How to Clean Stainless Steel

Stainless steel cookware is generally pretty hardy, and to keep it clean and shiny, regular washing and drying may be all that's required. Tougher cleaning problems do arise occasionally, however, and here are some pointers on how to handle them.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• White Vinegar
• Baking Soda
• nylon scrub brush
• dish detergent

1. Use warm, soapy water - or a gentle dishwashing cycle - for everyday cleaning, and dry your cookware thoroughly with a soft cloth.
2. Use a mixture of 25 percent white vinegar in water to remove mineral deposits left by hard water.
3. Remove burned-on food from a stainless steel pan by pouring boiling water into the pan. Let it set for 15 minutes. If the pan still won't come clean, let the water cool, then wash with warm soapy water and a scrub brush made of nylon.
4. Remove rust with an oxalic acid cleaner such as Bar Keepers Friend (see Tips).
5. Use glass cleaner and a soft cloth to remove fingerprints.
6. Polish stainless steel with a paste made of water and baking soda. Rinse and dry thoroughly.

Tips & Warnings

• If acidic foods sit in stainless steel for a long time, they may cause corrosion. These include citrus fruit or juice, vinegar or pickles.
• Bar Keepers Friend, available at most grocery or home improvement stores (www.barkeepersfriend.com) is a recommended cleaner for stainless steel cookware.
• If you boil something in a stainless steel pan, make sure the pan doesn't boil dry, or it may discolor.
• Do not use bleach or ammonia on stainless steel.
• Do not use steel wool to clean stainless steel, as it may leave behind carbon steel fragments that will rust into the stainless steel surface. Use a nylon or stainless steel wool scouring pad instead.
• Do not use silver dip cleaners on stainless steel. They will leave a stain.

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