Stainless steel is one of the most unforgiving surfaces to clean. Traditionally, stainless steel cleaners are oil based because oil easily buffs out finger prints and leaves a glossy appearance. The only problem is that it doesn’t actually clean the surface. Instead it leaves an oily layer of product and as soon as the next person uses the elevator or rests a hand on the bathroom stall, fingerprints are left behind.
This conclusion has brought many to the drawing board, including 3M. One of the many products we had the opportunity to learn more about on our recent trip to their facility is the 3M Stainless Steel Cleaner and Protector, the first oil free stainless steel cleaner that uses scotch-guard protection.
Although it may visibly appear that your elevators are cleaner after wiping them down with an oil based product, oil is not effective because it attracts dust and dirt. Overtime, embedded soils may lead to corrosion, which can dull and discolor the natural sheen of the surface. The 3M Stainless Steel Cleaner and Protector is water based and cleans in addition to ridding the surface of visible marks. The product leaves a transparent barrier of scotch-guard protection that becomes even more effective with consistent use. There is no buffing required, which also saves time.
Overspray of oil based products can also lead to safety hazards like slips and falls. Overspray and spillage is a concern for a variety of cleaning products. For example, using acid based products may be necessary to remove hard water stains, but accidentally spilling acidic cleaners on the tile floor can lead to damage. Or in this case, it is natural for overspray of oil products to end up on the floor, leaving it slippery. It is always important to take necessary precautions when handling cleaning chemicals, but it is even better when you don’t need to think twice about adverse effects. A water based cleaner eliminates this worry.
Stainless steel is only increasing in popularity due to its sleek look and ability to resist rust. It can be found in a variety of places like elevators, kitchens, fixtures, kick plates, you name it. That is why we are so excited to now have a product that both cleans and protects such surfaces in the facilities we service. We look forward to adding this new product into our collection of daily necessities.