Stainless steel is a steel alloy comprised of at least 10.5 percent chromium. When chromium comes into contact with oxygen in the air, it forms chromium oxide. Stainless steel contains enough chromium to form a thin invisible layer that protects the stainless surface from everyday dirt and moisture. But if dirt or food  is allowed to sit on stainless steel for a period of time, it can retain moisture and acids on the surface causing it to corrode or stain.

Frequent cleaning will prevent that from happening. More importantly, you won't have to worry about compromising the protective layer of chromium oxide because it naturally regenerates itself, replacing whatever was removed while cleaning. This phenomenon is called passivation. Here are a few “do” and “don't” suggestions to help keep your stainless steel furniture clean and lustrous:

            Do

• For everyday cleaning, simply use warm water alone or with a mild detergent such as dishwashing liquid. Using a microfiber cloth, wipe in the direction of the grain of the metal. Be sure to completely rinse the detergent off to prevent staining and spotting. Then thoroughly towel dry to prevent water spots, especially if you live in an area with hard water that contains a high concentration of minerals.
• For weekly cleaning, we recommend an abrasive cleaner such as Bon Ami, Zud, or Bar Keepers Friend that won't scratch the finish. For a less abrasive approach, use a paste of baking soda and water. Always wipe in the direction of the metal grain so it blends with the stainless surface. Then rinse and towel dry.
• To remove stubborn stains, use a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice. Combine the two into a paste and leave on the stain for five minutes or so. The stain will disappear and the citric acid in the lemon juice will revitalize the stainless chromium coating.
• There are a number of ways to rejuvinate stainless steel's natural luster and give it a gleaming finish. Rub dry baking flour on the stainless with a soft cloth, then rinse and dry. Pour some club soda on the surface, rub and dry. Add a few drops of baby oil, olive oil or furniture polish, especially those containing orange oil, wipe off with paper toweling and repeat for added shine.
• To remove fingerprints and smudges, use a glass cleaner, household ammonia, or even vinegar. As always, rinse and dry thoroughly

            Don't

• Avoid using cleaners containing chlorides (such as chlorine bleach), bromides, iodides, and thiocyanates on stainless steel as these chemicals will cause pitting, corrosion, and metal discoloration.
• Also, do not let salty solutions to evaporate and dry on stainless steel which could cause   corrosive conditions.
• Do not use steel wool pads or steel brushes. The iron particles left behind can lead to rust and corrosion and can scratch the stainless steel surface.

By following these few simple steps, your stainless steel furniture will retain its original beauty for many years to come.