Our brilliant stainless steel tumblers are perfect for enjoying iced tea or chilled coffee during the dog days of summer. However, after a season of regular use, you may notice some light staining. Here are several ways that you can remove the residue:
- Baking soda: Dampen a non-scratch pad or cloth and gently rub baking soda on the stained area. After this, rinse. For deep stains, mix the baking soda into boiling water and soak the stainless steel in the solution overnight.
- Cornstarch: Make a paste of cornstarch and vinegar and apply to the tea or coffee residue. Let sit for 15 minutes before wiping with a wet non-scratch pad or cloth.
- Detergent: Martha Stewart recommends mixing half a cup of baking soda with enough liquid dish detergent to form a paste. Spread on the cut side of half a lemon and scrub.
- Lemon: Perhaps the simplest method of all — skip the baking soda and soap and simply rub the cut lemon on the stains.
- Salt: Real Simple suggests sprinkling table salt on the outside of a lemon peel and using it like a rough sponge.
Always rub in the same direction as the stainless steel's grain. Avoid using harsh cleaning products, as they may corrode your favorite mug or tumbler, dulling the finish. In fact, Scott Curriden, of The Scripps Research Institute's Department of Environmental Health and Safety, warned in the institute's weekly newsletter that some common household cleaning products can cause irreversible damage.
"[Bleach] has been around for centuries and can be remarkably effective at killing bacteria and viruses. There are, however, some things to keep in mind." Curriden said in the institute's weekly newsletter. "[It] can drill a hole through stainless steel."
Browse the StainlessLUX website to see our wide array of stunning stainless steel products!