A frequent question at Tampa Steel & Supply is, “does stainless steel turn green?” We know how common stainless steel is, from jewelry to appliances, to handmade art. We know you want to keep your stainless steel as perfect as possible for as long as possible.
With this blog post, we would like to explore if stainless steel turns green, how to remove it from your skin, and the tips and tricks you can use to care for and maintain your stainless steel.
Does Stainless Steel Turn Green?
Stainless steel turning green breaks down to its chemical process. In short, it can turn green if the components do not contain enough chromium. To see if your stainless steel will turn green, you need to look at the ingredients of your stainless steel. If they include any of the following compounds, they may turn green:
- Silver
- Gold
- Copper
- Palladium
In the case of jewelry, sweat may cause your items to turn green. To avoid this, try not to sweat on your jewelry or wear it on a hot day.
What to Do if Your Skin Turns Green
It doesn’t matter how “high-end” your stainless steel is, as it may turn green depending on its compounds. If your stainless steel turns green, here is what you can do about it:
- Invest in jewelry that does not contain the compounds listed above
- Do not expose jewelry to excess water or sweat
- Try using lotion or different skincare products to remove any greenness on your skin
Tips to Take Care of Your Stainless Steel
Dry Your Stainless Steel as Quick As Possible
You should not let your stainless steel air dry. You should take microfiber cloths and dry your stainless steel quickly. If you let your steel air dry or do not attempt to dry it all the time, it may lead to rust and breakdown.
Do Not Expose it to Salt
Whatever you do, try not to expose your stainless steel to salt. Exposing your stainless steel to salt will cause it to rust and inevitably break down.
Stick to a Cleaning Routine
Stick to a cleaning routine to help prolong the life of your stainless steel. You can protect steel by wiping off any of the elements, water, or salt that gathers on it. So you will want to establish a routine that keeps in mind how often you use your items, as that will tell you how often to clean.
Wipe With the Grain
When cleaning your stainless steel, wipe it with the grain. Doing so will avoid streaks with your stainless steel and will make it look shiny and like new.
Allow Your Steel to Reach a Cool Down Temperature Before Washing
Before you wash your stainless steel, you need to ensure the temperature is cool enough to do so. If your stainless steel is too hot and you add cleaner or chemicals, it can damage your items.
Do Not Use Abrasive Cleaners
Whatever you do, you can not use abrasive cleaners when cleaning your stainless steel. This includes things like scouring pads or any harsh chemicals. We have some articles you can check out about what natural cleaners you can use for your stainless steel. Also, avoid using scouring pads on your items because they will cause scratches.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this article on whether stainless steel turns green. To recap, stainless steel should not turn green; if it does, it may not be pure stainless steel. We want you to keep your stainless steel as perfect as possible for as long as you can.
Visit Tampa Steel & Supply for Quality Metal and All Your Metal Processing Services
Do you need help with woodworking or metalworking? The experienced professionals at Tampa Steel & Supply are here to help. We provide the highest quality of services to our customers.
Request a Quote Online
Or Call Tampa Steel & Supply at (813) 241-2801