Struggling to keep your stainless-steel appliances looking as flawless as the day you bought them? You’re not alone. Initially thrilled with my sleek kitchen aesthetics, I quickly realized the challenge of maintaining that pristine shine. Countless products claimed to offer the perfect solution for stainless-steel care, yet left me with streaks and dissatisfaction. Determined to find a foolproof method, my journey through trials and errors led to invaluable insights. In this guide, I’ll share the most effective ways to clean stainless-steel appliances, ensuring they remain spotless and gleaming without the fuss.
How to Clean Stainless Steel Simply
Stainless steel is harder to keep clean as it shows fingerprints and can get streaky. It’s important to wipe in one direction, following the metal’s grain, when cleaning. If you’re unsure about the direction, try a small area first. I’ve found that a clean microfiber cloth is the most effective, but paper towels can also work.
Keep in mind that there are various kinds of stainless steel. You may need to try a few methods before finding the best one for your appliance. Actually, if you have multiple stainless-steel appliances, each might need its own cleaning approach.
There are also some important things to avoid when cleaning stainless steel:
- Don’t use steel wool or abrasive sponges or scrubbers.
- Stay away from cleaners containing chlorine or chloride.
- Avoid using oven cleaner.
- Be cautious if your tap water is hard, as it may cause spots or stains.
The Best Home Ways to Clean Stainless Steel
Vinegar and Olive Oil
Many people highly recommend using just vinegar and olive oil to keep their stainless-steel appliances clean.
- Fill a clean spray bottle with white vinegar.
- Spray your stainless-steel appliance with the vinegar.
- Use a microfiber cloth to wipe it clean.
- After cleaning, put a little olive oil on your cloth.
5. Wipe the cloth along the metal’s grain to make your appliance shine and get rid of any leftover streaks or spots.
Dish Soap and Baby Oil
Dish soap is also effective for cleaning stainless-steel appliances.
- Clean the appliance using dish soap.
- Apply a little baby oil to a microfiber cloth.
- Wipe the cloth along the grain of the metal to polish and shine your appliance.
Club Soda
- This is a method I haven’t used myself, but I know people who really believe in its effectiveness.
- Pour club soda into a clean spray bottle.
- Spray your stainless-steel appliance with the club soda.
- Use a cloth to rub along the metal’s grain to polish and make your appliance shine.