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This post is about how to clean stainless steel appliances.
If you’re new to the cleaning world, you may not even know that stainless steel needs to be cleaned a specific way. Sounds annoying, right? Well lucky for you, finding the best cleaning products and ways to get stuff shiny and clean is one of my favorite things in the world! How lame is that lol?
You may be wondering, what is the best home remedy to clean stainless steel if I don’t want to buy anything? And there are many ways!! In this post I will be showing you my favorite ways to clean stainless steel from things you have at home, and the best products you can buy that clean stainless steel goooood.
This post is all about magic stainless steel cleaner.
HOW TO CLEAN STAINLESS STEEL BASICS:
Stainless steel is a challenge to keep clean because it shows fingerprints and streaks super easily. There’s many dos and don’ts when it comes to cleaning stainless steel, and I’m here to break it down for you and answer all your questions.
DOS:
1. DO clean with the direction of the grain
This can be hard to figure out when you haven’t cleaned your stainless steel before. To figure out which direction you should go, it’s a good idea to start with a small section of your appliances and just test it out.
2. DO use a microfiber cloth or a paper towel
You don’t want to use something that will be too aggressive or leave scratches on your appliances, and using a microfiber cloth or paper towel is the best way to do this.
3. DO buff your appliances with a dry cloth or paper towel after wiping it down
If you’re wondering how to clean stainless steel appliances without streaks, this is the best way to do it! Buffing with a dry cloth after cleaning your stainless steel will prevent the products from leaving streaks.
DON’TS:
1. DON’T use steel wool or other rough sponges
This will absolutely ruin your stainless steel over time. It’s one of the biggest no-nos for cleaning it!
2. DON’T use glass, oven cleaner or any cleaning products with chlorine, bleach, or ammonia
These products and chemicals can be really harmful to stainless steel so you definitely want to avoid them! The last thing you want is to ruin your appliances while you’re just trying to clean it.
3. DON’T rush the process
Stainless steel can be tough to clean exactly right and exactly how you want it. For this reason, don’t rush the process, trust the process! And don’t necessarily go too crazy with products, but if you’re using homemade stainless steel cleaner, feel free to clean as much as you want to get the right look.
HOMEMADE STAINLESS STEEL CLEANER:
If you’re more of an at-home cleaner gal, don’t worry! There are many just as effective ways to clean stainless steel with things that you’ll definitely have at home.
1. Vinegar and olive oil
You’ll find a lot of articles online saying that vinegar is a really great appliance cleaner, but in reality, vinegar can be really harsh on stainless steel in the long run. Lots of people absolutely love this cleaning hack, so definitely try it out if you haven’t! But I wouldn’t say this is my favorite option.
How to use it:
- Add white vinegar to a spray bottle and spray directly onto your stainless steel appliance
- Wipe down with a cloth or paper towel
- After it’s dry, dip a bit of a cloth or towel into olive oil
- Wipe the olive oil over your appliance in the direction of the grain to give it some extra shine!
2. Dish soap and warm water
Everyone’s got dish soap and warm water so this is a combination that anyone can do! If you’re wondering how to clean stainless steel sink, this is the perfect way to do that, too.
How to use it:
- Get a cloth or paper towel wet with warm water and add just a bit of dish soap
- Wipe down your appliance with the cloth or towel in the direction of the grain
3. Club soda
I’ve only tried this a couple of times but it worked so well! And may be one of the easiest homemade ways to clean because it only requires one ingredient.
How to use it:
- Add club soda to a spray bottle and spray down your appliance
- Wipe in the direction of the grain, of course!
STAINLESS STEEL CLEANING PRODUCTS:
I’m a sucker for good cleaning products, so these are the things I always use when I’m cleaning stainless steel! From stainless steel cleaner wipes to sprays, I swear by these products.
1. Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner Spray
I’ve found that this can leave some residue, so to avoid that I spray this directly onto the cloth and then scrub the fridge!
2. Weiman Stainless Steel Wipes
3. Bar Keepers Friend Cookware Cleanser & Polish
4. Microfiber cleaning cloths
HOW TO CLEAN STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES Q&A:
1. What is the best thing to clean stainless steel appliances with?
I definitely recommend the products mentioned above. These are my absolute favorites for cleaning stainless steel.
2. What should you not use on stainless steel?
Don’t use any harsh chemicals or abrasive sponges or cloths! Stainless steel is sensitive so be sure to be aware of what you use on it.
3. How do you clean the outside of a stainless steel refrigerator?
Wipes, sprays, and homemade cleaners are the best way to do this! Check out the rest of this post for my favorite recommendations.
4. How do you clean stainless steel appliances without streaks?
The best way to do this is to clean in the direction of the grain of the appliance.
