Care & Maintenance of Stainless Steel/ GoldPlate
Stainless Steel is hygienic, corrosion resistant, does not impart odour or colour to food, long lasting, and easy to clean and keep clean. It is not a superficial protective surface or plating so that there is no risk of surface flaking or peeling; it will not lose its corrosive resistance even if the surface gets deeply scratched after years of service.

Stainless Steel will stain and discolour due to surface deposits. In order to achieve maximum corrosion resistance the surface of the stainless steel must be kept clean.

The frequency of cleaning should be to clean the metal when it is dirty in order to restore it to its original appearance; this may be once to four times a year for external applications, daily for an item in hygienic or aggressive situations or regularly and immediately after any potentially deleterious procedure.

Surface contamination and the formation of deposits must be prevented. These deposits may be minute particles of iron or rust from other sources used on the building of new premises and not removed until after the stainless steel items have been fixed. Industrial and even naturally ocurring atmospheric conditions can produce deposits which can be equally corrosive, eg. salt deposits from marine conditions.

Cleaning Procedures

It is important to rinse any stainless steel surface with clear water after any application of cleansers and also to wipe dry after washing; often tap water contains dissolved mineral salts, which will remain if allowed to dry naturally, leaving scale deposits which are unsightly and which might taint food.

Use nylon bristle brushes to loosen stubborn burnt food or grease, not metal scapers or carbon steel wool - iron particles can become embedded in the stainless steel and cause further surface problems.

Use soaps, mild detergents with water for all routine cleaning, also bleaches and solvents if necessary, diluted to the suppliers instructions. Use alkaline types if you are using cleaning solutions, preferably those containing phosphates, carbonates, hydroxides or silicates - avoid those containing hypochlorites; bleaches containing chlorine can attack stainless steel.

DO NOT use silver dip polish on stainless steel surfaces as it can cause discolouration.
If any should spill onto stainless steel, rinse off immediately.

DO NOT leave carbon steel knives or mild steel components lying on wet stainless steel surfaces. They can leave stains, though these can be wiped away easily enough with a non-abrasive cleaner such as Jif.

DO NOT use wire wool on stainless steel, fragments of wire can rust leaving rust marks on the surface.

Fingerprints: Soap or warm water or organic solvent (eg Usher Walker Thinners No. PF8017, acetone, alcohol)

Stubborn Stains: Mild cleaning solutions ... Jif, Goddard Stainless Steel Care Solution

Rust and other products of Corrosion: Oxalic Acid; the cleaning solution should be applied with a swab and allowed to stand for 15-20 minutes before being washed away with water. May continue using Cif Soultion (new name for Jif) to give final clean!

Scratches: Impregnated nylon pads - polishing with scurfs dressed with iron-free abrasives - apply in the direction of polishing.

So get that fabulous ring...just take care of your treasure!