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advice for the product maintenance

How to Keep Your Foster Stainless Steel Looking Its Best

How to Keep Your Foster Stainless Steel Looking Its Best

Stainless steel products do not require special maintenance, but to preserve their appearance and ensure long-lasting durability, it is advisable to follow a few simple precautions and use specific, non-aggressive cleaners for daily care.

 

Successful Cleaning

In general, cleaning with warm water and dish soap, or a solution of warm water and vinegar (in equal parts), is sufficient. Follow with a generous rinse and thoroughly dry the surface with a soft cloth.

 

Avoid using hydrochloric acid, abrasive powders, steel wool pads, stiff brushes, or products intended for cleaning silver, as these can damage the surface of the stainless steel.
 

Get to Know Stainless Steel

Get to Know Stainless Steel

Stainless steel (INOX) is an extraordinary material, valued for its exceptional resistance, hygiene, and long-lasting durability.
To ensure these qualities are preserved over time, proper maintenance is essential.

One of its most remarkable properties is its ability to self-repair, thanks to an ultra-thin surface layer of chromium oxide known as the passivation layer—an invisible film that protects it from external agents.

To allow this barrier to continue performing its protective function effectively, it is crucial to avoid using harsh chemical substances that could damage it.
 

In the kitchen, in fact, several factors can compromise the passivation layer: overly aggressive detergents (especially if not rinsed properly), as well as natural elements like lemon juice or common table salt (sodium chloride).

If the passivation layer is compromised for an extended period, the material may become irreparably damaged, potentially leading to rust or even corrosion.

Keeping your sink or cooktop clean and, most importantly, free from deposited aggressive substances will help ensure the long life of your appliances.

Tips for Daily Cleaning

Tips for Daily Cleaning

Proper maintenance will allow you to keep your stainless steel surfaces shiny and unchanged over time.

For effective everyday care of stainless steel, we recommend using the following products:

  • Microfiber cloth
  • Warm water
  • White vinegar or dish soap

How to proceed

A simple and effective method for daily cleaning consists of preparing a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar in a separate container. Once ready, soak a soft cloth in the solution and gently wipe the surface to be cleaned.

This combination helps remove dirt, streaks, and limescale residues without damaging the steel. When you’re done, rinse thoroughly with plenty of running water (be mindful of the amount used on the cooktop!) to eliminate all product traces, then dry the surface carefully with a dry cloth. This will help prevent water spots and restore shine to your surface.

For Stubborn Stains… Professional Cleaning!

For Stubborn Stains… Professional Cleaning!

Daily use of your stainless steel sink or cooktop can lead to the appearance of stains (whitish, iridescent, or rust-colored), which do not indicate poor quality or defects in the material. The most common cases involve evaporated water stains, where mineral deposits, cleaning product residues not properly rinsed, cooking liquids, salt, lemon juice, or tomato can leave marks.

Any surface that has been affected can be treated using Foster Steel Clean Cream.

Thanks to its formula, the cream effectively removes residues that damage the surface, allowing the protective layer of the steel to regenerate.

Procedure:

  • Apply a generous amount of cream directly onto the steel surface (adjust quantity based on the area to be treated)
  • Rub with a soft cloth (such as microfiber), applying adequate pressure and following the direction of the steel’s grain.
  • As you rub, the cloth should begin to turn grey — this indicates that the product is working properly.
  • Continue to rub the cream thoroughly over the entire stainless steel surface.
  • Keep rubbing until the cream becomes a light white powder across the treated area.
  • Rinse the surface thoroughly with plenty of water to remove all traces of the cream.
  • After rinsing, dry the surface completely with a clean, dry cloth.

In the case of stubborn residues or pitting corrosion (localized corrosion spots), the treatment should be repeated several times in order to fully clean the affected area and allow proper regeneration of the passivation layer.

Maintenance of PVD-Coated Products

Maintenance of PVD-Coated Products

PVD finish is highly resistant to corrosion, but it still requires a bit of care to keep it looking beautiful over time.
When using cleaning products, don’t let them sit for too long: it’s always best to rinse thoroughly with plenty of water right after use. (Always be careful not to use too much water on the cooktop — it could seep into places it shouldn’t!)

Avoid using overly aggressive products such as hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, muriatic acid, bleach, ammonia, or cleaners for copper and silver. Abrasive detergents should also be avoided, as they may damage the surface.

Another important tip: don’t leave iron objects or metals other than stainless steel on the sink, as over time they may trigger chemical reactions that could harm the surface.

Also watch out for food residues: substances like tomato, coffee, milk, salt, vinegar, or red wine should not remain in contact with the steel for extended periods. After use, it’s always best to clean and dry the surface.

If you live in an area with particularly hard water, you may notice limescale spots. In that case, you can use a diluted descaling product — just make sure to rinse thoroughly and dry everything well at the end.

Steel Clean product line

Steel Clean product line

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE GUIDE TO STAINLESS STEEL CLEANING

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE GUIDE TO STAINLESS STEEL CLEANING

Stubborn cleaning procedure

The cream's potential guarantees the elimination of residues that damage the surface, enabling the regeneration of the steel's protective layerThe cream's potential guarantees the elimination of residues that damage the surface, enabling the regeneration of the steel's protective layerPour a good amount of cream on the steel (depending on the surface to be treated)Pour a good amount of cream on the steel (depending on the surface to be treated)Rub with the help of a soft cloth (e.g. microfibre). We recommend rubbing in the direction of the steel brushing, applying good force.Rub with the help of a soft cloth (e.g. microfibre). We recommend rubbing in the direction of the steel brushing, applying good force.As confirmation of the correct treatment (correct force applied) you will notice the cloth turning dark grey, an indication that the product is acting correctly on the surface.As confirmation of the correct treatment (correct force applied) you will notice the cloth turning dark grey, an indication that the product is acting correctly on the surface.Rub the cream vigorously over the entire surface of the stainless steel. The cream must be rubbed all over until it becomes a light layer of white powderRub the cream vigorously over the entire surface of the stainless steel. The cream must be rubbed all over until it becomes a light layer of white powderAt the end of the treatment, rinse with plenty of water to remove all residues of the cream used.At the end of the treatment, rinse with plenty of water to remove all residues of the cream used.After rinsing, dry the surface. Remember that for more stubborn residues it is necessary to repeat the treatment several times.After rinsing, dry the surface. Remember that for more stubborn residues it is necessary to repeat the treatment several times.
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