Stainless steel appliances are incredibly popular thanks to their heat, rust and damage resistant qualities, and when they’re cleaned properly and maintained well, they can look great sitting on a kitchen countertop. When they become grubby, stained and covered in smears and fingerprints, however, nothing can let a kitchen down more.
If you’ve got some stainless steel appliances that are looking past their best, try sprucing them up with the following methods:
- Get into a cleaning habit
Make it a habit to clean your stainless steel appliances frequently, and as soon as you see an oily stain or greasy fingerprint on the surface of a stainless steel item in your kitchen, wipe it off before dust and other grime has a chance to adhere to it and make the problem ten times worse. For quick stains that have just happened, simply use a microfiber cloth dipped in clean water, and dry the area off afterwards with a clean cloth or towel.
- Don’t forget to check the manufacturers manual
There are actually a number of different types of stainless steel, each with a different finish and each containing a different quantity of metal. As such, each appliance might require different methods of cleaning, and while water and a clean microfiber cloth isn’t harmful, there may be some methods and substances that will get that particular type of stainless steel more effectively clean.
- Always carry out a spot test
It’s always worth testing a cleaning substance out on a small area of your stainless steel appliance before committing to using it all over it. While water won’t harm it, if you’ve chosen to use a store-brand cleaner, or even a natural cleaning substance such as vinegar or baking soda, you should always apply it to a small, discreet section of the appliance first.
- Remember to follow the grain
Just as wooden furniture has a grain that you can clearly see with the naked eye, as does stainless steel, and when cleaning, it’s really important that you try your best to follow it for the best results. If you’re unsure, try gently wiping the surface of the appliance up and down, and from side to side, if a certain direction offers up some resistance, you know you’re cleaning against the grain. You should also avoid using a circular motion when cleaning stainless steel.
What substances are best for cleaning stainless steel?
You can easily make your own cleaning solution for your stainless steel appliances, and below are some popular, simple, cheap and effective recipes:
- A few drops of dish soap in warm water
- Baking soda mixed into a paste with warm water
- Vinegar and water combined 50/50
Use a microfiber cloth as your tool, and always rinse the surface and wipe it dry after cleaning.
For daily cleaning of stainless steel appliances that aren’t heavily soiled, you can simply use water and a microfiber cloth.
What substances should be used with caution when cleaning stainless steel?
Take care when using the following substances on stainless steel appliances:
- Mineral oil
- Baby oil
- Club soda
- Windex
- Rubbing alcohol
What substances should never be used when cleaning stainless steel?
The following substances and materials should not, under any circumstances, be used on any stainless steel appliance or surface:
- Bleach
- Steel wool
- Abrasive sponges
Getting your stainless steel appliances shiny, clean, and looking as good as the day you bought them, is easy and cost-effective, provided you heed the advice given above.
