To clean a stainless steel surface, use mild detergent, or baking soda or vinegar diluted in water. Clean, and then dry with a soft cloth.

Most stainless steel has a grain; if you are using any kind of an abrasive on a stainless surface, always make sure you clean in the direction of the grain.

The "don'ts" are:

• Don't use bleach.
• Don't use steel wool unless it is an absolute last resort. Some of the fine particles can lodge in the surface of the stainless and will eventually rust, giving the appearance that the stainless itself is rusting.
• Don't let the following food items (ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, salad dressings) remain on your stainless surfaces for any length of time. If they sit on the stainless for more than a few minutes, they may "bleach it out". You can actually rub out this "white" area with a very fine Scotchbrite pad. Make sure you are going along the grain lines and not at right angles to them.