Stainless steel is made from iron alloy that is highly resistant to staining, but can get fingerprints, grime, and tarnish over time. Stainless steel pieces can be cleaned with almost any cleaning solution, but for flatware and cutlery, you will need to use food-safe methods when it comes to cleaning your wares.
In this article, we'll present the different ways you can clean stainless steel flatware and utensils, and bring the shine back to your dinner. All you'll need are home cleaning staples like vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap.
How to Clean Stainless Steel Cutlery
Step 1: Use Warm Water and Dish Soap
Wash stainless steel flatware as you normally would with mild dish soap and warm water. This will help remove most of the stuck-on grease, grime, and food particles, especially between the prongs of forks.
When using the dishwasher, make sure to use a mild detergent to prevent streaks, water stains, and soap scum on the surface. Cleaning stainless steel cutlery with vinegar is also a good idea as the vinegar will remove any mineral buildup caused by hard water.
Step 2: Dry with a Soft Cloth
Immediately dry the stainless steel cutlery with a soft cloth before placing it into the cupboard. Using a cloth to dry instead of letting the utensils air dry will remove any soap scum or water spots that may form on the surface.
How to Restore Tarnished Stainless Steel Cutlery
Step 1: Create a Baking Soda Paste
Create a cleaning paste with baking soda and vinegar. Mix enough baking soda and vinegar to form a thick paste that should keep its shape as you will be covering the utensils with the mixture. You may also use lemon juice in place of white vinegar.
Step 2: Cover Stainless Steel Utensils with Cleaning Paste
Cover the stainless steel cutlery with the cleaning paste, making sure to cover every inch of the utensils. The paste will work to lift tarnish and stains, while vinegar dissolves oils, greasy residue, and mineral deposits from hard water.
Step 3: Let it Sit
Let the paste sit for at least 15 minutes. Leave the paste on longer if your stainless steel utensils are heavily tarnished. You'll know that the utensils are ready if the tarnish comes out when you gently rub the utensils.
Step 4: Scrub Away the Tarnish
Use a scrub brush, toothbrush, or steel wool to gently scrub the tarnish away. You should notice that the grime easily comes off, and can be washed away with water. A soft-bristle brush helps to get into the tight spaces of intricately-designed utensils.
Step 5: Wash and Dry Immediately
Rinse off the cleaning solution, and wash the utensils as you normally would. Clean and dry the stainless steel cutlery to prevent rust spots, and store them in a dry area to prevent the stainless steel from rusting and tarnishing.
How to Make Stainless Steel Cutlery Shine
Step 1: Clean Your Stainless Steel Cutlery
First, make sure your stainless steel cutlery are clean. Remove stains and tarnish from the utensils first before polishing it for a better gleam. Always start with clean cutlery when polishing your stainless steel flatware.
Step 2: Polish with Baking Soda and Toothpaste
Mix baking soda and toothpaste together. These have micro-particles that provide a scrubbing action, and will polish the surface of stainless steel without scratching it. Rub the polishing paste over the entire utensil, then wipe or wash away. Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
Step 3: Seal with Olive Oil
Seal the stainless steel flatware with olive oil. To do this, place olive oil on a clean paper towel. Apply the oil on the flatware, and wipe off the excess. This step is optional, but recommended: heat up your utensils in a preheated oven to polymerize the oil.
Making Your Kitchen Shine
A clean kitchen is a healthy kitchen, and bringing back the shine to your cooking space can be challenging after you've spilled oils, cooked smoky recipes, and leave mold to grow in the corner. Worry not, as our expert team of cleaners at Luce Home will bring the shine back to your kitchen, and maintain its pristine look.
Book an appointment now, and let's get to maintaining the shine in your home!
