Contrary to popular belief, stainless steel does require a degree of maintenance, no matter how sturdy and durable they are. Regular maintenance and cleaning of all types of stainless steel furniture are important to preserve their attractive and functional attributes. This is especially true for industrial environments where they are exposed to dirt and smog. Maintaining stainless steel tables in an industrial setting is a little different than in a normal environment. To make things easier, we’ve presented some tips below.

1. Stainless steel passivation

Stainless steel passivation is a process where stainless steel is made less generally reactive to external and environmental chemical influences, especially rusting. Furniture can get quite weak due to oxidation and passivation prevents this from happening.  To properly passivize stainless steel furniture, you should clean them using ionized water. You may also clean furnishings with a nitric acid solution or any other mild oxidant to start the process.

2. Avoid cleaning against the grain

All stainless steel furnishings including furniture have a wood-like grain to them. A closer look at their surface will reveal that grain. It is very important to follow the grain when wiping down the surface. If this direction is not followed, it's much easier for dirt and other chemical irritants to build up on the surface. Not only will this result in hard-to-remove stains, but also result in cracking, corrosion and stainless steel breaking apart.

3. Avoiding chlorine usage

One of the biggest advantages of stainless steel furniture is the fact that they are not susceptible to oxidation or rust. This is possible as stainless steel furniture is made using an alloy of both steel and chromium, which prevents oxygen molecules from reacting with the surface. However, chlorine and other solvents containing the element can strip away this protective layer of chromium and expose the furniture surface within. 

4. Warm cloth, water, and detergent

Sometimes the simplest cleaning solutions like warm cloth, water, and detergent are the best for cleaning stainless steel tables. They are enough to handle most mild stains that are common in such a work environment. Thoroughly cleaning it using mild detergents will remove dirt and other impurities. To avoid any water stains, you should rinse everything with water, and gently wipe it down using a dry cloth.

5. Frequent cleaning regime

There’s no such thing as cleaning too much or too often. A tight and frequent cleaning regime, when implemented correctly, does not inflict any damage whatsoever to stainless steel. While the frequency of cleaning is a personal decision to make, it is recommended that stainless steel tables fo other furniture be cleaned as frequently as possible, especially those used in an industrial setting. The more vigorous the tasks performed on the furniture, the more seriously the cleaning regime should be implemented.

Conclusion

High-quality stainless steel tables or other furniture is a required feature in almost every modern laboratory or industrial workplace. When purchasing stainless steel furniture, you should always acquire it from certified dealers and manufacturers who can provide licensed products that can last a long time.