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Care and maintenance
The following are tips for maintaining the
finishes in your bathrooms and kitchen.
Enamel
Dishwashing:
Take care to avoid dropping
dishes. They may chip or scrape the enamel
surface. Continual scraping gradually scratches
and dulls the enamel, which increases the
likelihood of stains setting and becoming
difficult to remove.
Cleaning:
Avoid strong abrasive cleaners as
they can dull or stain shiny fixtures in a short
time period. Take care not to chip, scratch, or
stain the enamel when cleaning.
HOME TIP: Many household cleaners
are mildly abrasive but aren’t harmful
if used with enough water. Baking
soda is nonabrasive and works well for
cleaning enamel.
HOME TIP: Chips in porcelain finishes
can be filled. Most hardware stores
carry liquid porcelain, which is cheap
and easy to use. Deep chips may require
two coats. Follow the manufacturer’s
recommendations for use.
Stainless steel
Use a commercial stainless steel cleaner
or warm water and a nonabrasive cleaner
to clean stainless steel. Dry completely
upon completion.
Fill a stainless steel sink with a 50/50 solution
of water and bleach to clean it. Let stand for 15
minutes. Wash the sides and bottom of the sink
as the solution drains. Rinse.
Remove the chloride residue found in most
cleansers, detergents, and soaps from the sink
by rinsing it after use.
Maintain the stainless steel finish of a sink by
scrubbing it weekly.
Dry the surface after use so soap, salt, or water
don’t dry on it.
Avoid striking the sink as stainless steel can dent.
Avoid steel wool pads as they may remove the
stainless steel finish.
Stainless steel sinks are neither chopping blocks
nor cutting boards. Knives can scratch the
surface and the steel can dull knives.
HOME TIPS: Do not leave wet cleaning
pads, cloths, or sponges on the sink.
Doing so may result in discoloration,
pitting, or rusting.
Brass, chrome, and nickel
Avoid abrasive cleaners, which may scratch the
surface and damage the finish.
Use a soft cloth and nonabrasive wax polish to
clean chrome.
Use a nonabrasive cleaner to clean brass and
nickel. Buff them with a soft cloth.
Use a soft cloth to wipe water spots. Do not
allow water to dry.
HOME TIP: Follow manufacturer’s
recommendations for cleaning and
maintaining all finishes in your home.
