Ask the Carpenter: How to get rid of stains on not-so-stainless steel
Don’t let the name fool you. You can really do some damage.
Q. I’m trying to figure out how to deal with a problem I created (and about which my wife loves to remind me). I cleaned the bottom of our refrigerator with one of those soft-scrub products and altered the finish. Is there any way it can be restored so that it matches the rest of the appliance?
JOE
A. My first call would be to the appliance store for guidance. There are four approaches you can take:
Steam cleaning
Heat water to boiling in a kettle with a spout, so you’ll be able to pour it. Place a paper or microfiber towel over the stained surface. Pour enough of the boiling water onto the towel to wet it. Allow it to steam for five to 10 minutes. By then, it will have cooled, and you can rub it with the paper towel (see tip below). This may remove the stain. If it doesn’t, try the next approach.
Baking soda and dish soap
Baking soda mixed with liquid dish soap can make a good paste to rub on stains — gently. Use a microfiber or other soft cloth. Be sure to rinse the surface thoroughly and towel dry.
Vinegar
Pour a little white vinegar onto the stained surface. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then rub it with a soft cloth. Remember to rinse thoroughly and towel dry.
Stainless-steel cleaner
If the stains still don’t budge, try a stainless-steel cleaner and polisher. The Soft Scrub brand makes Advanced Surface Gel, which can be used on stainless steel. Be sure to wipe with a non-scratch microfiber.
Tips to prevent stains on stainless steel:
■ Never use bleach or anything containing chlorine;
■ Don’t use oven cleaners near it;
■ Don’t use abrasive cleaners;
■ Don’t use steel wool or other abrasive cleaning pads.
TIP When cleaning stainless steel, remember that it has a grain, just like wood. For the best results, wipe in the same direction as the faint striations. Wiping across the grain will deposit grime and residue into the crevices.
Q. We removed our old frosted-glass sliding shower doors, which were on an aluminum track, and replaced them with a shower curtain. One of the side tracks came right off, but we are having trouble removing the other two — off the top of the tub and the ceramic tile wall. Any suggestions on how to loosen and ultimately remove the clear adhesive? We’ve tried a few solvents with no luck. The last contractor we consulted said we’d have to redo the tile and was not sure about the tub. Many thanks.
L.W., Belmont
A. Before you resort to tearing tile off the wall, try using a heat gun and a 5-in-1 painter’s tool to pry off the track. Start on one end and really heat it up, and then try to get the 5-in-1 tool under the track. Once you get it to lift, focus the heat gun in the next area and work your way down the track. Let us know how you do, and good luck.
Rob Robillard is a general contractor, carpenter, editor of AConcordCarpenter.com, and principal of a carpentry and renovation business. Send your questions to [email protected] or tweet them to @robertrobillard. Subscribe to our free real estate newsletter at pages.email.bostonglobe.com/AddressSignUp.
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