How to Clean Stainless Steel Naturally

There are all different ways to clean items in your home without hurting the environment or exposing yourself to harsh chemicals. With that in mind, we want to tell you how to clean stainless steel naturally and ecologically.
How to Clean Stainless Steel Naturally

Last update: 15 December, 2022

Are your pots, pans, and appliances looking dull? Check out the article below to find out how to bring back their shine without hurting the environment or exposing yourself to harsh chemicals.

Stainless steel is a resistant material that usually stays in good shape despite the passing of time. However, it’s not exempt from taking on an opaque and dirty appearance when it doesn’t receive proper care and maintenance. Fortunately, there’s a way to clean stainless steel naturally.

Why is it important to clean stainless steel?

A set of stainless steel pots.

When stainless steel gets dirty, it becomes more susceptible to rust and corrosion, which damages the material.

Before explaining just how to clean stainless steel using natural ingredients, we want to emphasize why it’s so important to clean it in the first place. This material is commonly used in spaces like kitchens thanks to its resistance to heat and corrosion.

What’s more, unlike other types of metal, it’s more durable. It doesn’t become rusty when in contact with water, nor does it develop stains. The problem, however, is that it can deteriorate noticeably when the surface begins to accumulate grease, dust, and other types of grime.

This situation keeps stainless steel chrome from reacting optimally to oxygen in the air, therefore preventing it from developing the layer that protects it from rust. So, when stainless steel doesn’t receive proper treatment, the material becomes vulnerable to corrosion and wear.

What can we do to keep this from happening? How can you keep your stainless steel kitchenware looking flawless?

Below, we want to suggest a simple technique that allows you to clean stainless steel naturally. You can use it on any item that contains this metal: Trays, sinks, refrigerators, countertops, pots, and pans, etc.

Want to discover more natural cleaning products?: How to Use Lemon and Other Natural Cleaning Products

The ecological method for cleaning stainless steel

Cleaning stainless steel.
Using ecological techniques to clean stainless steel guarantees a smaller environmental impact.

On the market, you can find all sorts of products that promise to restore the shine of stainless steel items. However, we need to reduce our use of chemicals that are harmful to the environment. With that in mind, many are choosing to use natural cleaning products, many of which you can make at home.

The good news is that there are plenty of environmentally friendly ingredients for cleaning stainless steel. What’s more, they don’t cost a lot of money and offer exceptional results. Plus, you can use them on any type of utensil or surface that contains this metal. 

So, are you ready to get started? Take note!

What’s you’ll need

  • 2 tablespoons of beeswax
  • 1 tablespoon of coarse salt
  • Dish soap (as needed)
  • The juice of half of one lemon
  • A cotton rag or a soft towel

Instructions

  • To clean stainless steel naturally, first you’ll use the two tablespoons of beeswax. Rub it all over the surface and allow it to solidify.
  • When ready, sprinkle the coarse salt over the wax.
  • Then, rub energetically with the rag or towel. At this point, you’ll notice the steel will start to recover its shine.
  • However, to make sure the surface is completely clean, you’ll need to prepare a soapy solution. So, combine dish soap with a bit of water and spray it onto the surface.
  • Rub again using a cotton rag or soft towel and then rinse. Avoid using scrubbers and abrasive cleaners that can scratch the metal.
  • Dry completely with a clean rag and, finally, moisten a rag with lemon juice and rub it over the entire surface. The properties of this ingredient are the final component that will leave your stainless steel looking brand new.
  • Of course, in order to maintain stainless steal in perfect condition, you should repeat this process every 2 or 3 weeks.

Further recommendations

A woman cleaning the kitchen.

Besides cleaning stainless steel regularly as we explained above, it’s important to practice other basic measures to keep this material in perfect shape. For example:

  • Maintain a cleaning routine for stainless steel furniture and utensils using warm water and a soft towel. Also, be sure to use a dry towel to wipe up any excess water.
  • Always wipe in the direction as the chrome finish to prevent stains and wear.
  • In the case of grease or food residue, then you should use diluted dish soap and warm water.
  • If surfaces develop watermarks or dust stains, spray them with window cleaner mixed with a bit of water. Wipe them down with a soft towel and they’ll be as good as new!

So, have you tried this method for cleaning stainless steel naturally? If you haven’t, give it a try and see for yourself how effective it truly is!


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This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.