Rid your appliances of water stains and fingerprints with our expert tips for cleaning stainless steel.
Stainless steel is a sleek modern finish that looks great with nearly anykitchen color scheme.
But fingerprints, smudges, spills, and splashes can make the material unsightly.
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Luckily, our tricks for cleaning stainless steel will help your appliances sparkle again.
Skip the steel wool and chlorine-based cleaners, too.
Some cleaning methods include using rubbing oil and essential oils.
Credit: Helen Norman
These products are great cleaning agents, but they’re also flammable.
Don’tuse them on your ovenor other appliances that conduct heat.
How to Clean Stainless Steel
Daily care of your stainless-steel appliances will make big cleaning less frequent.
Wet the cloth and wipe down the appliance.
Step 2: Dry and Polish.Wipe the surface again with another microfiber cloth to dry.
For extra shine, use a polishing rag to buff the steel.
Pick a dish soap that doesn’t contain chlorine and put a drop on a cloth.
Dampen the cloth with water and wring out excess water.
Baking Soda and Vinegar Method
Sometimes the microfiber method needs a little support.
Look no further than your kitchen pantry for a hardworking stainless-steel cleaning solution.
confirm to use caution when handling the boiled vinegar.
Step 2: Soak and Wipe.Place the damp towel on the spot and let it sit for 30 minutes.
Sprinkle with baking soda, then scrub gently until the spot disappears.
Wipe the area clean with water and dry with a clean cloth.
These cleaners are particularly helpful when removing stainless-steel oxidation or rust.
Before using a commercial cleaner or a scratch-removal kit, check out your appliance owner’s manual for instructions.
Some stainless-steel appliances have special finishes that require more specific care options.
How Often to Clean Stainless Steel
Old stains and water spots are harder to tackle.
Prevent them with frequent appliance cleaning.
We recommend committing to daily wipe-downs with a clean, soft cloth and hot water.
Also, aim forweekly cleaningswith an oil-basedstainless-steel cleaner and polish.
This regular routine will help reduce buildup and keep your stainless-steel appliances easy to clean.
Always wipe with the grain to loosen and remove all the dirt from those little recesses.
Going against the grain can result in less effective cleaning and may even scratch the steel.
To find the appliance’s grain direction, simply rub both vertically and horizontally with a soft cloth.
If you feel a slight resistance, that means you’re rubbing against the grain.
Luckily, there’s an easy solution to rid your stainless-steel appliances of fingerprints.
Simply drop a little rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth and rub over the stains.
The alcohol will zap the oily residue and grime left by a human hand.
Just put a few drops of the oil on a clean cloth and rub it into the surface.
Aim to give your stainless-steel appliances this oil treatment once a month.
And remember: Don’t use this method on an oven or appliance surfaces that conduct heat.
Now that you know how to clean stainless-steel appliances, you don’t have to dread fingerprints.
