Can I use WD-40 on stainless steel?

Author: Miss Vanessa Gaylord  |  Last update: Sunday, March 23, 2025

All in all, WD-40 does an amazing job at cleaning and polishing stainless steel. The only downfall it has is that it has a very unique smell. If you're a guy like me, you've been in the service industry for any period of time, you love that smell. However, your customers may not.

Is WD-40 safe for stainless steel?

Using WD-40 to clean a stainless steel stovetop is not recommended. While WD-40 is great for lubrication and removing rust, it is not a cleaner and can leave a greasy residue that may be difficult to remove.

What is the best thing to use to clean stainless steel?

You can use baking soda by making a paste with water to gently rub on the surface of your appliance. Vinegar can be used as a stainless steel cleaner when mixed with mineral oil. Stainless steel appliances can also be cleaned using a mixture of dish soap and warm water.

What products should not be used on stainless steel?

DON'T use chlorine bleach, chloride, oven cleaner, or other abrasive cleaners. Many different cleaners contain chlorides or chlorine. These chemicals and other abrasive cleaners will cause surface pitting. They can also strip the protective chrome oxide barrier from stainless steel.

How to use WD-40 to remove rust from stainless steel?

WD-40 can help remove rust from metals like iron, chrome, and stainless steel without further damaging the surface of the metal or removing the paint. Simply spray some WD-40 directly onto your appliance, or into a rag, and then wipe away.

Can you use WD40 to clean your stainless steel appliances?

What is the easiest way to remove rust from stainless steel?

To remove any rust, fill a spray bottle with undiluted white vinegar. After which, spray the vinegar on the item and wipe it off with a cleaning cloth or paper towel until it's dry. Lastly, rinse with water.

How long should you let WD-40 sit to remove rust?

WD-40 Specialist Rust Remover Soak.

To remove light rust, leave parts in the solution for 1-3 hours. To remove heavy rust, leave parts in the rust removal solution overnight. Do not use on parts that have bluing, browning, or protective oxide paints, as those protective coatings would be removed.

What will ruin stainless steel?

5 Factors That Can Cause Stainless Steel To Corrode
  • 1: Strong Chlorides Can Cause Pitting Corrosion in Stainless Steel. ...
  • 2: Bimetallic/Galvanic Corrosion from Welding Dissimilar Stainless Steel Alloys. ...
  • 3: Transplanting of Plain Iron or Steel onto Stainless Steels. ...
  • 4: Applying Temperature Extremes to Stainless Steel.

Is Dawn dish soap safe on stainless steel?

Use a microfiber or soft cloth when wiping down your appliances. Avoid cleaners that can damage steel and finishes. Instead, clean your stainless steel appliances with a dish soap like Dawn® Platinum. Its unique formula is tough enough to break up grease and grime while staying gentle on stainless steel surfaces.

Does bar keepers friend remove rust from stainless steel?

You could use several BKF products, but I prefer the original Bar Keepers Friend Powdered Cleanser. Our unique formula with oxalic acid breaks down and removes rust stains. Take some time to care for your stainless flatware, and you will not only keep it looking good, but you will also extend its lifetime.

How to make stainless steel look new again?

Combine one part vinegar with eight parts water. Spray the solution on the stainless surfaces and let it sit for five minutes. Afterwards, rinse with cool water or wipe with a damp cloth. After your stainless steel surfaces have dried, sprinkle them with olive oil and wipe them with a clean cloth.

Can I use Windex on stainless steel?

Avoid using regular Windex on stainless steel, as the ammonia content can damage the material. Although it is possible to clean stainless steel with ammonia-free Windex, it is best not to take the chance because it is difficult to tell how a cleaner will react with stainless steel.

Where should you not use WD-40?

7 places to never use WD-40 — you'll be surprised
  • Hinges. (Image credit: Shutterstock) ...
  • Bike chains. (Image credit: Shutterstock) ...
  • Locks. (Image credit: Shutterstock) ...
  • Polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic. ...
  • Sensitive electronics. ...
  • Wax polishes and some wax coatings. ...
  • Anything that comes into contact with food.

What is the best product to clean stainless steel?

7 Best Stainless Steel Cleaning Methods
  1. Olive Oil and Vinegar. Vinegar is all-natural, non-abrasive, and acts as an effective sanitizer. ...
  2. Dish Soap and Baby Oil. You can combine dish soap and baby oil to restore your appliance's luster. ...
  3. Club Soda. ...
  4. Steam. ...
  5. Baking Soda. ...
  6. Powder Cleanser. ...
  7. Stainless Steel Cleaner.

Is WD-40 corrosive to metal?

WD-40 is used to protect metal from corrosion and rust.

Does vinegar clean stainless steel?

Vinegar and olive oil are two must-haves in any kitchen.

They're ideal for cleaning stainless steel surfaces too! Here's how to use them: Wipe down the surface to remove any dust and grime. Spray a small amount of vinegar (white or apple cider vinegar) onto the surface.

What should you not use to clean stainless steel appliances?

There are also some major "don'ts" when it comes to cleaning stainless steel:
  • Avoid using steel wool or any other abrasive sponges or scrubber pads.
  • Don't use any chlorine-based cleaner or anything with chloride in it.
  • Don't use an oven cleaner.
  • If your tap water is harsh, it might leave spots or stains.

What is the best way to clean a stainless steel refrigerator?

Dampen a microfiber cloth in warm water and wipe the stainless steel to wet it. We found that starting with a wet surface made it easiest to work with the dish soap. Next, dampen a second microfiber cloth and add a drop or two of dish soap (less is more here). Slowly begin to wipe down the appliance.

What should you not put in stainless steel?

Do not put in any of the following things:
  • Dry ice, carbonated beverages, etc. (These may increase the pressure, causing the contents to blow out.)
  • Milk, dairy-based drinks, fruit juice, etc. ...
  • Sodium-rich liquids such as miso soup, soup, etc. ...
  • Fruit bits, tea leaves, etc.

How long can you leave bar keepers friend on stainless steel?

We recommend you leave BKF on for no longer than ONE MINUTE. This is especially important for metal surfaces as it could cause discoloration. For surfaces such as plastic or porcelain, contact for longer than a minute may be necessary, but test in an inconspicuous area first.

What eats stainless steel?

Chloride ion is the most common of these and is found in everyday materials such as salt and bleach. Harsh pitting corrosion is a localized damage that eats pits into stainless steel. In addition to chloride ion, can be caused by elevated temperatures for extended amounts of time or lack of oxygen to the surface.

Will WD-40 remove rust from stainless steel?

Most people know WD-40 Multi-Use Product as a lubricant, but it was originally used as an anti-corrosive by the aerospace industry to prevent spacecraft from rusting. WD-40 can help remove rust from metals like iron, chrome, and stainless steel without further damaging the surface of the metal or removing the paint.

How long do you leave WD-40 in the toilet?

When cleaning a toilet bowl, WD-40 works by softening the rust and lime deposits, so they can be easily wiped away. You don't need to use much of it. Simply spray on the affected area, wait a minute or two and brush it away with a regular toilet brush.

Is WD-40 considered a penetrating oil?

WD-40 (Water Displacement, 40th formula) is an American brand and the trademark of a penetrating oil manufactured by the WD-40 Company based in San Diego, California. Its formula was invented for the Rocket Chemical Company in 1953, before it became the WD-40 Company.

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