Caring for Stainless Steel Labware

If you want to prolong the life of laboratory utensils made of stainless steel then it is necessary to take proper care of them. The following points given below give some useful hints in caring for stainless steel laboratory utensils.

• Using Proper Tools : While cleaning stainless steel products, it is better to use non-abrasive tools. Soft cloths and plastic scouring pads if used does not cause any damage to the steel’s passive layer. Using stainless steel pads is also a good option but the scrubbing motion must be directed towards the polishing marks.
  
  
• Cleaning Along the Polish Lines : Often some types of stainless steel lab products come with polishing lines or “grain”which are visible. If visible lines are seen then scrubbing should be done in a motion which is parallel to them. In case grains are not seen a soft cloth or plastic scouring pad can be used.
  
  
• Use of Appropriate Cleaners : For stainless steelware Alkaline, Alkaline Chlorinated, or Non-Chloride cleaners works best at recommended strength. These days along with traditional chloride cleaners there is also available non-chloride cleaners. Cleaners with quaternary salts are to be avoided as they are known to attack stainless steel and result in pitting and rusting. Hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid) are never to be used on stainless steel.
  
  
• Frequent Cleaning : There is nothing like frequent cleaning of stainless steel labware. This is the best way to avoid and check build-up of hard and stubborn stains. While using chlorinated cleaners there is need to rinse thoroughly. Afterwards it should be immediately wiped dry for removing any traces of chlorination. Wiping should be followed by air drying as oxygen facilitates to maintain the the passivity film of stainless steel.
  
  
• Water Treatment : If the water is soft, the deposit build up on the stainless steel products can be reduced to a large extent. Filters if installed, can eliminate distasteful and corrosive elements.