Stainless steel appliances are the perfect addition to your kitchen if you value aesthetics as much as functionality. On top of making your kitchen look sleek and modern, these stylish appliances are ideal if you don’t want to struggle with corrosion and constant cleaning.
However, even if stainless steel doesn’t get as dirty as other surfaces, it still needs proper care and cleaning. Here’s how you can do it without risk of damage.
Pro tip: Wipe in the direction of the grain
Like wood, stainless steel has a grain. So, to make the cleaning process smoother, always follow the direction of the grain.
Don’t you know which way the grain goes? Sometimes, you can easily see it by looking at the surface closely. However, on other surfaces, finding out the direction of the grain feels like a process of trial and error. If you wipe the surface with a cloth and feel some resistance, you’re likely going against the grain. Try another direction until the cloth slides smoothly!
Natural methods to clean stainless steel appliances
While many methods—both natural and not—work for stainless steel, some homeowners prefer to go natural whenever they can choose. Why? Because natural products are less harmful when handled, have less environmental impact, and are gentler on the surfaces you clean.
Therefore, if you prefer cleaning naturally, here are some methods you can try:
Method #1. White vinegar
Vinegar is an acidic product that removes dirt, grease, grime, and mineral deposits—which means it also cleans the hard water stains that appear when the appliance is in contact with tap water.
This method is straightforward: Mix half water and half white vinegar in a spray bottle. Then, spray the surface and finish by wiping it with a microfiber cloth.
Method #2. Olive oil
This kitchen product is perfect if you need to remove everyday greasy stains and grime, including the most common ones like fingerprints. However, the best thing about olive oil is that it polishes stainless steel, leaving the surface shiny.
So, to use olive oil on a stainless steel surface, you only need to apply a small amount of oil to a microfiber cloth and wipe.
Method #3. Lemon essential oil
Lemon oil functions as a natural bleaching agent, but unlike actual bleach, it won’t corrode the steel. Plus, this product leaves your appliances shiny and smelling nice.
To use this acidic oil, add 20 drops in half a cup of water and mix it in a spray bottle. Then, spray the surface and wipe it with a clean microfiber cloth.
Store-bought cleaners for grimy stainless steel appliances
If you want something to remove more stubborn stains, the natural options may not be enough. So, if you want a stronger cleaner, commercial ones are tougher than most natural options because they are made mainly of potent chemicals.
Any cleaner made specifically for stainless steel will do, but these are not your only options. Other types of commercial cleaners can also be used on these surfaces, even if that’s not their main purpose.
Here are some of the most popular alternative cleaners:
- Bar Keepers Friend: This product is a bleach-free cleaner that removes baked-on food and mineral deposits from hard water. If you go with this method, follow the directions on the label.
- WD-40: While this is mainly a lubricant, it also works as a degreaser that leaves appliances looking smooth and polished.
- Bon Ami: This is a gentle abrasive powder cleaner. While that may sound like a contradiction, it actually means it’s strong but not too much to damage the appliance. To use it, make a paste with water and Bon Ami, then apply it onto a cloth and wipe the surface. Finally, rinse and dry buff.
- Glass cleaner: This product works similarly on stainless steel than on windows and mirrors, removing smudges and fingerprints quickly. Just spray and wipe!
- Dish soap: This may sound too easy and basic a method, and it is! Sometimes easy and basic are just as good (or even better) as more complicated methods. To use dish soap:
- Fill a spray bottle with soapy water and spray the steel.
- Wipe or scrub the surface with a microfiber cloth or a soft sponge.
- Wipe the appliance with a cloth dampened with clean water to remove the soapy residue.
Let us leave your appliances fabulously clean
Whenever you need a hand with your appliances (and the rest of your home), at Fabulously Clean, we offer different cleaning packages tailored to all your home’s needs.
On our top-to-bottom deluxe cleaning package, we can clean and polish all your stainless steel appliances—you can even ask us to clean inside the appliances!
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