We’ve scoured the internet (and bothered our own technicians) to get the inside scoop on how to properly clean your stainless steel appliances. There’s a few tried-and-true methods for getting those appliances sparkling, ranging from at-home DIYs to simply buying specialty cleaners. No matter which method you prefer, we’ve got you covered!
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What is the Best Way to Clean Stainless Steel?
For all of these suggestions, it’s important to keep in mind that you should always use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the appliance. You should also be wiping in a circular motion that moves with the grain, usually in a clockwise motion.
Specialty Made Sprays
Okay, so it’s not the most surprising answer, but it is still true! Sprays that were made specifically to clean stainless will always be your best option. Most will have a special formula to help get rid of rust without damaging the finish, which is just an added bonus! We recommend Bar Keepers Friend and Bon Ami.
Vinegar Water
For the more DIY and eco-friendly option to cleaning stainless steel, we recommend a simple mixture of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Vinegar is a natural anti-bacterial, so not only will it help make your stainless steel shine, but it’ll clean the surface as well!
What is the Best Way to Clean a Stainless Steel Refrigerator?
Not many people know this, but there is a difference between the stainless steel found in your sink versus on your refrigerator. Typically, the stainless steel in your sink has a slightly higher amount of chromium content (that’s the stuff that helps make stainless steel harder to rust) than your fridge. This is to help protect it from the constant water and food particles it interacts with everyday.
Although you can use the same methods mentioned before to clean the stainless steel on your refrigerator, for a less abrasive cleaning try using club soda and a microfiber cloth!
How Do You Make Stainless Steel Shine?
If you’ve already cleaned your stainless steel appliances but feel they’re missing that special shine, there’s a few things you can do to change that.
One of the most popular methods is to polish it with some oil. There’s some debate over which type of oil (baby, olive, or coconut) is the best choice, but so far there hasn’t been a distinct winner. So, it’s mainly down to preference and what’s available in your cabinets already.
That being said, if rubbing oil across all your appliances doesn’t sound like a nice Sunday afternoon, you can always try a window cleaner! As long as its ammonia and vinegar-free, you can use it to add that extra shine back into your appliances. You want this one to be vinegar-free, because too much acid can damage more delicate finishes.
What Should You Not Use on Stainless Steel?
Now let’s talk about all the things you should never use on stainless steel, regardless of which appliance!
- Steel wool – Leave those for doing your dishes. Steel wool is too abrasive for this material and could leave scuff marks that can quickly turn to rust.
- Bleach – Bleach is way too strong for these finishes! It can easily strip away the top layer and cause discoloring.
- Ammonia – Avoid any product that has ammonia listed as an ingredient. Ammonia is too strong of a cleaner and would quickly damage the finish on the steel.
- Hard Water – This one can be harder to avoid, but if you can avoid it – do so! The calcium in hard water tends to leave big spots and streaks, so opt to use distilled water when possible.
Taking Care of Your Stainless Steel Appliances
Thinking of upgrading to stainless steel appliances? Or, maybe it’s time to replace that fridge you’ve had since stainless steel first got popular in 1999! Either way, Home-Tech is here to help get your kitchen in tip-top shape.
Our in-house trained technicians work on an array of major brands such as Kitchen Aid, LG, Maytag, Frigidaire, GE, and so much more. So take care of your stainless steel (and the non-steel ones too!) by scheduling service with us today! (You can call us too at: (800) 800-8356)