Stainless steel appliances are an increasingly popular trend in home kitchens. They are durable, long-lasting, and resistant to rust, as well as to wear and tear, not to mention attractive and sleek. But if you have stainless steel in your home, you also know that no matter how much elbow grease you use, cleaning stainless steel appliances can be a challenging task. No matter how hard you scrub, you are left with smudges and smears. If you have little ones at home, the handprints are never-ending.
From cleaning the fingerprints from your stainless steel fridge to getting the cooked-on grime off your stove top, to cleaning your stainless steel cookware, getting everything to sparkle can seem like a huge task if you don’t know where to begin. If you’re looking to get your stainless steel appliances and stainless steel surfaces sparkling clean, check out these tips to keep things smudge-free and shiny.
Home Remedies
Do you know what to use for cleaning stainless steel appliances? There are many cleaning products on the market today, but when it comes to cleaning the surface of a major investment like your stainless steel appliances, you may be feeling a bit hesitant. What can (and can’t) you use to clean stainless steel? And what’s the secret to removing smudges and fingerprints that just won’t go away?
- Vinegar and olive oil: A spray bottle filled with a solution of vinegar and water is a great chemical-free way to kill germs and disinfect stainless steel surfaces. Spray and wipe the surface with a clean cloth. Once you’ve killed all the germs, use another clean, dry cloth and a little olive oil to buff away smudges.
- Glass cleaner or ammonia: You probably already have a glass cleaner or a spray bottle of ammonia sitting in a cupboard at home. Go ahead and use your tried-and-true glass cleaner on your stainless steel. It won’t damage your appliances, and it will save you from having to buy and store another cleaning product in your cabinet.
- Baking soda (and a bonus): Another product you’ve probably already got at home, that’s great for cleaning caked on grime? Baking soda! This do-it-all product works well for deodorizing, baking, science fair volcanoes, and even cleaning your stainless steel. When cleaning stainless steel sinks, or cleaning stainless steel pans, food and debris can get cooked on or dried onto a surface.
Lots of abrasive cleaning products are too erosive for stainless steel, and can leave scratches or dull the finish, but baking soda is gentle enough to use on stainless steel, without ruining the look. You can even try it when cleaning messy stainless steel stovetops!
Start by spraying a vinegar solution, letting it sit, and then buffing debris away in a circular motion with a clean cloth and a little baking soda, and your stainless steel will be shiny and clean in no time! Don’t forget to wipe it all clean with a little warm water. There’s an even gentler cleaner that works the same way— flour!
- Cleaning Sprays: Of course, if you’re looking for something that’s ready to use, you can’t go wrong with a prepared spray designed for stainless steel cleaning. There are many to choose from, from all-natural products to products for your pots and pans, like Bar Keeper’s Friend. Some polish as they clean and some come in packages of wipes. Here’s a great list of a few that can help you keep your stainless steel surfaces shining.
The Secret “Magic Weapon”
Perhaps the biggest secret to clean stainless steel? Using the right cloth. A regular dish towel or paper towel can leave smudges behind instead of wiping them away. Instead, use a washable, reusable microfiber cloth to ensure that you get your stainless steel appliances clean the first time.
These soft cloths are also great on glass and mirrors, and can go right in the washing machine when you’re done. They’re economical and earth-friendly, and will get all the smears out of your stainless steel the first time around!
Cleaning Your Stainless Steel Grill
If your love of stainless steel extends to the great outdoors, chances are you have a stainless steel grill that may need a deep cleaning. Unlike other grills, you will want to avoid using a wire brush or abrasive scrubbers that will scratch the grill’s surface. Instead, regularly cleaning your grill after each use eliminates baked-on grime and prevents acidic, erosive marinades from permanently adhering themselves to your grill.
A spray of a vinegar-water solution can help remove smears and burned food particles. For tricky messes, you can even make a paste from baking soda and water to buff out stubborn remaining smears. Stainless steel sprays designed especially for grills, like Bayes BBQ Cleaner, can clean and also prevent messes in the future. Using a cover to protect your grill from the elements keeps it clean and shiny each time you use it.
Helpful Hints
If you find yourself frustrated by smudges, it can be tempting to use abrasive cleaners to really get the surfaces of your stainless steel clean. However, anything too abrasive can permanently scratch the stainless steel. Steel wood and abrasive sponges or scrubber pads can scratch, and chlorine or chloride-based cleaning products and cleaners designed for ovens can damage surfaces.
Also, if you have particularly hard water, it may leave spots. You may want to consider a water softener or a water-free cleaning alternative. Or, if you want to incorporate water, use distilled or bottled water to get your stainless surfaces to really sparkle. Vinegar removes mineral deposits from hard water.
Like wood, stainless steel comes with a grain, and it’s best to use it as a guideline for how to clean it. You can keep stainless steel looking fresh and new if you clean the surface following the grain.
Get Some Extra Help
What’s another way to get your stainless steel extra clean and support a small business with a dedicated team and a focus on professionalism? Talk to the folks at Clean My Space. Hiring a cleaning service can seem daunting, but with outstanding customer reviews, you can trust that Clean My Space will get all the surfaces of your home to shine. Learn more about how our team operates and trust that we’ll take care of the rest – including your stainless steel.
Request a quote today and let Clean My Space handle those stainless steel smudges for you. Love the way we make your stainless steel fridge gleam? Take advantage of our referral program and save $50 on your next cleaning!
