Stainless Steel Cleaning Tips

Stainless steel is known for its ability to resist corrosion and rust, which is why it's a popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms. However, dirt, dust, and grime, can put stainless steel at risk for corrosion and rust. Luckily, it responds well to cleaning, as long as you follow certain rules.

The key to keeping stainless steel stainless clean is proper care and maintenance. In general, it's best to start with basic cleaning tips for stainless steel! With just a little effort, your appliance or countertop will shine on! Enjoy!

Option 1: Dip a soft microfiber cloth in a mixture of warm water and mild dish detergent. Use a detergent with degreasing properties. Wipe the surface along the grain of the metal and wipe dry with a separate dishcloth to prevent any water spots.

Option 2: For grease and food-related smudges, make a paste of baking soda and warm water. Gently rub onto the surface using a clean microfiber cloth, rubbing along the metal’s grain. Wipe clean with a wet cloth and towel dry.

Option 3: Spray distilled white vinegar onto your appliance and rub gently into the surface. Wipe away the vinegar in the same direction as the grain using your microfiber cloth. Using an additional clean cloth, rub a small amount of olive oil onto the appliance, working with the grain to prevent streaks. The olive oil will help produce a shiny finish.

Option 4: In your kitchen sink or a clean bucket, dilute dishwashing liquid in warm water and mix well. Apply a small amount of this cleaning solution onto a microfiber cloth and spread evenly onto your stainless-steel appliance. Wipe with the grain to get rid of fingerprints and smudges and leave to dry. Use another clean cloth to apply a small amount of baby oil to the metal; the baby oil helps to restore the shiny, like-new appearance of your appliance.

Option 5: Fill a spray bottle with club soda and spray it onto the surface of your appliance. Like the previous methods, use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe along the metal’s grain.

Helpful Reminders

Not every technique is safe to use when cleaning stainless steel appliances. It may be a durable finish, but an equally tough cleaning product can do harm. Again, scouring powders, steel wool, bleach, and ammonia have too many abrasive properties which can easily scratch or discolor the appliance finish.

If possible, switch to distilled water to clean your appliances if your home runs on hard water. The water type won’t damage steel, but hard water is more likely to leave spots and streaks due to the amount of calcium and magnesium in the water.

Cleaning in the same direction as the metal’s grain helps to reduce smudging and streaks. Any pesky smudges are the result of wiping in a circular motion. If you’re looking for greater natural shine, use olive oil, white vinegar, or a specifically formulated stainless steel cleaner.

Always use a gentle microfiber cloth to prevent scuffs, use a light coating of mineral oil to avoid grime, and if any stainless-steel cookware is left in the sink, wash it right away. Leaving stainless cookware soaking for too long with prolonged contact next anything salty or acidic can cause the glossy finish to become murky.