Cleaning stainless steel on a regular basis is important to avoid corrosion and surface rust and discoloration which is referred to as ‘tea-staining’. Here are some tips that will help you when it comes to cleaning stainless steel:

Clean stainless steel regularly

Stainless steel is ‘stain-less’ not ‘stain-proof’. Regular cleaning is recommended to avoid rusting, tea-staining and discoloration. Detergent and warm water is ideal with a soft brush or cloth.

What should I use to clean my fasteners and fittings?

Use detergent and warm water with a soft brush or cloth to clean stainless steel. Avoid abrasives when cleaning stainless steel as they will create a rough finish with crevices in the stainless steel surface which will increase the likelihood of corrosion. Also avoid steel wool as there is the risk that steel wool Iron particles could be left behind which will eventually lead to Iron oxidation (i.e. rusting).

How often should I clean my fasteners and fittings?

External fasteners and fittings should be washed every 3-6 months if in an industrial or urban area but washed monthly if in a coastal location. It is also ideal that the fastener or hardware is not hidden undercover so it can get rain contact which helps remove contaminants such as salt.

If it is in a location that is covered and so doesn't get contact with rain, more frequent washing would be required. 

The grade of stainless steel also needs to be considered in terms of location and wash frequency.

How do I remove rust from stainless?

You can remove rust from stainless steel with Action Gel. It is a phosphoric acid based gel that removes rust or ‘tea-staining’ from stainless steel, is simple to apply and then wash off and it will easily remove tea-staining in most applications and eliminate the necessity for mechanical removal of surface corrosion.

How do I prevent my stainless from rusting?

You can reduce the chance of rust or tea-staining by:

• Choosing the correct grade of stainless steel
• Regularly cleaning and maintaining your stainless
• Ensuring your stainless is smooth and as polished as possible
• Applying a Lanolin based product such as Lanotec to protect the stainless steel

View our guide on the Do's and Don'ts of Stainless Steel and how to keep stainless steel cables from rusting.