Maintaining and cleaning your stainless steel railings

Indoor railings only need to be cleaned as often as other indoor materials. Stainless steel surfaces should be washed occasionally before dirt or fingermarks become obvious - making the task of cleaning as easy as possible and minimising the risk of leaving marks behind or spoiling the surface finish of the railings.

Outdoors, stainless steel railings can often be exposed to a much harsher environment such as:
• salt from sea air and spray
• industrial pollution
• winter road salts
• car exhaust fumes

Any of the above may cause brown spots to appear on your stainless steel railings. A good rule of thumb is to clean the railings as regularly as you would clean the building's windows.

Where light contamination is likely the stainless steel railings should be cleaned every six to twelve months. Heavier contamination would require cleaning at three to six month intervals.

Cleaning agents that contain phosphoric acid are suitable for removing this type of brown spotting.

Cleaning agents to be used on your stainless steel railings

A damp rag or a 'chammy leather' is usually sufficient for wiping away light dirt and fingermarks from the railings. For tougher marks, a 'Scotch Brite' type of cleaning sponge will be appropriate.

Never use wire wool or metal brushes to clean stainless steel. Not only will they scratch the surface of the railings, but they will also deposit carbon steel particles that will form rust spots when exposed to moisture.

A soft nylon brush may be used for cleaning patterned stainless steel.

Polished finish stainless steel  showing visible polishing grains should be cleaned along the grain - not against the grain.

When water has been used in the cleaning or rinsing process always wipe the surface dry to prevent watermarks forming, especially in areas with hard water. The use of distilled water will help prevent this marking.

Always ensure that the cleaning material or agents used on your railings were not previously used for cleaning ordinary carbon steel. It is best to use cleaning materials designed specifically for use on stainless steel.

Fingermarks and similar spots on indoor stainless steel surfaces may easily be removed with soapy water or a mild washing up liquid.

Spray cleaners make cleaning easy and also leave a thin film enhancing the polished effect. Such cleaners remove fingermarks and reduce the likelihood of new marks forming. A soft dry cloth or rag should be used to buff to an attractive finish.

Discolouration on the railings should be removed mechanically using a nylon sponge like 'Scotch Brite' which is used in kitchens. Alternatively, it is possible to use retail cleaners containing phosphoric acid that are intended for use on stainless steel.

Stainless steel railings with a mirror finish may be cleaned using window cleaners as long as they do not contain chlorides (common salt).

For tougher spots, creamy polishers like 'Vim' cream, can be effective. These can also be used for wiping off water spots and can help prevent discolouration. Remove this type of residue by rinsing with clean water - preferably distilled and wipe away any remaining streaks of polish or watermarks. Do not use scouring powder as this will scratch the stainless steel surface.

Heavy grease or oil marks can be removed using denatured alcohol or acetone. Such solvents pose no risk of corroding stainless steel but be careful to limit the amount of solvent used and avoid spattering the spots over a larger area, which may make the cleaning more difficult. For this reason, it may be better to wash more than once using a pure solvent on a clean soft rag until all traces of the any grease are gone.

Paint and graffiti can be removed by using ordinary soda solutions or paint removers. Never use paint scrapers or knives to remove dirt or marks from your railings as they will easily scratch the stainless steel surface.

Poorly neglected surfaces may be cleaned with a metal polisher used for cleaning chromium plated surfaces such as on cars. Also the type of polishing agents used for polishing car enamel can be considered. Show caution however, as mirror finish surfaces can be scratched by this type of polisher.

Alternatively, use a special cleaner which contains phosphoric acid and is designed for use on stainless steel. Follow this by rinsing with distilled water and then wipe the surface dry. It is recommended that the entire surface of the component is treated at the same time so as to avoid the risk of a blotches on surface.

Do NOT use the following cleaning agents to clean stainless steel railings:

• cleaners containing chloride
• bleaches containing hypochlorite
• silver polish

Regular cleaning of your stainless steel railings

Outdoor railings will usually be 'self-cleaning' to a certain extent, with rainwater washing off accumulated dirt and other coatings if the surfaces are sufficiently and freely exposed.

Pay particular attention to stainless steel rainlings and components that are protected by a roof when performing routine cleaning to remove areas of accumulated airborne particles.

This is especially important in maritime and industrial environments where particles containing chlorides or sulphur oxides can accumulate and cause local corrosion if not removed effectively.

Fingermarks on indoor railings are very common and always undesirable.

Stainless steel comes in many different surface types, many of which are well suited to use in  busy public environments such as shopping centres or office blocks.

Selecting a surface finish that is less sensitive to fingermarks at the design stage, will probably mean reduced cleaning costs during the service life of the installation.

Brushed stainless steel surfaces are a popular choice for indoor application but can soon accumulate unsightly fingermarks. After just one or two cleanings such marks will gradually become less prominent.