How To Clean Tarnished Stainless Steel

By  Dario Saandvik

Things Needed

  • Abrasive dish cleaning pad (not steel wool)

  • Powdered bathroom cleanser

  • Commercial spray surface cleanser (glass cleanser)

  • Towel or drying cloth

  • Metal polishing paste

Warning

Do not use steel wool or metal cleaning pads to scrub stainless steel; it will damage the surface and promote further rust.

Do not use any cleaning products with bleach or chlorine on stainless steel; they will damage the surface.

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Despite the name, stainless steel is actually a rust-resistant alloy of iron, chromium and nickel. Stainless steel is prized for its durability, shine and strength. However, if it is exposed to corrosive or oxidizing elements for an extended period of time, stainless steel will become discolored and tarnished, or even rust eventually. While periodic cleaning using a simple glass cleaner is enough to prevent most discoloration, stainless steel that is already rusted or tarnished can be cleaned using a few simple household supplies.

Step 1

Wet the cleaning pad, and apply some of the bathroom cleanser to it, then rub vigorously at the site of the rust or tarnish.

Step 2

Rinse the just-cleaned area with clean water.

Step 3

Spray the area with the glass cleanser to remove any smaller particles left behind.

Step 4

Rinse again with water.

Step 5

Completely dry the surface with a clean cloth.

Step 6

Apply the metal polish to the surface according to the manufacturer's instructions, for any remaining stains, tarnish or rust.

Step 7

Rinse and dry completely.

References

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