User Manual
72
TRUE RESIDENTIAL
®
CAUTION: DO NOT USE ANY STEEL WOOL, 
ABRASIVE OR CHLORINE BASED PRODUCTS TO 
CLEAN STAINLESS STEEL SURFACES.
STAINLESS STEEL OPPONENTS
There are three basic things which can break down 
your stainless steel’s passivity layer and allow 
corrosion to rear its ugly head.
1.  Scratches from wire brushes, scrapers, and steel 
pads are just a few examples of items that can be 
abrasive to stainless steel’s surface.
2.  Deposits left on your stainless steel can leave 
spots. You may have hard or soft water depending 
on what part of the country you live in. Hard water 
can leave spots. Hard water that is heated can 
leave deposits if left to sit too long. These deposits 
can cause the passive layer to break down and 
rust your stainless steel.  
All deposits left from food prep or service should 
be removed as soon as possible.
3.  Chlorides are present in table salt, food, and 
water. Household and industrial cleaners are the 
worst type of chlorides  
to use.
RECOMMENDED CLEANERS FOR CERTAIN SITUATIONS / 
ENVIRONMENTS OF STAINLESS STEEL
A.  Soap, ammonia and detergent medallion applied 
with a cloth or sponge can be used for routine 
cleaning.
B.  Arcal 20, Lac-O-Nu Ecoshine applied provides 
barrier film for fingerprints and smears. 
C.  Cameo, Talc, Zud First Impression is applied by 
rubbing in the direction of the polished lines for 
stubborn stains and discoloring. 
D.  Easy-off and De-Grease It oven aid are excellent 
for removals on all finishes for grease-fatty acids, 
blood and burnt-on foods.
E.  Any good commercial detergent can be applied 
with a sponge or cloth to remove grease and oil.
F.  Benefit, Super Sheen, Sheila Shine are good for 
restoration / passivation.
NOTE: THE USE OF STAINLESS STEEL 
CLEANERS OR OTHER SUCH SOLVENTS IS NOT 
RECOMMENDED ON PLASTIC PARTS. WARM 
SOAP AND WATER WILL SUFFICE.
8 STEPS THAT CAN HELP PREVENT RUST ON STAINLESS STEEL:
1. USING THE CORRECT CLEANING TOOLS
  Use non-abrasive tools when cleaning your stainless steel 
products. The stainless steel’s passive layer will not be 
harmed by soft cloths and plastic scouring pads. Step 2 
tells you how to find the polishing marks.
2.  CLEANING ALONG THE POLISH LINES
  Polishing lines or “grain” are visible on some stainless 
steels. Always scrub parallel to visible lines on some 
stainless steels. Use a plastic scouring pad or soft cloth 
when you cannot see the grain.
3.  USE ALKALINE, ALKALINE CHLORINATED OR NON-     
CHLORIDE CONTAINING CLEANERS
  While many traditional cleaners are loaded with chlorides, 
the industry is providing an ever increasing choice of non-
chloride cleaners. If you are not sure of your cleaner’s 
chloride content contact your cleaner supplier. If they 
tell you that your present cleaner contains chlorides, 
ask if they have an alternative. Avoid cleaners containing 
quaternary salts as they can attack stainless steel, causing 
pitting and rusting.
4.   WATER TREATMENT
  To reduce deposits, soften the hard water when possible. 
Installation of certain filters can remove corrosive and 
distasteful elements. Salts in a properly maintained water 
softener can be to your advantage. Contact a treatment 
specialist if you are not sure of the proper water 
treatment.
5. MAINTAINING THE CLEANLINESS OF YOUR FOOD   
EQUIPMENT
  Use cleaners at the recommended strength (alkaline 
chlorinated or non-chloride). Avoid build-up of hard 
stains by cleaning frequently. When boiling water with 
your stainless steel equipment, the single most likely cause 
of damage is chlorides in the water. Heating any cleaners 
containing chlorides will have the same damaging effects.
6. RINSE
  When using chlorinated cleaners you must rinse and wipe 
dry immediately. It is better to wipe standing cleaning 
agents and water as soon as possible. Allow the stainless 
steel equipment to air dry. Oxygen helps maintain the 
passivity film on stainless steel.
7. HYDROCHLORIC ACID (MURIATIC ACID) SHOULD NEVER   
BE USED ON STAINLESS STEEL
8. REGULARLY RESTORE/PASSIVATE STAINLESS STEEL
STAINLESS STEEL EQUIPMENT CARE AND CLEANING










