How to Clean Scum From a Dishwasher Product Off Of Stainless Steel Flatware

Stainless steel is a common metal used to make flatware and other utensils. While it is best to wash this type of flatware by hand, it is often more convenient to put everything in the dishwasher. Every now and then, however, your dishwasher can leave soap scum and hard water stains on your stainless steel flatware. You can easily clean these marks off of your flatware easily and inexpensively with products you already have in your home.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2-cup baking soda
• Bowl
• Soft cloths
• Lemon
• Vinegar

Instructions

1. Combine 1/2-cup baking soda and 1/4-cup water in a shallow bowl then mix until it creates a thick paste. Apply the paste with a soft cloth to the stains on your stainless steel flatware. Rub the paste into the stains and let it sit for about 10 minutes before rinsing it thoroughly with warm water. Dry the flatware thoroughly with a dry cloth.

2. Take a whole lemon and cut it in half. Rub the lemon half over the flatware to remove hard water stains and soap scum. The acid in the lemon will cut through the soap scum and hard water deposits left on the flatware by the dishwasher. Leave the lemon juice on the flatware for 10 minutes then rinse thoroughly with warm water. Dry the pieces completely with a clean, dry cloth.

3. Apply a small amount of undiluted vinegar to a soft cloth. Rub the vinegar into the stainless steel flatware to remove the remaining surface stains. The undiluted vinegar will also remove any stains made from the heat of the dishwasher. Let the vinegar sit for 10 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. Dry the flatware immediately and thoroughly.

References

• Mrs. Clean USA: How to Clean Stainless Steel
• W Wright Silverware: Caring for Stainless Steel
• "Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook"; Martha Stewart; 2006