Stainless steel is a sleek modern finish that looks great with nearly any kitchen color scheme. But fingerprints, smudges, spills, and splashes can make the material unsightly.
Luckily, our tricks for cleaning stainless steel will help your appliances sparkle again. Learn the best way to remove water stains on stainless steel, plus how to clean stainless steel with microfiber cloth, baking soda, and more.
How to Clean Stainless Steel
Daily care of your stainless-steel appliances will make big cleaning less frequent.
Microfiber Method
Step 1: Wipe Down Stainless Steel. For daily cleaning and removing water stains from stainless steel, a simple wipe with a microfiber cloth and water does the trick. Wet the cloth and wipe down the appliance.
Step 2: Dry and Polish. Wipe the surface again with another microfiber cloth to dry. By giving the appliance a once-over with a dry cloth, you’ll remove any excess moisture that could become future water spots. For extra shine, use a polishing rag to buff the steel.
Step 3: Scrub with Soap. You can also use a little dish soap if you feel like your stainless-steel surfaces are extra grimy. Pick a dish soap that doesn’t contain chlorine and put a drop on a cloth.
Dampen the cloth with water and wring out excess water. Wipe down the surface and follow up with another damp cloth (sans dish soap), and, finally, dry the surface with a clean, dry rag.
Baking Soda and Vinegar Method
Sometimes the microfiber method needs a little support. Look no further than your kitchen pantry for a hardworking stainless-steel cleaning solution.
Step 1: Boil Vinegar and Soak Towel. To remove tough stains on stainless-steel appliances, wet a thick, clean towel with distilled white vinegar that has been brought to a boil. Make sure to use caution when handling the boiled vinegar.
Step 2: Soak and Wipe. Place the damp towel on the spot and let it sit for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with baking soda, then scrub gently until the spot disappears. Wipe the area clean with water and dry with a clean cloth.
How to Keep Your Stainless Steel Clean Longer
Proper upkeep is an essential part of making the most of your kitchen’s stainless steel appliances and equipment. Failure to maintain your investment can lead to unsightly staining, discoloration, or even long-term damage.
Fortunately, the upkeep of stainless is simple. By developing routine maintenance procedures, you can extend the life of your kitchen’s stainless steel items and keep them looking like new.
Use a Polishing Paste
Commercially sold pastes are another way to keep stainless steel appliances sparkling. They create a microscopic wax layer on the surface that lasts up to several months, making the surface easy to clean.
Polishing paste is for decorative surfaces only, and is not appropriate for cookware.
Make sure to buff pastes thoroughly or it may appear cloudy on your stainless steel surface.
Avoid Abrasive Tools and Cleaners
Be sure to avoid abrasives like sandpaper, steel wool, metal brushes, and harsh abrasive cleaners. Soft abrasives may work in specific scenarios, but first spot-test in an inconspicuous place.
When using abrasives, wipe in the same direction as the grain or polish on the surface of the steel to ensure an optimal appearance.
How to Remove Stains on Stainless Steel with Baking Soda
Typically, you need to pay a bit more attention to burnt or caked-on messes on stainless steel sinks, pots and pans, or countertops. This method also works as a way to clean stainless steel compost bins.
Step 1. Make a Paste.
To start, make a soft paste of baking soda and water and then apply it to the stain, allowing it to sit for about 20 minutes.
Step 2. Mix a solution
In a small to medium-sized bowl, mix a solution of water and dish soap.
Step 3. Scrub with a Soft Cloth
Next, scrub the area with a soft cloth dampened in a solution of water and dish soap, working parallel to the grain to avoid scratches.
Step 4. Rinse and Dry
Be sure to fully rinse the area with warm water, wiping away any residue left from the soap and water solution. Dry well with a clean cloth to avoid streaking.
How to Get Rid of Fingerprints on Stainless Steel
Fingerprints on stainless steel are almost impossible to avoid, especially if you have little ones who like to touch everything in sight or budding chefs who pay no mind to the mess in the moment.
Luckily, there’s an easy solution to rid your stainless-steel appliances of fingerprints. Simply drop a little rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth and rub over the stains. The alcohol will zap the oily residue and grime left by a human hand.