How to clean stainless steel products

It is important to clean a stainless-steel product such as trash can, bread box, kitchen canister to ensure its long-life time. A quality stainless steel product is one that will not rust, even after many years, provided you clean it carefully and with the right products, and choose a grade of stainless steel according to how it will be used.

Stainless Steel Can Oxidise

However, stainless steel can oxidise, on the surface, as a result of not being cleaned, or as a result of cleaning with an overly aggressive detergent.

Stainless steel, is a steel that resists corrosion, it is however an imperfect expression. All steels can oxidise or rust, as they all contain iron.

Stainless steel is an alloy primarily made of iron, carbon, nickel and chromium. It is the chromium that gives stainless steel its antioxidant properties. Stainless steel is able to regenerate its surface layer of chrome oxide, the passive layer, on its own.

Stainless steel will not rust ; it is a surface oxidation: it is the particles that are deposited that oxidise.

Surface oxidation can come from not cleaning after use, and form particularly on weld points, scratches, or parts of the bucket that have received an impact.

Oxidation Can Also Come From Pollution Sources

Acids, humidity, sea spray, iron-laden dust, are sources of pollution that can attack the protective layer, and cause surface rust, as can exposure by the sea, swimming pool, or on a boat.

You can avoid this with a minimum of maintenance. 

Cleaning The Stainless-Steel

Most importantly, do not use aggressive cleaning agent that are unsuitable: bleach, ammonia, detergent, stripper or descaling agent... nor abrasive sponges, steel wool or similar, or abrasive paste. If holes appear in the stainless steel, you have brought it into contact with chemical or aggressive products not suitable for cleaning stainless steel.

A simple cleaning with warm, slightly soapy water is enough, followed by a rinse with clean water, and a careful wiping.

Removing Rust From Stainless Steel

If rust has formed in your stainless-steel bucket, here are some tips for removing its rust stains.

- Lime and coarse salt: mix the juice of one lemon with three tablespoons of coarse salt, and rub the rust stains with a cloth soaked in this mixture. - Baking soda and white vinegar: mix one volume of baking soda and two volumes of vinegar. Apply the mixture to the rust stains, and wait for the foamy reaction to occur. Finish the operation by rinsing with vinegar. If the rust stains on stainless steel are not too bad, you can use baking soda alone (with a little water) to remove them. Scrub with the mixture, then rinse with clean water.