How to remove scale on stainless steel

The scale on the surface of stainless steel can be removed by soaking in white vinegar, wiping with baking soda paste, cleaning with citric acid solution, treating with special cleaning agents, or physical polishing. Scale is mainly formed by the deposition of calcium and magnesium ions in water, and long-term accumulation may affect the appearance and service life of appliances.

1. Soak in white vinegar

Mix white vinegar with water in a 1:1 ratio, dip it in a soft cloth, cover it with scale, and let it stand for 10 minutes. Acetic acid can dissolve alkaline scale components such as calcium carbonate, making it suitable for treating flat areas such as the bottom of electric kettles and the edges of sinks. Rinse with clean water after treatment to avoid residual acidity, and prolong soaking time for stubborn scale.

2. Wipe with Baking Soda Paste

Mix edible baking soda with a small amount of water to make a paste, dip it in a sponge or soft bristled brush, and wipe in circles. The micro particles of baking soda have a physical friction effect, and its weak alkalinity can neutralize acidic scale. It is suitable for details such as faucet joints and pot handles. After wiping, use a dry cloth to wipe clean to prevent powder residue.

3. Cleaning with citric acid solution

Dissolve 5 grams of food grade citric acid in 200 milliliters of warm water, pour it into a container with scale, boil it, and let it cool. Citric acid chelation can effectively decompose hard water deposits, making it particularly suitable for cleaning enclosed spaces such as the inner walls of insulated cups and the interlayer of steamers. When handling metal vessels, it is necessary to control the concentration to avoid corrosion.

4. Special cleaning agent treatment

Select stainless steel special cleaning agents containing hydroxy acetic acid or amino sulfonic acid components, spray and let stand for 3-5 minutes. This type of product optimizes the pH value for metal vessels, which can form a protective film while removing scale. When using, gloves should be worn to maintain ventilation. After cleaning, rinse thoroughly to avoid chemical residues.

5. Physical polishing

For stubborn mineralized scale, ultra-fine fiber cloth combined with toothpaste can be used for gentle polishing, or nano sponge can be used for wiping. This method is suitable for handling large flat surfaces such as countertops and cutlery racks, avoiding the use of hard objects such as steel wire balls for scratching. Applying olive oil after polishing can restore the surface glossiness of stainless steel.

When using stainless steel utensils in daily life, it is recommended to wipe off surface water stains in a timely manner after each use, and regularly flush pipe joints and other areas that are prone to water accumulation with hot water. Soft water machines can be installed in areas with hard water quality to reduce scale formation. When cleaning, food grade raw materials should be preferred to avoid corrosion. If discoloration or scratches caused by scale cannot be removed, it is recommended to contact professional metal maintenance services for treatment.