Back to Hard Surfaces Chart

Surfaces	Items	Routine Care	Special Instructions
Metal     Aluminum	Appliances Accessories Trim	Clean with a nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner, using a sponge or cloth. Rinse with a sponge or cloth wrung from clean water; dry with a clean, soft cloth.	Heavily soiled surfaces may require multiple cleanings or soaking in a solution of nonabrasive, all-purpose cleaner and warm water.
	Outdoor Furniture	Clean with a nonabrasive, all-purpose cleaner, using a sponge or cloth. Rinse with a sponge or cloth wrung from clean water; dry with a clean, soft cloth.	Use a steel wool soap pad to remove stubborn soils. Protect furniture by applying a coat of paste wax and buff with a clean, soft cloth. Clean strap type furniture with a vinyl cleaner that contains bleach. Spray surface with cleaner, keeping surface wet for 5 minutes to give the bleach a chance to work on any mildew stains. Scrub out stains on acrylics using a synthetic sponge, or use a plastic scrub on polyesters. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Remove suntan lotion from synthetic cushions with a household cleaner containing pine oil.
	Window Blinds	Dust regularly with a clean, soft cloth, or the brush attachment of the vacuum. Clean with water, gently scrubbing with a sponge or cloth. Dry with a clean, soft cloth.	Follow blind manufacturer's care instructions.
Brass	Decorative Objects	For lacquered brass, rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth. To remove tarnish from unlacquered brass only, use a brass cleaner according to the label directions.	Brass items coated with a lacquered finish require only dusting and an occasional rinsing in water. Dry with a clean, soft cloth. Do not use any cleaner on lacquered brass items.
	Faucets	The ideal cleaning technique is to wipe the faucet dry whenever water is splashed on it. Water deposits will not form if water is not allowed to evaporate on the surface. Use a brass cleaner.	Follow faucet manufacturer's care instructions.
Chrome-plated   Steel	Appliance     Trim	Clean with a nonabrasive, all-purpose cleaner, using a sponge or cloth. Rinse with a sponge or cloth wrung from clean water; dry with a clean, soft cloth.	Refer to appliance manufacturer's use and care manual for any special cleaning instructions.
	Faucets	Clean with a damp sponge using a tub/tile/sink cleaner; abrasive or nonabrasive, all-purpose cleaner; glass cleaner or glass and multi-surface cleaner. Rinse and buff with a clean, soft cloth.	Follow faucet manufacturer's care instructions
Copper	Decorative Objects	For lacquered copper, rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth. To remove tarnish from unlacquered copper only, use a copper cleaner according to label directions.	Copper items coated with a lacquered finish require only dusting and an occasional rinsing in water. Dry with a clean, soft cloth. Do not use any cleaner on lacquered copper items
Painted Steel     Acrylic or     Baked     Enamel	Appliance Exteriors Cabinets Portable Appliances	Clean with a nonabrasive, all-purpose cleaner, using a sponge or cloth. Rinse with a sponge or cloth wrung from clean water; dry with a clean, soft cloth. Or, apply a creamy liquid kitchen wax that cleans and protects the surface as it is applied. Apply wax to a predampened cloth, and clean a small area (about a square foot) at a time. Buff with a clean dry cloth while wax is still moist.	Avoid using abrasive cleaners that could scratch the surface. Appliances should be waxed only 3-4 times a year. Excess wax can build up, especially on textured surfaces.
Stainless     Steel	Appliance     Exteriors     Trims Range Tops Sinks	Clean with a stainless steel cleaner or an all-purpose cleaner or cleanser, using a sponge or cloth. Remove any stubborn stains using a paste of baking soda and water applied with a sponge or cloth. Rinse with a sponge or cloth wrung from clean water; dry with a soft, clean cloth. Or, use a glass or glass and multi-surface cleaner.	Towel dry to avoid water spots. For heavy soils on a range top, spray soil with a nonabrasive, all-purpose cleaner. Then, cover with a damp paper towel for 15 minutes. Gently scrub clean.
Vinyl-coated   Steel	Appliance     Exteriors     Trims	Clean with a nonabrasive, all-purpose cleaner, using a sponge or cloth. Rinse with a sponge or cloth wrung from clean water; dry with a clean, soft cloth. Or, use a glass or glass and multi-surface cleaner.	The surface can be scratched, punctured or gouged, so care should be taken in cleaning.