Pros and cons of stainless steel

Household Appliance Material Of Choice

Stainless steel is the most common choice for home appliances. This is especially true for kitchens, the most used rooms in the home. This article will fill you in concerning the pros and cons of stainless steel appliances. Why should you buy them, and what are the challenges of having them?

Advantages Of Stainless Steel Appliances

Strength

One of the main reasons stainless steel appliances are popular in home improvement is because they are incredibly durable. Stainless steel can endure many years of use without wearing out. Steel is an alloy, which makes appliances made of it more robust than those of other metals.

Ease of maintenance

Cleaning and maintaining a stainless steel appliance is relatively easy. Stainless steel is a common choice for hotel and business kitchens because it does not collect dirt easily, can be kept clean with a wet cloth, and resists rust.

Knowing how to care for stainless steel appliances and using the right cleaning solution will keep your steel surfaces in pristine condition. You can use professional cleaners or everyday cleaning items and products such as mild dishwashing liquid, as long as the manufacturer recommends them.

Aesthetics

Stainless steel appliances are generally elegant and classy. The sleek and fine-textured surface of steel kitchen equipment and appliances add to its contemporary appearance. It is available in various finishes that suit multiple house types and kitchen decor. Whether marble or natural wood, it will blend in well.

Versatility

Another advantage of stainless steel appliances is their versatility and customisability. This material can line cooktops, dishwashers, freezers, stoves, refrigerators, and other appliances. It has an array of applications in the kitchen and in other areas.

Stainless steel complements practically every kitchen style or colour. You can use stainless steel appliances alongside tile backsplashes, wood cabinets, and even other metal fixtures. As a result, they tend to blend in nicely regardless of a kitchen's interior design style.

Easily available

Manufacturers have completely embraced stainless steel in household appliances, making them more accessible to customers. Almost all household appliance firms produce stainless steel products, so finding and purchasing one will not be an issue.

Helps boost property value

Stainless steel appliances can increase property value. Their intrinsic worth, as well as how they improve the kitchen's aesthetic, generally increases property value. They are even occasionally used as a status symbol by homeowners, making them an appealing alternative for a kitchen.

Resistant to staining

Highly resistant to stains, rust, and water, stainless steel is especially useful for appliances that are often in direct contact with water and other liquids that encourage corrosion.

Drawbacks Of Stainless Steel Appliances

Cost

Stainless steel appliances are generally more expensive than those made of other common materials. The extra expense is typically not an issue for homeowners building custom homes, and it is often well worth the cost because of its advantages. However, if you're adding a lot of frills and need to be more frugal in the cost of stainless steel appliances may not be at the top of your wish list.

Fingerprints

Stainless steel appliances easily attract dirt, smudges, and fingerprints. While these smudges tend to distort the appearance of stainless steel appliances and surfaces, they are easily cleaned with a stainless steel brush. The issue is that these stains quickly return before you realise it. However, smudge-proof stainless steel versions are available these days, which we recommend.

May not complement some types of interiors

Stainless steel appliances complement a wide range of designs but can sometimes clash with interior decor. They look good in a modern kitchen but can seem harsh in a softer country kitchen, depending on the design you aim to achieve.

Stainless steel may seem and feel overly industrial in other environments. It all depends on the style, design, and a few other factors. Your custom house builder can guide you through the interior design process to ensure that everything fits together.

Magnetism

Although non-magnetic stainless steel appliances exist, you probably don't need to worry about it if you don't typically place anything in the fridge or other such appliances. However, if you prefer to hang art, write lists, or put entertaining magnets or photographs on the fridge, find one made from magnetic stainless steel.

Cleaning And Maintaining Stainless Steel Appliances

Step One: Inspect the stain

Different kinds of stains stick on stainless steel and require diverse cleaning methods to clear them off your surface. You can remove smudges and hard water stains with a simple wash, but caked-on food and other stubborn deposits require a more intensive solution and a bit more effort on your side. Ensure you understand the situation before you begin gathering cleaning supplies.

Step Two: Gather your supplies

You will need lemon, white vinegar, and clean water to make a quick DIY cleaning solution. Mix equal parts of water with white vinegar in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of lemon juice to improve the scent of the mixture. Grab some microfiber towels, olive oil, and dish liquid after you've produced your solution; you will need these during cleaning.

You may need to try other ways to remove particularly difficult filth, like caked-on grease—stock up on either a commercial stainless steel cleaner or baking soda. There are specific things you should always avoid, no matter what cleaning solution you use.

Avoid using bleach, ammonia, steel wool, or scouring powder on your kitchen appliance since they are harsh and can ruin the finish. It's best to avoid using aggressive cleaning chemicals if you have delicate appliances. Using abrasive cleaners may scratch the surface and make issues worse.

Step Three: Follow the grain

Always wipe stainless steel in the direction of the grain. Spray the area with vinegar and water solution, and then wipe in the grain direction. If you cannot tell the grain orientation, rub the surface with a clean microfiber cloth both horizontally and vertically.

Running the cleaning fabric in the wrong direction will encounter resistance. Place it properly so that it glides effortlessly. This should remove most of your daily stains, such as water spots and fingerprints. To eliminate stubborn residue, sprinkle baking soda on the affected area and then apply white vinegar using a spray bottle or kitchen towel.

Wipe away the solution with a soft cloth until the surface is clear, then pat dry with a soft towel or cloth. Similarly, you can use club soda to remove grime. It is another effective method for removing residue.

Step Four: Reapply dish soap

Moisten a second microfiber cloth with water and add a few drops of dish soap after removing all fingerprints and filth. Apply dishwashing liquid solution across the surface carefully.

Rinse the soapy cloth and rewash the area to remove any remaining soap. This extra procedure will eliminate the acidic residue left by white vinegar and guarantee that the vinegar does not interact longer with steel.

Step Five: Seal with olive oil

Maintaining your stainless steel surfaces is much easier now that you've put in the effort, and you'll want to keep them that way. Olive oil is a simple solution to this problem. Olive oil functions as a barrier between cleaning sessions, preventing smudges and masking existing damage. Olive oil can be applied to a microfiber cloth and rubbed into the surface in a circular motion.

Step Six: Polish

Cleaning and polishing are two separate processes in the maintenance of stainless steel. To ensure that the surface is both clean and shiny, polish it. Even though the process is significantly different, this step can be accomplished by simply polishing the surface until lustrous with an olive oil-soaked microfiber cloth.

Going with or against the grain isn't a big deal when it comes to polishing. Make circular motions with a microfiber cloth to apply olive oil to the surface. It won't take a huge amount of effort for your appliances to be spotless.

Consult A Home Improvement Expert

The information in this article has given you an overview of the pros and cons of using stainless steel appliances. Stainless steel is the most selected material choice used to build kitchen appliances and surfaces.

Its maintenance routine is not difficult to master but is not easy for everyone. If it is challenging to keep your steel spotless, consult a home improvement expert. Home improvement experts are essential when planning your kitchen and selecting appliances to guide you on what to purchase and what not to purchase.