023