Kolter Homeowner Guide

Care and maintenance The following are tips for maintaining the finishes in your bathrooms and kitchen. Enamel Dishwashing: Take care to avoid dropping dishes. They may chip or scrape the enamel surface. Continual scraping gradually scratches and dulls the enamel, which increases the likelihood of stains setting and becoming difficult to remove. Cleaning: Avoid strong abrasive cleaners as they can dull or stain shiny fixtures in a short time period. Take care not to chip, scratch, or stain the enamel when cleaning. HOME TIP: Many household cleaners are mildly abrasive but aren’t harmful if used with enough water. Baking soda is nonabrasive and works well for cleaning enamel. HOME TIP: Chips in porcelain finishes can be filled. Most hardware stores carry liquid porcelain, which is cheap and easy to use. Deep chips may require two coats. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for use. Stainless steel Use a commercial stainless steel cleaner or warm water and a nonabrasive cleaner to clean stainless steel. Dry completely upon completion. Fill a stainless steel sink with a 50/50 solution of water and bleach to clean it. Let stand for 15 minutes. Wash the sides and bottom of the sink as the solution drains. Rinse.

Remove the chloride residue found in most cleansers, detergents, and soaps from the sink by rinsing it after use.

Maintain the stainless steel finish of a sink by scrubbing it weekly.

Dry the surface after use so soap, salt, or water don’t dry on it.

Avoid striking the sink as stainless steel can dent.

Avoid steel wool pads as they may remove the stainless steel finish.

Stainless steel sinks are neither chopping blocks nor cutting boards. Knives can scratch the surface and the steel can dull knives.

HOME TIPS: Do not leave wet cleaning pads, cloths, or sponges on the sink. Doing so may result in discoloration, pitting, or rusting.

Brass, chrome, and nickel Avoid abrasive cleaners, which may scratch the surface and damage the finish.

Use a soft cloth and nonabrasive wax polish to clean chrome.

Use a nonabrasive cleaner to clean brass and nickel. Buff them with a soft cloth.

Use a soft cloth to wipe water spots. Do not allow water to dry.

HOME TIP: Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning and maintaining all finishes in your home.

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