Proper cleanliness and hygiene are a matter of utmost importance to many of us and we take many additional steps to ensure that we and our homes stay neat and clean.
Our personal hygiene activities mostly take place in our bathrooms, which is why it is very important that we install the right sanitary ware. In the abstract below, you will explore the durability of stainless steel sanitary wares in the bathroom.
Does stainless steel rust in shower when wet?
Stainless steel does not react with water or moisture if it is exposed to them for an extended period of time, which is why they do not rust. The composite elements of stainless steel react with oxygen to form a thin protective layer that disables the steel from rusting when in contact with water.
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Metals are quite popularly used by the construction industry as well as many appliance manufacturers which includes sanitary ware manufacturers as well.
Due to the strength and durability of metals, they are being commonly used in every sector – of which steel is one of the most used metals out there. Steel itself is not a pure metal, instead, it is an alloy of iron and carbon which makes it have the pros of iron while covering its cons.
The case for stainless steel is even more complicated than steels because stainless steels are steels but contain more composite elements making them more durable and environmentally sustainable.
The composition of stainless steel contains at least 10.5% chromium, 1.2% carbon, and a combination of other alloying elements.
Such combinations of elements allow stainless steel to become a metal with the capability to resist corrosion and undergo chemical reactions that are beneficial for the metal.
The reaction of stainless steel also provides a beneficial outcome for the material which makes it durable, such as stainless steel forming a layer of chromium oxide on its surface when the metal comes in contact with oxygen.
And this layer is unreactive to oxygen and moisture which is how it protects the metal underneath.
In the bathroom, normal metals sanitary ware would be drenched in water and will rust away by reacting with oxygen as well.
Due to these reasons, metals are usually considered unusable in the bathroom but stainless steels do not react with water or oxygen and remain in good shape in the bathroom with no rust, which is why they are used commonly in sanitary wares.
Can you wear stainless steel jewelry in the shower?
Stainless steel is an unreactive metal that does not get affected by being in contact with water and air unlike other base metals, which is why it is completely fine to wear stainless steel jewelry in the shower.
However, if you are not completely sure about the water in your lines, tap water could have some chemicals which do not affect your skin but would react with the jewelry.
Besides that, if your stainless steel jewelry has intricate designs or crevices – water might get stuck in them and eventually speed up the rusting process. That’s why it is advised to take off your jewelry before showering.
What type of stainless steel does not rust?
Among stainless steels, there are different types and grades which have their own set of distinct properties. Out of all of them, the 304-grade stainless steel is widely used for various applications and is known for its excellent corrosion resistance.
It is composed of 16-24% Chromium along with 35% Nickel, as well as minute amounts of carbon and manganese.
Such elemental composition allows 304 to resist corrosion from most oxidizing agents and is applicable for use in kitchen wares, sanitary wares, and throughout other large infrastructures.
What grades of stainless steel will rust?
Not all stainless steel is resistant to rust and there are some grades of stainless steel that will form rust on their surface when exposed to certain weather conditions.
Among them, stainless steel of the 400-grade series, specifically 410 grade tends to rust in continued exposure to moisture and oxygen. Also, stainless steel that has a higher percentage of iron in them will also tend to have rusting tendencies similar to pure iron.
How long does stainless steel last in water?
Stainless steels are one of the most durable metals out there. And the basic 316-grade stainless steel would last for 1200 years if it is in a dry and clean environment.
However, its durability will be compromised in the presence of saltwater In the marine environment with a lifespan of only 260 years.
How to remove rust from stainless steel?
Removing rust from a stainless steel item could be a hectic, lengthy and tiresome process but if the correct methods are used, you can get a fine-looking rust-free stainless steel item. Few methods of removing rust are listed below:
Applying baking soda paste:
Make a baking soda paste with one tablespoon of baking soda and two cups of water but you can adjust the amount according to your needs, just make sure the ratio remains the same.
Afterward, smudge the paste over the rusted surface and make sure the layer is thick enough to cover the rust.
Leave it there for 10 minutes and then use a damp cloth or a paper towel to scrub the rust off the metal. Repeat the process until all the rust is gone.
Spraying with vinegar:
One easy solution for dealing with rust is to use vinegar since it requires no additional preparation. If the item is small, you could simply submerge it completely in a container filled with vinegar and let it sit for 5 mins.
But for larger items, you could spray the vinegar onto the rusty spot and let it sit for 5 mins as well.
Afterward, take a wet sponge or wire mesh sponge and scrub the rust off the surface. If the rust doesn’t go away in one round, repeat several times.
Scrub with lemon juice:
You can create a paste by mixing equal amounts of lemon juice and baking soda and then apply it over the rust. Make sure the paste layer is thick enough to cover the rust and then leave it for 30 minutes.
After the time has passed, scrub the rust off using a damp sponge and rinse it with distilled water.
How to rustproof shower caddy?
A shower caddy is a structure made of metal that is used to hold cosmetics and similar products commonly used in the bathroom. This is why it is used in humid areas and therefore it is vulnerable to rust and corrosion.
Even if the caddy is made of durable metals like stainless steel, protection against rust is necessary.
Below are the methods explained in order to keep a shower caddy from rusting:
Coat with water-resistant wax:
You can use a piece of wet sponge with water-resistant car wax to coat your caddy in order to make it rustproof. Just coat the caddy properly and leave it for around 20 minutes. That will be enough to dry the wax.
Besides, a hazy appearance in your caddy will indicate that it is ready to defend against rust.
Polish with oil or grease:
Another thing you can do to make your caddy rust-proof is polishing the caddy with a piece of lint-free clothing. Keep polishing the surface with oil or grease until you make it smooth enough.
Besides, you will need to wax your caddy once a month at least.
Apart from polishing, you can get some rust-proof spray paint and use it regularly if you want a long-lasting solution to the rusting issue.
Coat with a layer of paint:
Painting the caddy with a layer of paint is a simple and attractive way to keep your caddy from forming rust layers on them. Paint made for metallic surfaces should be used to coat the caddy.
Before you apply the paint, you need to make sure the surface of the caddy is clean and dry so that the paint sticks to the surface more effectively. You may apply the paint once every 4 months based on its condition.
What metal does not rust in the shower?
Most metals are known to rust due to their reactive nature with moisture and oxygen in the air. But one of the most commonly known metals on the planet, Aluminum, is widely known to be resistant to rust.
Rust is the result of the oxidation process of iron which forms a brown fragile layer that eats away the metal, but Aluminum doesn’t show such reactions because it doesn’t have iron in it.
This is why Aluminum is very commonly used in sanitary wares such as faucets, showerheads, and several other metal fixtures and items in the bathroom.
Final thoughts
Stainless steel does not rust because it does not react with water or moisture when exposed to them for a long period of time. When stainless steel composite elements react with oxygen, they generate a thin protective coating that prevents the steel from rusting when it comes into touch with water.