Stainless Steel Maintenance and Cleaning
Stainless steels are often specified because of their attractive appearance, even though their main attributes are long service life, anti-microbial factors and low maintenance costs. But all materials – including stainless steels – may become stained in time by dirt, oil, grease, paint, etc. which may impair the overall impression.
Emery Industries Pty Ltd is a Clinell approved Supplier. Emery uses quality #304 Stainless Steel as a standard for all manufactured products.
ALWAYS
Always rub stainless steel in the same direction as the grain. Rubbing against the grain will spoil the finish and stainless will lose its shine. Worse, rubbing against the grain can damage the surface by creating microscopic crevices where dirt can collect. This can lead to corrosion spots and infection control issues. It is easy to identify which is the right direction.
You need to watch out for items like round handrails, which are often polished around their circumference when they’re manufactured, rather than up and down the length of the tube. If you have to scrub a stain to remove it, make sure you use a clean nylon cloth and you can use a chalk-based cream cleaner.
ENSURE you test an inconspicuous area first to ensure that you do not end up with a bright polished spot that doesn’t match the rest of the surface.
NEVER
Never use steel wool (wire wool) or steel tools
Never use scourers and cleaning cloths that have been used on other steel products
Never rub plastic scourers across the grain of brushed surfaces
Never use concentrated bleach or hydrochloric acid-based cleaning products
DO NOT GO AGAINST THE GRAIN
Did you know that not all metals are created equally?
Emery manufactures in #304 Grade Stainless Steel and #316 on request.
304 stainless steel is the most common form of stainless steel used around the world, largely due to its excellent corrosion resistance and value. It contains between 16 and 24% chromium and up to 35% nickel, as well as small amounts of carbon and manganese.
304 can withstand corrosion from most oxidizing acids. That durability makes 304 easy to sanitize, and therefore ideal for hospital, kitchen and food applications. It is also common in buildings, décor, and site furnishings.
How to Maintain the Original Surface
Use antibacterial single-use wipes as per the manufacturer’s recommendation.
If the stains or discolourations on the stainless steel surface are so serious that they cannot be removed by normal washing with water, the following cleaning methods are recommended.
REMOVAL OF STAINS AND DISCOLOURATIONS
Maintenance
- Stainless steel looks best and provides maximum corrosion resistance when it is cleaned regularly. Corrosion may occur if dirt, grime and surface stains containing corrosive substances and are left on the stainless steel surface.
- Routine cleaning preserves stainless steels appearance. The frequency of cleaning will depend on aesthetic requirements severity of the environment and suitability of the stainless steel grade and finish for that environment, the presence or lack of heavy rains to clean the surface and the design.
- All trolleys are supplied with zinc plated castors or castors with mild steel parts internally, unless otherwise stated. Cleaning method for standard supply castors – wipe with dry rag.
- If cleaning with a salt solution or water is necessary please request a quote for stainless steel or synthetic castors as components of the castor may rust.