Maintaining Stainless Steel

Stainless steel has become a popular surface material and finish that can be used in a variety of ways, including countertops, sinks, appliances and furniture. While this attractive and hygienic surface cannot be regarded as completely maintenance free, its luster and appearance can be preserved indefinitely with proper maintenance.

All grades and finishes of stainless steel may in fact stain, discolor or attain an adhering layer of grime with normal wear. To achieve maximum corrosion resistance the surface of the stainless steel must be kept clean at all times. Quite simply, clean the metal when it is dirty in order to restore its original appearance. Frequent cleaning with mild soap and water or glass cleaner and a cotton cloth is best. There are many stainless steel cleaning products on the market but sometimes these products will aid in developing corrosion or discoloration due to environmental and installation conditions.

The following is a list of common conditions that cause corrosion or discoloration of stainless steel and SHOULD BE AVOIDED:

  • Chloride containing cleansers: This includes bleach and any bleach containing cleaners
  • Muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid): Commonly used to clean up after tile/concrete installation
  • Concentrated soap residue: Chemical additives will cause discoloration and some dried soaps actually look like rust
  • Water with high iron content: Can leave a rusty residue, especially if allowed to drip continuously
  • Contact with iron materials: This includes steel wool, machining chips, and iron residue/dust from installation or cleaning of other steel products
  • Trapped moisture between the product and another object: Rubber mats, metal cans of soaps or cleaners
  • Salts: They contain chlorides and can easily damage stainless steel

Any discoloration or corrosion should be removed as soon as possible. Usually, the product can be restored to its original condition with a mild cleanser (Ajax, Bon Ami) or stainless steel cleaner (Revere Ware Stainless Steel Cleaner, Goddard’s Stainless Steel Cleaner) and a Scotchbrite pad. The surface should then be thoroughly rinsed with clear water.

Minnesota Give to the Max Day, November 15

Help support local Non-Profit Rebuilding Together Twin Cities TOMORROW during Minnesota’s Give to the Max Day! Rebuilding Tomorrow helps to bring our volunteers and communities together to help improve the homes and lives of low-income homeowners. Here at Castle we believe it is important to give back to our community and we encourage you to do the same. Help our friends over at Rebuilding Tomorrow, as well as any other non-profit organization that pulls at your heart by donating at givemn.org

Katie Jaydan Chosen as Professional Remodeler’s Featured 40 Under 40

 

Each Year Professional Remodeler selects 40 of the top young remodeling industry professionals to recognize. The group consists of a diverse set of industry professionals who are leaders in their field and Katie Jaydan was selected!

Katie is the Lead Interior Designer at Castle Building & Remodeling. She earned a BS in Interior Design from the Art Institutes International Minnesota. Katie is a member of ASID and NARI Green, and is NCIDQ certified. With NARI Green, she designed the first GreenStar Pilot Program certified remodel in Minnesota. Katie has been employed with Castle since 2006. See Katie’s work on Castle’s website at http://castlebri.com/portfolio.html or on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/castlebri/.

Castle Joins Northeast Investment Cooperative – Can the Citizens of NE Cooperate to Fix Up Central Ave?

Castle is excited to announce that we recently became members of NEIC (Northeast Investment Cooperative).  NEIC is a for profit cooperative that aims to raise capital and purchase and lease commercial real estate on Central Ave in NE Minneapolis.  The area does not work with traditional developers business models or target markets.  The goal is to make transformative investments that will eventually tip the Central and Lowry intersection and attract more owner occupied independent businesses.  NEIC had nine new members sign up last week, and three new people pledged membership! That brings membership to 67 people who have paid $1,000, plus another 18 who have pledged to join NEIC sometime in the next few months.   NEIC has a lot of momentum and has garnered some local media already.

Here is a link to the website www.neic.coop which explains more.  I have personally joined NEIC as well and would encourage you all to attend an upcoming info meeting on Sept 19th at 7pm at the East Side Food Coop if you are interested in learning more.  Check out this cool photo of Central & Lowry from 1953.