Stainless steel is an ideal material for kitchen items including appliances, storage solutions, and work areas. It discourages bacterial growth, shrugs off heat, and repels water. It can last for many years without needing much upkeep. However, it will require some cleaning from time to time in order to keep it looking nice and presentable. You can reduce maintenance requirements by using filtered water and cleaning items quickly. If you do notice fingerprints, stains, water spots, and calcium deposits, then try the following remedies:
Water and Microfiber Cloth
Most minor blemishes can be wiped away using nothing but water and a piece of microfiber cloth. If you don’t have any, then just use any clean and soft cloth that you can spare. Squeeze excess water from the fabric before wiping the surface of stainless steel benches so that water beads won’t form. Get a separate dry cloth for the finishing touches. Rub the surfaces in circular motion to get rid of the water while buffing the item.
Dish Soap and Cloth
While the technique above works well for fingerprints, it might not be enough for stubborn dirt. You can dislodge the grime by using diluted dish soap. Get a bit of this on your cloth and squeeze the excess water. Apply this over the spot and watch it disappear more easily. You might also allow the soapy water to stand for a while it works on the dirt. You can wipe this away after a few minutes. Use a dry cloth to remove water marks and give the surface a good shine.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
For tough stains and dirt, you can use common kitchen items like vinegar and baking soda. The acidic nature of vinegar allows it to neutralize some of the minerals that might be causing problems on stainless steel benches. You can also sprinkle a bit of baking soda on the problematic area and leave this on for a few minutes. When you come back to wipe the powder, much of the stains should be gone.
Commercial Cleaner
If these tricks still leave you with issues, then you might want to consider getting commercial cleaners that are specially formulated for stainless steel. Check the label to read the instructions and follow these faithfully. You can also find scratch removal kits if you need those. When wiping the surface, always go with the grain to dislodge dirt more easily. Finish the job with a few drops of lemon oil for extra shine.