In any house there will be cutlery made of stainless steel. They are the basis for everyday use, and at the same time have high practicality and an attractive appearance. However, over time, they inevitably become covered with an indelible film of dirt, oxides, salts, etc. Therefore, the question arises how to clean stainless steel cutlery at home and return them to their original shine and beauty.
There are several types of dirt, and the appropriate ways to clean them effectively. The situation is somewhat complicated by the presence of various decorations and drawings on the handles of devices. Two main groups can be distinguished:
- Mechanical cleaning;
- Chemical cleaning.
The most practical and effective option is to mechanically clean stainless objects. Using a soft and fine abrasive substance or the same grater, you can remove the top layer of dirt and leave the surface of the metal itself intact, which is much stronger than silver, nickel and other materials.
The chemical method is primarily aimed at softening or changing the structure of the surface film covering the metal. This is the most effective option to get rid of dirt on the surface of a deep pattern, on spoons and forks made of stainless steel with a complex surface shape.
The best result can be achieved if both directions are combined. First, one chemical agent is used to soften the dirt, and then it remains to mechanically clean the steel to a shine. Let’s start with chemical methods and finish with mechanical ones.
Soda plus salt
Aluminum foil is placed on the bottom of an enameled pan . Cutlery is on top of it. The solution is prepared in advance. A tablespoon of soda and the same amount of salt is added to a liter of hot water, everything is mixed. The solution is poured into a pan with appliances and put on fire.
It is enough to boil on low heat for 5 minutes and let cool. In total, processing takes about 30-40 minutes. Next, stainless steel spoons and forks are washed with ordinary dishwashing liquid and a sponge. You can use a coarse brush with polymer bristles in the area of the drawings.
Bleach, Domestos, anything containing chlorine and surfactants
Water, approximately 5 liters, is poured into an enameled or plastic bowl. A cleaning agent is added (bleach, Domestos, etc.), the main thing is that it does not contain acids other than hydrochloric, which, among other things, can damage the steel itself. A set of stainless steel cutlery is lowered into the solution and kept in it for about half an hour. Then rinse them thoroughly and wash them in running water with a regular dishwashing detergent. You can boil it for fidelity to completely get rid of the smell of chlorine.
The most productive chemical way to clean stainless steel forks and spoons. Especially forks, in which it is often difficult to clean the remains of dirt between the tines.
Attention: this method is not suitable for use in case of additional decorations of inserts of other metals, blackening or bluing, presence of color or enamel on the surface of spoons and forks.
Vinegar, citric acid
In many cases, weak solutions of acetic and citric acids help. They are indispensable in case of predominance of salt deposits on spoons. Half a glass of vinegar or 100 grams of citric acid is poured per liter of water. Spoons and forks are lowered into her, and the solution is brought to a boil. As soon as it cools down, all this can be washed in running water and wiped dry with a towel.
Hard polyurethane and polypropylene washcloths
In most cases, it is enough to wipe the spoons and forks with a hard washcloth with a small amount of detergent. Usually, any kitchen sponge is provided on one side. It is better to use a newly bought sponge, and not one that has already been in the case, then the effect is achieved faster.
Soda
Diluting three parts of baking soda with one part of water makes the easiest cleaning paste and the answer to how to clean stainless steel cutlery at home. It remains only to rub them to a shine and rinse in clean water, wipe dry. Soda is a strong enough abrasive and at the same time not aggressive enough to damage the steel surface.
This method is also used to clean silver cutlery.
Special pastes for cleaning food grade steel
Many hardware stores sell special paste. It does not need to be dissolved or diluted before cleaning cutlery. It is enough to apply it on the surface of a spoon and rub it well with a thick cotton cloth. The action is almost identical to GOI paste, which, by the way, can also be used. An additional plus is that this method also saves from small abrasions and scratches. Cutlery acquires a mirror surface and cleanliness.
When using the first method with soda and salt, a stiff brush or brush, coarse lint-free cloth or paste from the last option will also help. This is a one hundred percent option to get rid of dirt of any type and clean spoons and forks at home, if they were with a pattern or with decorative inserts of other metals, painting or enamel.