STAINLESS STEEL CARE FOR HANDRAILS AND BALUSTRADES

As care and trouble-free as your stainless steel handrails are, there are still some simple maintenance tips that should be implemented to make your handrails always look their best. Indeed, for the best wear, integrity, and appearance of your handrails, a few essential tips are in order. Fortunately, these tips are relatively easy to perform (they can be also used to clean your galvanized steel handrails and balustrading) infrequently to maintain a beautiful finish.
 Maintenance & Care of Your Stainless Steel Handrail
 
Most people consider stainless steel to be a totally maintenance-free material. And fortunately, to at least a great extent, it is. Unlike platinum or gold, however, stainless steel can rust, which causes it to be less than completely maintenance-free. In its favor, it should be noted that the beauty of stainless steel can be preserved with proper maintenance and cleaning. With routine care, stainless steel handrails can be cleaned with the most common household products. 
 
The recommended cleaning frequency depends mainly on the environment in which they are installed. Handrails that are used out of doors will need to be cleaned more often than those inside of a home or building. If handrails are installed in outdoor locations, especially corrosive environments, they might require more frequent cleaning to keep them looking their best. 
 
The aesthetic requirements of a home or commercial building will also dictate the cleaning frequency of stainless steel handrails. If handrails are located inside of a façade, for example, cleaning of stainless steel handrails could be limited to a few times a year, such as when windows are cleaned for best results. If handrails are exposed to more severe soiling, pressure washing with hot water can be used to remove dirt and other foreign materials. A mildly abrasive cleaner can also be used on stainless steel. 
 
Cleaners that have highly abrasive content should be avoided to prevent damage. If stainless steel is coated with a paint of some kind, special care should be paid in order to avoid damaging the surface. The following cleaning procedure is strongly encouraged.

Give the handrail a light rinsing with water to remove dust and light dirt.

• Using water with mild soap products, use a soft fiber brush to remove heavier dirt.
• Rinse with water.
• Remove remaining water with a soft cloth. It may be necessary to use a light polish after washing to restore the luster to the steel.
•  Stainless Steel and Rust 
   
  As has been stated previously, stainless steel handrails are not highly susceptible to rust; however, if they are installed in an environment that would generally be considered more harsh, such as highly polluted areas, salty air, and residues of certain chemicals, rust can form on the surface. This is especially true when specific grades of steel are used in its manufacturing. Rust can also form when fasteners made of ordinary steel are used to secure other materials to stainless steel. Despite all of this, stainless steel will only form rust and other discoloration when a foothold is allowed. For this reason, stainless steel should be given general care to prevent this. IF this care is given, there should be no reason that rust should form on stainless steel at any time during the life of a handrail. Even in the harshest environments, a stainless steel handrail should be able to last a lifetime.
   
  Cleaning Bare Stainless Steel
   
  The best way to clean stainless steel that is left bare is to use warm water with soap or a mild detergent. After rinsing the surface, use a soft cloth made wet with the soapy water to dislodge the dirt or stain material and wipe dry. Making sure that the surface is wiped dry instead of being allowed to air dry will help the appearance. A pressure washer should never be used on bare stainless steel.
   
  Cleaning Frequency
   
  When stainless steel owners ask the question, “How frequently should I clean my handrails and balustrades?” the best answer is often, “Well, that depends.” And it’s true. Cleaning stainless steel is mostly a matter of inclination. When a user considers their stainless steel handrails dirty, they should be cleaned, although the type of cleaning used should be a matter of their best judgment. Generally speaking, stainless steel is a material that will endure a lot of abuse and still retain its looks, but care should always be taken to ensure that harsh chemicals are not used since this will ruin the surface finish. Likewise, products such as wire pads, stiff brushes, and other tools should also be avoided to prevent scratching of the surface. 
   
  Using a mild soap or cleanser with a soft cloth or brush, along with gentle rubbing, should leave your stainless steel handrails looking like new. Always finish with buffing with a polishing cloth or a soft cleaning cloth will help to restore the lustre of stainless steel. 
   
  Cleaning Stainless Steel in Public Places
   
  Stainless steel handrails that are installed in public areas present a special challenge to owners who want to keep them clean. Obviously, with more massive amounts of traffic, there will be more significant amounts of dirt and grime that handrails are faced with. Regardless, harsh chemicals should still not be used since these cleaners will often remove the chrome-oxide layer that stainless steel is covered with. This chrome-oxide layer is what makes stainless steel, well, stainless. This is the primary reason why INOX-Clean is an excellent product to be used on stainless steel. INOX-Clean is made of phosphoric acid, one of the primary ingredients in Coca-Cola. INOX-Clean is an excellent product to clean stainless steel since it is not only a gentle but effective solution to clean, but it is safe for the user as well. 
   
  INOX-Clean is water-soluble, so it mixes to create a gentle cleaner for stainless steel. It is just brushed on and either rubbed off with a soft cloth or towel.