How to Clean Stainless-Steel Appliances

Stainless steel kitchen appliances are a double-edged sword when it comes to how they impact the overall appearance of a kitchen. When clean and polished, they can uplift the entire look of the space. But when smudged with dirt, fingerprints, and water stains, even the cleanest kitchen can appear unkempt.

And naturally, we want the easiest and most effective method to get stainless steel appliances looking like the day they were installed. The trick is finding the right cleaning method without doing more harm than good. In fact, if you have several stainless-steel appliances, each one might require a different cleaning routine, even if made by the same manufacturer. Read on as we share some tips and tricks for getting your stainless-steel looking brand new.

Things to Avoid

Before we share the “do’s” of cleaning stainless steel, it’s important to understand these important “don’ts”:

• Do not use steel wool or any other abrasive sponge or scrubber.
• Do not use chlorine-based cleaners.
• Never use an oven cleaner to clean stainless steel.
• If you have hard water, it may leave stains or spots on stainless steel.

How to Clean Stainless-Steel Appliances

1. To remove fingerprints, grime, and smudges, start with a clean rag or a microfiber cloth.
2. Use a non-abrasive cleaning solution, or even just plain white vinegar.
3. For extra tough dirt and grime, use a nylon non-scratch scrubber, but don’t scrub any harder than you need to.
4. Next, polish the fridge using a soft cloth dampened with a little bit of olive oil or baby oil, moving the cloth in the direction of the grain.

How to Clean Your Stainless-Steel Sink

1. Once again, think “non-abrasive” for your cleaning solution. Start with baking soda and a damp sponge.
2. Once you’ve cleaned the entire surface of the sink, rubbing with the grain, pour white vinegar into the sink to create foam.
3. Let that stand for a while until the foaming has stopped.
4. Rinse away the residue with water and dry the sink with a clean cloth or microfiber towel.

How to Get Stainless-Steel to Shine Again

While you can use dish soap or mineral oil to remove pesky marks and smudges, the only guaranteed way to bring back your appliance’s natural shine is by using cleaners formulated specifically for stainless steel. Microfiber cleaning cloths also are an excellent choice to use when polishing stainless steel because they do an great job of absorbing water without scratching the surface. You can purchase special polishing cloths which are finer than normal microfiber to give your appliances a final polish. By following the direction of the grain, you can attain impressive results.

Is hard water ruining the finish on your stainless-steel appliances and more? Contact the water quality experts at Norhio Plumbing for an in-home water quality test and more information about your water filtration options. For high-quality plumbing and water quality services that will exceed your expectations, call us today.