Exterior Cleaning Tips

#1: Post by **Randy G.** » May 9th, 2008, 9:30 pm

Keeping all that gleaming stainless steel and shiny painted surfaces on espresso machines can be a chore. Splatters of coffee, water, milk, and fingerprints add up. I have been using a product called "Sparkle" for some time and it works really well. It was originally developed during WWII as a cleaner for aircraft windshields. it comes in a non-aerosol pump trigger bottle like Windex. With either a microfiber towel or even paper towels, it leaves a streak-free surface, even when cleaning a hot E-61 brewhead! I discovered it when searching for a safe, ammonia-free cleaner for the LCD screen surfaces on our laptops, but since then it has become our primary surface cleaner for such uses. It is somewhat difficult to find, but it is stocked at K-Mart- at least around here.

More info at: http://www.glasscleaner.com/

#2: Post by HB » May 9th, 2008, 10:17 pm

Another cleaning suggestion for coffee splatters: Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It's a white sponge made of melamine foam that makes short work of crayon, magic markers, and coffee splatter on painted walls.

For serious cleaning of dulled or waterstained stainless steel, try Wenol Blue. It's an ultra soft metal polish available at automotive stores.

#3: Post by **Psyd** » May 10th, 2008, 6:18 pm

Cheap gallon jug of well vodka. Great streak-free cleaning of SS, dissolves coffee and greasy stains easily, and a refreshing nip keeps you cleaning all afternoon. Oh, and foodsafe.

#4: Post by **CSME9** » May 10th, 2008, 7:27 pm

HB wrote:Another cleaning suggestion for coffee splatters: Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It's a white sponge made of melamine foam that makes short work of crayon, magic markers, and coffee splatter on painted walls.

For serious cleaning of dulled or waterstained stainless steel, try Wenol Blue. It's an ultra soft metal polish available at automotive stores.

Can the Mr. Clean Eraser be safely used on the Isomac Tea shell ? I use glass plus but there seems to be a light coffee/oil film i would like to remove on the shell.

WS

#5: Post by HB » May 10th, 2008, 8:33 pm

Yes, I've used melamine foam sponges on stainless steel without problem. It removes stubborn dirt and oils easily. Do a gentle damp sponge "rub test" in an inconspicuous place just in case (e.g., inside the drip tray).

#6: Post by **cafeIKE** » May 11th, 2008, 1:45 pm

Parties interested in using a cleaner like Sparkle may want to check the Safety on the main ingredient butoxyethanol : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2-Butoxyethanol#Safety

#7: Post by **cannonfodder** » May 11th, 2008, 10:47 pm

A sprinkle of water and a microfiber cloth, all you need, all I use.