Stainless steel looks amazing when it’s clean and polished, but without regular maintenance and the right types of cleaning that stainless steel can start looking a little worse for wear. Like any other surface, without the right cleaning method and materials, stainless steel will quickly become marked and stained. Eventually it will be permanently damaged.
If you have a stainless steel interior in your home or business, you will already be aware of the necessity of keeping it clean. Although stainless steel is extremely durable and looks fantastic, keeping it clean can sometimes be a nightmare unless it is done in the right way.
In the following article, we’ll look at cleaning both interior and cleaning exterior or industrial stainless steel fittings.
Most stainless steel interiors are focused around cooking areas such as your kitchen. Regardless of whether you have a stainless steel interior in your home or business, you’ll notice how fingerprints quickly become noticeable. Dirt, grease, and grime can quickly accumulate, leaving your surfaces looking a tired and rundown.
We need to note here that almost all abrasive cleaners will scratch bright and polished stainless steel surfaces, so it’s vital that you carefully choose what cleaning sponges, cloths, and pads you use to wipe down your stainless steel appliances.
You should start by getting a clean, dust, and, most importantly, grit-free cloth to help avoid scratching the stainless steel. One of the common misconceptions about cleaning stainless steel is that it requires a lot of hard work to clean, but in reality, it’s a lot easier than many people understand.
One of the best ways to clean stainless steel is to use a cloth rinsed with warm water and dishwashing liquid. Follow this up with a rinse down with plain warm water. Don’t allow the warm water to dry on the surface of the stainless steel. Instead, wipe it off with an absorbent cloth. Removing any standing water left on the stainless steel will help prevent watermarks on the surface of the stainless steel as it dries.
If you have stainless steel countertops that feature any sort of ridges or texture, then a nylon bristle brush is the best way to remove any grease or grime. However, if you know what it is you’re trying to clean off your stainless steel, you’ll be much better prepared to clean stainless steel surfaces.
Removing dirt and grime may not require any specialized equipment but knowing what you are removing can make the job even easier. Just follow the recommendations below:
Dirt & Grime – To remove dirt, grime, dust, and fingerprint smudges from your stainless steel surfaces use warm soapy water and a clean or new soft cloth. This will remove 99% of these marks without scratching your stainless steel surfaces.
Pen Inks – If you have an ink stain on your stainless steel, it can be quite difficult to get rid of, but it’s not impossible. Usually, solvents such as alcohol or xylene are used to remove ink, but always test them on a piece of stainless steel that isn’t exposed to ensure that they won’t mark the metal. After removing the ink stain, gently wash the area with warm soapy water and dry with a cloth.
Oil Stains – Oil stains can be a problem especially in workshops and kitchen areas. In most cases, oil stains can be removed with xylene alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. If those don’t work, then mineral spirits can be used, followed by a thorough clean afterwards with warm water. Always test solvents first on areas that aren’t exposed.
Adhesive Marks & Tapes – Alcohol or mineral spirits are the best way to remove adhesive marks from your stainless steel. For older tape or adhesive marks, it may require some soak time to soften up the adhesives. Always wash the area afterward and test any products on areas that aren’t exposed.
Water Scale – Vinegar (being acidic) is the best way to remove any water scale, and it’s best followed up with warm soapy water. Don’t use any cloth or pads that will scratch the surface of the stainless steel.
Before we cover the different ways to handle cleaning exterior stainless steel, it’s important to mention the effect of the environment on the surface finish of your stainless steel. In damp environments, stainless steel or stainless steel equipment that hasn’t been correctly grounded will face increased rates of degradation and corrosion. Where there are chloride salts (such as by the ocean) corrosion can happen quite quickly. Carefully look at the environment around your stainless steel if you see high rates of corrosion.
The methods we listed above are great for mild stains and interior stainless steel applications. Still, for more serious marks such as corrosion, rust, or weld discoloration, you’re going to need some specialized cleaning solutions. In the next section, we’ll cover some more advanced methods to clean stainless steel.
Mild Corrosion – Signs of mild corrosion are easy to spot but often difficult to clean and remove. Mild corrosion can occur when free iron particles linger on the surface of your stainless steel or contaminants such as chlorides are allowed to contact your stainless steel. If left without proper cleaning, it can quickly lead to permanent marks and pitting in your stainless steel surfaces.
Mild Rust – Any rust on the surface or joints of your stainless steel is serious and needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. Iron particles embedded on the surface of the stainless steel oxidize and leave dark or spots or stains. A cleaner that includes phosphoric, oxalic, or sulfamic acid should be used to clean rust marks. Carefully flush the area with warm soapy water after and be careful that any acid doesn’t wash off onto other areas around the stainless steel.
Weld Discoloration – One of the most effective ways to remove weld discoloration from stainless steel is with an electrolytic weld cleaner such as the TIG Brush. While an electrolytic weld cleaner should be used by someone experienced with the equipment, it is much safer than alternative methods such as pickling paste. Pickling in particular requires safety procedures, training, and safety equipment to ensure the user’s and the environment’s safety.
The most critical part of cleaning stainless steel is acting quickly and not leaving contaminants to linger on the surface of the stainless steel.
If you’re involved in the production of stainless steel, devices such as the TIG Brush are the safest, easiest, and most economical way to regularly clean welded joints on stainless steel. The TIG Brush also adds a passivation layer to help protect the metal surface from further corrosion.
Don’t hesitate to reach out and contact one of our customer service specialists today. We’ll be more than happy to discuss the electrochemical weld cleaning process and demonstrate how the TIG Brush could change the way your company handles post-fabrication weld cleaning (and passivation).
There are countless reasons why stainless steel is the material of choice in the healthcare industry. In an environment where medical furniture and equipment are subjected to heavy use, this metal provides durability. It is also hygienic, easy to clean, and won’t corrode when exposed to certain substances. Because of this, it offers long-term value to hospitals and clinics. If you’re wondering about the common uses of stainless steel in healthcare, keep on reading!
Wheelchairs are an indispensable part of patient care. It provides mobility to people who are experiencing disability, pain, and the like. These are commonly used to move patients from their beds to operating rooms. This way, health workers can quickly transport patients inside the facility while lessening their discomfort. Another type of mobility aid used in healthcare facilities is walkers.
Because wheelchairs and walkers are used daily, these must be made of durable materials. Most healthcare facilities prefer stainless steel because it is tough and can last for a long time.
Operating tables are exposed to a lot of bodily fluids daily. Because of this, it needs to be easily cleaned so the next patient won’t be contaminated with viruses and bacteria. Before surgery, it must be sanitized and disinfected thoroughly to prevent infection. The same idea applies to patient beds.
The advantage of stainless steel over other materials is it’s easy to clean. Steel surfaces require lower concentrations of disinfectants when cleaning. It also has a smooth surface, so moisture and dirt have nowhere to hide. Other than that, it can also withstand extreme temperatures—which is necessary for sterilizing surfaces.
Speaking of surgeries, most surgical equipment is made of stainless steel. This is because of the same reasons above—hygiene and sanitation. In the healthcare environment, almost everything will get into contact with bodily fluids, tissue, blood, and more. Especially surgical equipment which is often subjected to heavy use.
Other than complying with the cleanliness standards, stainless steel is also formable into any shape, size, and form. It can be easily cut, welded, formed, and fabricated so it is suitable for a wide range of healthcare equipment—even the smallest and most delicate surgical tools.
From inpatient rooms, nurse stations, cashier, cafeteria, and operating rooms—you will see numerous tables and cabinets in healthcare facilities. This serves a variety of purposes for health workers and patients. As some of the most used furniture in hospitals, it needs to be durable for long-term use. This way, it won’t need to be replaced with new ones.
This is why hospitals and clinics also prefer stainless steel for their tables and cabinets. This metal resists scratches, chipping, cracking, and other issues present in other materials. It won’t attract pests and moisture, unlike other porous materials.
Most healthcare facilities provide food for confined patients. Unlike restaurants, these places utilize food trays and utensils made of stainless steel for practicality’s sake. This way, piles of trays can be cleaned efficiently. Aside from being more hygienic and easy to clean, these are also heat and stain-resistant.
This is because stainless steel retains its original appearance regardless of heavy use. Even if it’s subjected to staining substances, the material won’t deteriorate. It can also be fabricated into lightweight products—which makes it perfect as food trays and utensils.
In the past, healthcare sinks were made of vitreous china. But this has been replaced with stainless steel in favor of a more hygienic, chemical resistant, and temperature resistant material. This way, it won’t accumulate viruses and bacteria. Compared to other materials, stainless steel can also withstand impact from healthcare equipment which makes it the perfect option for medical and laboratory environments.
Other than that, stainless steel is also highly resistant to corrosion. Depending on the grade, it can withstand water, acids, alkaline, and other chemical substances that you can use in a sink.
In an environment where bodily fluids, human waste, and such are expected, healthcare workers must ensure that these substances are handled and disposed of properly. From used face masks, cotton swabs, injections, and more—these should be thrown in the right container.
Stainless steel is also found in waste containers in health facilities. Thanks to its nonporous nature, liquids won’t penetrate through it—which makes it a great material to prevent leaks and avoid attracting pests.
Because of its hygienic, hardwearing, and nonporous properties, the uses of stainless steel in healthcare are countless. It can also resist high temperatures, a variety of chemicals, and corrosion! Lastly, stainless steel can be fabricated in a variety of forms such as coils, pipes, plates, tubing, and more.
If you’re interested in having your medical equipment made from steel, you can check out the products offered by Metal Exponents! We offer quality materials that abide by industry standards, provide reliable delivery, and continuously offer great customer service.
Common Uses of Stainless Steel in Healthcare
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