Stainless steel appliances are sleek and popular choices for many updated kitchens. Many are now available in a fingerprint-resistant finish so that they will always appear clean and shiny. However, cleaning these popular appliances can be more difficult than many would expect. Here is a quick guide for cleaning and maintaining the appearance of your stainless steel appliances.
What to Avoid
Cleaning any stainless steel appliance can be a bit tricky, but it can be simplified once you know what you’re doing. Before you grab your favorite cleaners from your collection and get to work, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Avoid using any kind of bleach, ammonia, alcohol, chlorine, or chloride-based cleaning products on your stainless steel as these will damage the finish of the appliance.
- Do not use scouring powders or oven cleaners on stainless steel as these will scratch and dull the finish of stainless steel.
- When cleaning and wiping your stainless steel appliances, always wipe in the same direction as the grain. Wiping against the grain is more likely to leave streaks and residue, as well as damage the finish over time.
Cleaning Methods
Soap & Water
- Add a few drops of mild dish soap to a bowl of warm water.
- Use a soft sponge to gently wipe the surface of the appliance in the direction of the grain.
- Make sure the surface is clean before wiping it dry and removing any soapy residue.
- Optional: Use a small amount of stainless steel polish to refresh the shiny finish of the appliance.
Baking Soda & Vinegar
- Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar, and spray the vinegar onto the appliance.
- Allow the vinegar to sit for about 5 minutes.
- Without removing the vinegar, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda around the surface of the appliance. If you are cleaning a stovetop, avoid getting any baking soda in or around the burners.
- Add a few drops of dish soap to the mix and then scrub the soapy mix with a wet sponge.
- Scrub the surface of the appliance with the surface grain until it is fully clean.
- Use a clean, wet cloth to remove the soap, vinegar, and baking soda mix from the surface and clear away any residue.
- Use a soft, dry cloth to fully dry the surface of the appliance.
Vinegar & Olive Oil
- Spray or wipe a generous amount of white vinegar onto the surface of the appliance.
- Allow the vinegar to sit on the surface for about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Wipe the vinegar away from the surface, following the grain of the stainless steel.
- Dip a soft, microfiber cloth in a small amount of olive oil.
- Following the grain of the stainless steel, buff the oil onto the surface of the appliance.
- Remove any excess oil residue with a clean cloth to reveal the shiny finish.
Lemon Juice Recipe
- Mix together 1 cup of warm water, ¼ cup of dish soap, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in a bowl.
- Soak a soft cloth or rag in the mixture and ring it out.
- Use the cloth to clean the surface of the appliance, following the grain of the appliance.
- If you are cleaning a stovetop or appliance with burnt or caked-on residue, lay the cloth directly onto the residue to soak for about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Scrub the residue away from the surface, following the grain.
- Use a soft, dry cloth to remove any excess cleaning solution and residue from the surface, repeat the process as needed until clean, then fully dry the surface of the appliance.
Stainless Steel Cleaner
- If you have stainless steel cleaner wipes or spray available, be sure to thoroughly read the printed instructions before using the product.
- Test the product in a small area on the appliance to make sure it does not damage the finish before using the product.
Cleaning Tips and Tricks
Here are a few extra ways you can safely clean the surface of your stainless steel appliances. Remember to follow the grain of the appliance when cleaning.
- To remove rust: Sprinkle a small amount of table salt onto the affected area and then squeeze a small amount of lemon or lime juice over the salt. Allow the salt and juice to sit for up to 3 hours. Scrub the residue away, repeat the process as needed, and then fully rinse and dry the surface of the appliance.
- To remove small scratches from the surface: Scratches can be removed using fine sandpaper or a small amount of toothpaste. Be sure to follow the grain and use a very gentle touch with either of these methods so as to not further damage the finish of the appliance.
- To remove and avoid streaks when cleaning: Wipe the surface of the appliance dry after cleaning using wide left-to-right motions. If your tap water leaves hard water residue, cleaning your appliance using distilled water will remove stains and streaks.
For more cleaning tips and tricks or to schedule one of our cleaning services, contact Tidy Here Cleaning Service for more information.
