11
Care and Maintenance of your Stainless Steel Tops
Perform Regular Maintenance
OXIDIZATION Removal
List of common conditions that cause corrosion or
discoloration of stainless steel and should be avoided:
Wash regularly with clean fresh water, mild detergent and a micro fi ber cloth.
After washing rinse in clean water and wipe the surface dry with your cloth remembering to go
with the grain on brushed stainless steel.
Generally you should wash your stainless steel every three months. Coastal areas or next to a
chlorine pool more frequently every 2 weeks.
Do not use abrasive cleaners or a scouring pad of any type as they will cause excessive wear and
dull the fi nish.
Stainless steel fi nishes in coastal environments may show tea staining if not washed regularly.
We recommend Hopes “Perfect Stainless” as a cleaner with a microfi ber cloth.
For better protection use a thin coating of protectant on the surface. We do not recommend using
this coating for food prep areas.
If you have oxidation there are a few steps to take to bring your stainless steel cabinets back
to “as new” condition.
Apply clean water with a cleaning sponge and rub gently in the direction of the grain. If the
mark won’t shift, it may be necessary to use a stainless steel cleaner, in which case apply the
cleaner and rub gently. After cleaning it is important to rinse the stainless steel with clean
fresh water and buff with a soft cloth. Remember to always rub with the grain, NEVER across
as you will ruin the fi nish, and the stainless can lose its shine. If you must use a scourer, use
a plastic scrub pad with no metal content.
1.
Chloride containing cleansers – this includes bleach and any cleaners containing bleach
2.
Muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) – commonly used to clean up after tile/concrete installation
3.
Concentrated soap residue – chemical additives will cause discoloration and some dried soaps
actually look like rust
4.
Water with high iron content – can leave a rusty residue, especially if allowed to drip continuously
5.
Contact with iron materials – including steel wool, iron residue/dust from installation or cleaning of
other steel products
6.
Trapped moisture between the product and cover – rubber mats, metal cans or cleaner cans-
Allow cabinets to completely dry before covering.
7.
Salts – contain chlorides
8.
Extreme Heat by Flame
9.
Do not permit citrus or tomato juice to remain on stainless steel surfaces.
10.
No abrasive cleaners, steel wool pads, or abrasive cloths as they will scratch the finish.
