Dishwashing is the process of cleaning tools used to prepare and eat meals. It is also about preserving the useful life of the kitchenware. People seem to forget that everything has limitations including plates, glasses and metallic utensils. Stainless steel tableware is highly resistant to stain and corrosion. However, even the finest alloys will suffer if corrosive food and chemicals are not removed by proper soaking, washing, rinsing and drying procedures.

How to Properly Handle Stainless Steel Tableware?

Remove all food remnants immediately after use. It should be done right after using the stainless steel tableware. By letting food remnants sit on the utensils for longer periods, you are exposing it to stain and corrosive food chemicals. This will drastically degrade the quality and the shelf life of the stainless steel kitchenware. Pre-soak the stainless steel tableware in a plastic or stainless steel pan using the nonabrasive pre-soak compound. It will soften the hardened food remnants clinging on the stainless steel kitchenware. This will also help get rid of chemicals that have not been removed in the previous step. Wash in hot water with nonabrasive and noncorrosive dishwashing soap. Hot water plus an effective cleaning agent will help eliminate sickness-causing germs. This will make sure that the utensils will be safe to use again. Rinse the kitchenware thoroughly with tap water. Be sure to remove all the dishwashing cleaning agents off the stainless steel tableware. Dry them up immediately with a microfiber cloth or with kitchen paper towels. This must be done so that water will not sit or pool long in an area. Letting liquids sit or pool and dry on the stainless steel kitchenware will leave watermarks which will stain the surface. Paper towels are also used to prevent rust formation on cast-iron pots.

Good housekeeping begins with the right cleaning tools and ideas from a cleaning tips blog. Upgrade your cleaning methods with the Northland Blog.

Additional Tips:

If you are using a low-temperature or chlorine bath type dishwashing system, be sure to check and follow the manufacturer’s instructions that came with your stainless steel tableware.

Avoid using bath or laundry soap as they function differently and will not be as effective as dishwashing agents. More so, bath or laundry soaps may contain chemicals that will be harmful for the metallic kitchenware.

Improper use or faulty dishwashing system will cause staining or corrosion of even the finest stainless steel. This is why proper procedures must be followed to preserve and prolong the functional life of the kitchenware.