Minerals in hard water can leave a film on stainless steel sterilizers.
Calcium deposits leave a white film or white spots on many household surfaces, including stainless steel sterilizers. These deposits don't affect the function of your sterilizer, but they dull the finish. Caused by minerals in your water, the only permanent solution for calcium deposits is to install a water softener. Fortunately, removing calcium deposits requires just a few steps. Sandra A. Zaslow, Extension District Director for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, recommends removing stains regularly before they penetrate the surface of your stainless sterilizer. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Remove any baby bottles, nipples and the rack from your stainless steel sterilizer.
2. Mix together 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of baking soda over the sink as the mixture will bubble and foam. Rub the vinegar and baking soda paste on the calcium deposits with a paper towel. Wait 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and wash with mild soap.
3. Mix 1 package of liquid citric acid with 1 gallon of warm water in your stainless steel sterilizer. Allow the sterilizer to sit for 30 minutes. Dump the water and citric acid in the sink. Rinse your sterilizer well and wash as in step 2.
4. Cut a lemon in half with a knife. Rub the lemon juice on the calcium deposits. Acid in the lemon juice will break down the deposits. Wait 30 minutes before rinsing and washing as in step 2.
Tags: stainless steel, your stainless, baking soda, calcium deposits, citric acid
