2021-11
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How to clean Stainless Steel
Stainless steels are inherently corrosion resistant materials that do not need additional surface protection to enhance
their appearance and durability. Some routine maintenance and cleaning is needed to keep stainless steel surfaces in
good conditions so that the aesthetics appearance and corrosion resistance are not compromised. In this respects,
stainless steel are no different from other construction materials such as glass, plastic and coated steels, which are never
maintenance free throughout the life of a building.
Cleaning suggestions:
•
Mortar and cement splashes can be treated with a solution containing a small amount of phosphoric acid. Rinse with
deionised water and dry.
•
Iron particles picked up from tools or from structural steels, scaffold-tubing, etc and Steel dust created during
operation such as welding, cutting, drilling must be removed immediately as steel will rust quickly. Beside corroding
themselves, these particles can locally break the self healing “passive film” of stainless steel resulting in pitting in
spite of their normally good corrosion resistance.
•
Maintenance cleaning special attention should be given to sheltered areas during routine cleaning to ensure
that accumulations of airborne contaminants are removed. This is particularly important in marine and industrial
environments, where build-up of airborne chlorides can result in localised corrosion, if not effectively removed.
•
Soap water and a mild detergent are usually safe and successful. For more stubborn stains, cream cleansers should
be effective.
•
Limestone: if cream cleanser is not enough, treat scale with a 25% solution of vinegar and mild hot water and give
it some time to dissolve. Then clean with ( if possible deionised ) mild water and bicarbonate rinse and wipe dry as
usual with care.
•
To avoid chloride-containing cleansers, especially those containing hydrochloric acids. Hypo-chlorite bleachers: if
applied accidentally or split on stainless steel surfaces, should be immediately rinsed off with liberal amounts of fresh
water; silver cleansers. Not stainless steel wire brushes.
•
Pitting: at an early stage, light deposits can be removed mechanically using nylon pads, such as “scotch brite“ type
used in the kitchen. If pitting attack has occurred, depending on its severity, acid pickling treatments or mechanical
rectification will be needed to restore the surface. While restoring the corrosion resistance of the surface, picking may
change the surface appearance of the stainless steel. Further mechanical or chemical treatments may be necessary to
restore the original surface finishing.
Precautions:
It is therefore advisable to avoid contamination, in the first place by either protecting the stainless steel parts,
whilst other work is being done or by installing them after other operations that could cause contamination have been
completed. Where water has been used for cleaning or rinsing, wiping the surface dry, to prevent watermarks, especially in
hard water areas may be advisable. The use of deionised water will prevent the formation of hard water staining.
• Do not use products containing hydrochloric, formic, acetic acids, since they can damage the surface and the product
itself (eg. Viakal)
• Do not over-use products containing phosphoric acid
• It is recommended not to mix different kind of detergents
• Do not use abrasive cleaners or pads.
