Hi Everyone
I hope this doesn't make me sound dumb but alot of my stainless steel spatulas/spoons are rusty and horrible looking. Just wondering if there is something I can do to make them sparkle again?
Thanks
Krysia
Cleaning Stainless spatulas
- Krysia Lee
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- Graham Kemp
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- Job Title: Laboratory Assistant
- School: St John's School
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Re: Cleaning Stainless spatulas
Hydrochloric acid is a good rust solvent. It will also handle most residues. Just don't leave the spatulas overlong in an acid bath as it will also dissolve the iron! (And the chrome for that matter.)
The problem is, they're rusty because the the chromium content of the steel surface has already been compromised. An acid bath isn't exactly going to help that either. Although the treatment will clean them, the spatculas are not going to remain stainless for long.
The problem is, they're rusty because the the chromium content of the steel surface has already been compromised. An acid bath isn't exactly going to help that either. Although the treatment will clean them, the spatculas are not going to remain stainless for long.
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Re: Cleaning Stainless spatulas
I accidentally found that using them as stainless steel electrodes in galvanic cells cleans them as well. I just can't remember what the solutions or the other electrodes were to reproduce it! It was a few years back and the teacher had forgotten to request the REAL stainless steel electrodes so she just grabbed the spatulas. Worked a treat!
Re: Cleaning Stainless spatulas
Hi All,
Place them in bleach for an hour and they will be rejuvenated.
Cheers,
Robb.....
Place them in bleach for an hour and they will be rejuvenated.
Cheers,
Robb.....
Dr Robert Crosdale. MRACI. NSS. NSSA. NASA.
Ph.D (Chem), Post Grad Ph.D (Physics), M.Ed, B.Sc (Hons), Dip. Appl. Sc. (Chem)
Lake Munmorah High School.
University of New England.
University of New South Wales.
University of Newcastle.
To understand the Universe from our perspective, we need to look towards our own backyard first for answers.
** AD ASTRA PER ASPERA - SEMPER EXPLORO **
Ph.D (Chem), Post Grad Ph.D (Physics), M.Ed, B.Sc (Hons), Dip. Appl. Sc. (Chem)
Lake Munmorah High School.
University of New England.
University of New South Wales.
University of Newcastle.
To understand the Universe from our perspective, we need to look towards our own backyard first for answers.
** AD ASTRA PER ASPERA - SEMPER EXPLORO **
- Graham Kemp
- Posts: 173
- Joined: 22 Nov 2011, 09:21
- Job Title: Laboratory Assistant
- School: St John's School
- Suburb: Roma
- State/Location: QLD
Re: Cleaning Stainless spatulas
Possibly sodium carbonate (washing soda) or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)?RosalieM wrote:I accidentally found that using them as stainless steel electrodes in galvanic cells cleans them as well. I just can't remember what the solutions or the other electrodes were to reproduce it! It was a few years back and the teacher had forgotten to request the REAL stainless steel electrodes so she just grabbed the spatulas. Worked a treat!
- Krysia Lee
- Posts: 228
- Joined: 27 Oct 2009, 10:40
- Job Title: Labbie
- School: Brigidine College
- Suburb: St Ives
- State/Location: NSW
Re: Cleaning Stainless spatulas
THANK YOU EVERYONE. Loving you all!