Stainless steel appliances have a fantastically modern and chic look-right up until the moment someone damages them and scars them forever. If you've got stainless steel in your home, it'll look great for years to come, provided you give it the right care and avoid the following damage-inducing errors.
1. Scrub them with steel wool or rough materials.
Stainless steel can easily be scratched, and once they are marked, there is no remedy. Clean it gently, with a soft side of a sponge and soapy water, and go with the grain, if your stainless has one.
2. Clean with abrasive cleaners.
Like steel wool, abrasive cleaners, such as Ajax, can easily scratch the finish on your stainless steel appliances, especially if you scrub against the grain. Stick with gentle cleaners and if you need to scrub, do so with the grain with a soft cloth dampened with soapy water.
3. Forget to rinse and towel dry.
Despite its name, stainless steel can, in fact, be stained-even by water, and especially by hard water. If you rinse and towel dry your appliances, they won't develop any buildup.
4. Use harsh cleaning supplies.
Stainless steel is somewhat sensitive, so avoid potent cleaners, especially those containing chlorine, and instead wash it with a cleaner specified for the material or with good old dish soap.
5. Leave stains for future cleaning.
You can clean stains after they've taken hold, but doing so requires more elbow grease and the potential for scrubbing hard enough to scratch your stainless steel.
MORE FROM KABOODLE:
The Best Hairstyles with Bangs
Celebrities' Favorite Floral Print Jeans
30 Stunning Print Dresses Under $100
The Wackiest Products EVER
The Most Comfortable (and Fashionable) Flats
Connect with Kaboodle:
Follow us on Twitter!
Like us on Facebook!
Become part of our savvy shopping community
