Only So Much You Can Do When Cleaning Stainless Steel

LESLIE: Philip in Arkansas is on the line and needs some help cleaning stainless steel. How can we help you today?

PHILIP: I have got six stainless-steel sinks in the place where I usually work and my wife works. And they are really dirty. One of them, somebody’s put a lot of dry ice in it and it’s really corroded, white, whatever color. And in others – or just got a lot of spots. I’ve about done everything I can. I’ve used some of that bar stuff and SOS and everything thing I can but I don’t know how to clean them.

TOM: Well, it might be that you that these stains – these sinks – are not so much dirty but they’re just sort of discolored and you really can’t get back where you want to go. The product that I usually use for cleaning stainless steel is by Weiman – W-e-i-m-a-n. It’s a stainless-steel cleaner and a polish. It seems to work pretty well. But it sounds to me like you’ve already thrown everything you could find against these stainless-steel sinks and you’re not getting anywhere with it.

PHILIP: Yeah. Yes, sir.

TOM: Especially if you use that Bar Keepers Best Friend. That’s pretty good stuff for cleaning stainless steel.

LESLIE: Bar Keepers Friend is very good stuff.

PHILIP: Yes, I’ve used the Bar Keepers Friend and I’ve, you know, sort of pasted it up, put it on there. I’ve even used a drill.

TOM: Oh, boy. Yeah. I think it’s fair to say that these sinks are beyond cleaning, Leslie.

You’ve hooked up a drill and cleaning wheel with it. I don’t think you’re going to get them any better.

PHILIP: OK. Well, I guess then – I hope I don’t – guess they can say – they said I can get fired over it then.

TOM: Well, I don’t think you should get fired over it, no, because I think you’ve done the best you can. You’ve certainly made every effort and you’ve used some very good products for cleaning stainless steel. I think what’s happened here is that the metal itself is discolored, it’s changed. It’s a chemical reaction. It’s not something you’re going to be able to pull out of it.

PHILIP: OK. And what was that stuff that – what you said?

TOM: Yeah, it’s by Weiman – W-e-i-m-a-n. It’s a stainless-steel cleaner – W-e-i-m-a-n.

PHILIP: Stainless-steel cleaner. OK, well, I haven’t tried that stuff yet.

TOM: Alright. Well, give it a shot and good luck. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT. If they want to fire you, you make sure they call us first, OK? We’ll straighten them out.

PHILIP: OK. Thank you very much and God bless.