From fridges and dishwashers to cutlery, tables and sinks, stainless steel is a staple in the kitchen. It’s also commonplace in industrial environments – including food production plants, pharmaceuticals and various other hygienic areas.

When it first arrives, stainless steel equipment has a pristine gleam. But, thanks to grubby fingerprints, water drips and other spillages over time, it can soon lose its lustre.

The good news is, stainless steel is one of few metals that requires very little maintenance, and a quick clean now and then can be enough to keep it sparkling.

Here at Stainless Steel Manufacturing Equipment Ltd, we know stainless steel equipment like the back of our hand and regularly design and manufacture products in-house to suit the diverse requirements of our clients.

Say goodbye to streaks and scratches with these expert tips and tricks!

How to clean stainless steel equipment

Although it’s one of the least corrosive metals on the market, and easy to clean, you must take extra care with stainless steel. It has a thin protective layer which can be damaged – if not cleaned properly – and is susceptible to staining.

Before you start, make sure you have the appropriate tools at hand.

When cleaning stainless steel equipment, it’s best you avoid abrasive cleaning products, such as Brillo pads, steel wool and scourers, as these will scratch the metal’s surface and, in turn, damage the protective layer.

Instead, we suggest wiping away any streaks or smudges with something a little softer, like a microfiber cloth and warm water. Be mindful when choosing chemical detergents too. You don’t want to opt for one that contains chloride as this will cause more damage than good.

As a general rule of thumb, you should always dry your stainless steel equipment with a towel to prevent water spots.

Best way to tackle tough marks?

Sometimes, a quick clean isn’t enough and your stainless steel equipment requires some serious TLC.

Sticky fingerprints refusing to budge? Fear not – glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth are great for mucky prints. Before you know it, the surface will be spotless once again!

You may, or may not, know that stainless steel can withstand temperatures up to 2,600°C. This is great in commercial kitchens where things can get hot very quickly. But it means it’s no stranger to heat and burn stains. Luckily, an all-purpose cleaner should do the trick. Simply apply it directly to the surface, rub it in using your cloth, and rinse with water before drying.

Stainless steel is a hard material but, like most metals, it’s not immune to scratches and scrapes. In most cases, these can be removed using a top-quality stainless steel cleaner or by applying a thin layer of car paint restorer (e.g. T-Cut).

Let us help

Scheduling routine cleaning should help you to get the most out of your stainless steel equipment. But even if you religiously wash your worktops down and polish your tools, there may come a time that you need to upgrade or add more apparatus.

At SSME, we can help. With an extensive range of stainless steel equipment – including food conveyors, boot washers, food metal detectors, washroom equipment, step units and gantries, to name just a few – there’s something to suit all needs here.

Want to know more? Feel free to give us a call on 0121 661 6346 or email sales@ssmeltd.co.uk, and we’ll get back to you.