Why Cleaning Stainless Steel With Paper Towels Is An Unwise Choice

"Stainless steel is known for its shiny look and incredible durability, which makes it a great choice in your kitchen, whether we're talking stainless steel appliances or cookware. But when cleaning cooking residue and grease from pans or polishing off your stainless-steel fridge, it's important you don't reach for the paper towels since they can leave scratches and leftover fibers on the surface of the material."

"Paper towels have a comparatively rough touch compared to softer alternatives like microfiber cloths or 100% cotton dish towels, which are known to be gentler and help keep stainless steel flawlessly shiny and smooth. While the scratches paper towels leave are often tiny, over time they can impact your stainless-steel pot's quality, including factors like heat conduction and removal of tiny dirt particles. Plus, those inevitable, little specks of paper towel residue are frustrating and hinder the shiny appearance."

"In contrast, a good microfiber cloth softly cleans the metal's surface without leftover scratches, fibers, or particles. Cotton or microfiber cloths are super absorbent, so they leave minimal streaks and instead give your stainless-steel fridge surface or cookware that extra sheen. Further, paper towels might be doing more harm than good anyway, since they are disposable, require significant natural resources to manufacture, and can cost you a pretty penny at the grocery store when used constantly."

Stainless steel offers a shiny appearance and durable performance for appliances and cookware. Paper towels are relatively abrasive and can leave tiny scratches and fibers on stainless-steel surfaces. Repeated scratching can gradually affect cookware quality, including heat conduction and entrapment of dirt particles. Microfiber cloths and 100% cotton dish towels are gentler, more absorbent, and reduce streaking while preserving shine. A good microfiber cloth cleans without leaving scratches, fibers, or particles. Paper towels are disposable, consume significant natural resources to produce, and add recurring cost when used frequently. Gentle cleaning and avoiding harsh chemicals, steel wool, and abrasive sponge edges help maintain stainless-steel longevity. Handwashing with mild soap and warm water is recommended for stainless-steel pans.

Read at www.tastingtable.com