Stainless Steel Countertop Cleaning Guide: Fast & Efficient
There are right ways to clean commercial stainless steel countertops and there are wrong ways. In this article, you will learn exactly how to properly clean one and you might pick up some additional information that might save you from future problems!
Whether you work in a commercial restaurant, hospital, or where ever, it is really important that the countertops are clean and without bacteria and hopefully stainless steel itself will assist in that matter.
In order to clean a commercial countertop, first, remove any remaining foods from the surface, then use mild soap and water mixture and brush the countertop with it and rinse with cold water. Finally, dry with a squeegee or towel and apply polish to protect the stainless steel surface.
Simple right? Of course, there are more things to take into notice and we will go through this task more in-depth so it can even further help you with cleaning stainless steel countertops.
Contents
- 1. Remove Food Crumbs
- 2. Use Mild Soap And Water
- 3. Rinse With Cold Water
- 4. Dry With A Squeegee Or Towel
- 5. Apply Polish To Protect The Stainless Steel
- How To Disinfect Stainless Steel Countertop
- Does Vinegar Damage Stainless Steel?
- Can You Use Lysol Wipes On Stainless Steel?
- What Is The Best Cleaner For Stainless Steel?
- What Should You Not Use On Stainless Steel?
- Is Stainless Steel Good For Countertops?
- Conclusion
1. Remove Food Crumbs
The first step in order to fully clean a stainless steel countertop is to make sure that there aren’t any food bits and crumbs because you wouldn’t want to rub that in which would only make it worse.
2. Use Mild Soap And Water
The next step is to mix some mild soap and hot water, after that simply pour it to the countertop and brush the whole table with a brush and be sure that it’s the right kind of a brush. You shouldn’t use a stainless steel scrubber or a wool brush because they will scratch the surface.
3. Rinse With Cold Water
After everything is brushed, rinse with cold water for the best results.
4. Dry With A Squeegee Or Towel
I would recommend using a Squeegee for this because it’s more efficient and fun! You can also dry with cloths or towels.
5. Apply Polish To Protect The Stainless Steel
After everything else is done and the countertop is clean, apply some Polish and wipe it down with a Microfiber Cloth for a great finish.
How To Disinfect Stainless Steel Countertop
When you work in a restaurant or similar environment, it’s essential that the food prep area is kept sanitary and clean. In addition to cleaning it’s important to disinfect the countertops from time to time. You can easily disinfect a countertop using Lysol wipes or Lysol Spray and 99.99& of the bacteria will die just like that!
There are some additional questions that are often asked from someone that wonders how to clean stainless steel countertops and you can find quick answers to them below.
Does Vinegar Damage Stainless Steel?
Vinegar is one of the many items that can be used in a kitchen. Vinegar has been used in salad dressings, marinades, and more for a long time! One benefit of vinegar is that it doesn’t dissolve into the water which means you don’t have to worry about corrosion or discoloration on your stainless steel countertops. Vinegar also isn’t conductive so there’s no risk of scorching or permanently changing its color!
Can You Use Lysol Wipes On Stainless Steel?
You most certainly can and Lysol wipes are extremely powerful disinfectant that will kill 99.99% of the bacteria. However, you should always check that the Lysol wipes that you are going to get are bleach-free! Bleach can damage and stain stainless steel countertops so be sure to double-check that out.
What Is The Best Cleaner For Stainless Steel?
We have all had to deal with cleaning stainless steel in the restaurant world. The truth is that it can be a pain in the butt, especially when you are trying to get other things done as well.
Some acids and cleaners shouldn’t be used for stainless steel surfaces so we recommend our own favorites that have worked like a charm!
- Best Overall: Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish
- For Sinks: Hope’s Perfect Sink Cleaner & Polish
- Best Cleaner Wipes: Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner Wipes
- Best Cleaner Powder: Bon Ami Cleanser Powder
- Best Cleaner Gel: Soft Scrub Multisurface Gel Cleaner
- Best Cleaner Sprayer: Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner Spray
What Should You Not Use On Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel is a common material that you will find in professional kitchens. Stainless has many benefits, including being extra durable and easy to clean.
However, there are some things that should never be used on stainless steel, for example, stainless steel scrubbers or wool brushes will most certainly scratch the surface which will result in it being more vulnerable to rust and stains.
Cleaners that have chlorine and any kinds of bleaches shouldn’t ever be used on stainless steel surfaces because they will harm and leave permanents stains on them.
Is Stainless Steel Good For Countertops?
Stainless steel countertops are the perfect choice for your kitchen. They never crack or warp like laminate, they’re easy to clean and won’t stain like granite, and they’re virtually indestructible. In addition, they are really affordable in most cases and with all these perks combined it’s no wonder that nearly every restaurant uses stainless steel as a countertop material.
The higher the quality of the steel the less likely it is to discolor or stain over time so I wouldn’t recommend choosing the cheapest one because it is usually made from the lowest quality steel.
Conclusion
Cleaning a stainless steel countertop is quite simple and after reading this article you should more than knowhow to clean them, but also know what not to use on them and other tips and tricks as well.
Leave a comment below if you want to see more content like this in the future and we will certainly make it happen, cook safe and keep it clean!