How to Clean Stainless Steel

Did you just buy a home that has stainless steel appliances? Or maybe you’re getting ready to sell your home and you want those stainless steel appliances to sparkle during your open house. Whatever your reasons, there are several methods you can use to make those stainless steel appliances look fantastic. Here are some of the best ways we’ve found to clean stainless steel.

The basics

If you have any experience with stainless steel, then you know it can be tough to clean. It has a tendency to show every fingerprint and smudge and can look streaky if you don’t clean it properly. When you clean your stainless steel, make sure you move in the direction of the grain. Don’t use any abrasive cleaning materials like steel wool or scrubbing sponges. Opt instead for a microfiber cloth or paper towels. Also avoid using harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia.

Clean with water

One of the easiest ways to keep your stainless steel appliances looking good is to simply clean them regularly with warm water. Use a microfiber cloth dipped in warm water and wipe in the direction of the grain. Once you’ve finished, dry with another microfiber cloth or a paper towel.

Clean with vinegar and olive oil

Not only is vinegar and olive oil a great dressing for salad, it’s also a great combination for cleaning your stainless steel. First, spray your stainless steel with white vinegar. Then wipe the vinegar off with a microfiber cloth. Next, dip the cloth in olive oil and work it into the stainless steel in the direction of the grain. This will make your appliances sparkle!

Clean with dish soap

If your stainless steel is in need of a deeper cleaning, then we recommend using dish soap. Mix a few drops of dish soap in a bowl of warm water. Dip your microfiber cloth into the solution and rub it into the stainless steel in the direction of the grain. Once that step is complete, rinse thoroughly with warm water and dry with a microfiber cloth or paper towel. Drying helps to prevent water spots and streaks.

Clean with club soda

Do you have a can of club soda in your stainless steel refrigerator? Then you can use that to clean it! The bubbles and added minerals of club soda can clean stainless steel as well as dish soap. Use a microfiber cloth to rub the club soda into the stainless steel and then dry with another cloth or paper towel.

Clean with baking soda

For those really difficult jobs, try using a mixture of baking soda and water. Combine the two until it forms a paste. First, test a small spot to make sure it doesn’t interfere with the finish. Rub the paste into the stainless steel and then remove with a damp cloth. Dry thoroughly with a clean cloth or paper towel. Although this method is messy, you’ll swear your appliances look brand new!

Clean with stainless steel cleaner

Finally, there are many commercially available stainless steel cleaning products. If you have stains or scratches on your stainless steel that are difficult to remove with the methods above, these may be your best bet. Be sure to follow the directions carefully and rinse and dry thoroughly when you’re done.

Compliments of Virtual Results