Windex is often recommended to clean stainless steel, notably by the company that makes it. It contains ammonia, which shouldn't leave streaks, but also detergents and various chemicals that evidently do, and which can build into a dull film. Paper towels may deposit lint, too.
Windex and Stainless Steel
Ammonia is a major component of Windex cleaning products. It is known to corrode stainless steel, and numerous experts advise against its use.
If your tap has hard water, consider cleaning with filtered or distilled water. Hard water may leave spots due to the high mineral content. Don't use any cleaning solutions with ammonia, chlorine or bleach. These chemicals react with the stainless steel and can cause damage to the finish.
HOPE'S Perfect Stainless Stainless Steel Appliance Polish
If you want to avoid the extra step of buffing your stainless steel, Hope's is your best bet. Its self-polishing formula dries quickly without streaking and without the extra buffing that some cleaners need to impart a shine.
Distilled white vinegar (in a spray bottle) Olive oil. Microfiber cloths that are gentle on stainless steel (never an abrasive like a Scotch-Brite pad)
Dish Soap and Baby Oil
Simple dish soap can also work to clean your stainless-steel appliances. 1: Clean the appliance with dish soap. 2: Put a small amount of baby oil on a microfiber cloth. 3: Move the cloth in the direction of the grain to polish and shine your appliance.
Streaks are a bummer. If you wipe the surface of your stainless steel with dish soap or baking soda, rinse thoroughly afterwards. If you use vinegar and still have streaks, fingerprints, or smudges, give your appliance another go with it.
Solution: The unsightly spots on a gleaming pan are typically caused by a buildup of the calcium found in water. Remove them by boiling a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. Let it cool completely, then wash and dry the pan as usual.
Dish soap: The surfactants in dish soap lift oil and grease, making it ideal for cleaning stainless steel. We used Dawn Ultra and Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Dish Soap. Warm water: A small bowl of warm water—or a sink nearby—works.
This product will clean and shine surfaces without any dull residue. When used as directed, it kills 99.9% of germs‡ and bacteria† on hard, non-porous surfaces. Great for cleaning bathrooms, kitchens, tiles, stainless steel, and more.
To make: Start with a clean spray bottle. Pour in white vinegar, Blue Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent and water. Apply the spray top and shake to mix. To use: Shake to mix then spray it liberally on the stainless steel surface you want to clean.
You can use a heavy coating of Pledge (yes, the furniture cleaner) to clean stainless steel. Here's how: First, lay a towel down in front of the appliance (if it's a fridge, oven, or dishwasher) so that you don't slip on Pledge overspray for days afterward.
If you have rust on your flatware, place a rag into some regular vinegar and rub the spots vigorously until the spots have disappeared, then put some olive oil on another clean rag and rub it gently into your stainless steel flatware.
Club soda will do the sparkle trick as well. After placing the stopper in your sink, pour some club soda in and rub with a soft cloth. As always, dry with soft cloth to prevent water spots and surface rust.
Stainless steel sinks have many qualities that make them a good option, but the minerals from hard water and improper cleaning can leave the sink with spots and streaks. With just a little time and effort, though, your sink can have the same shine you want in your stainless steel appliances.
Add some shine, naturally.
To make the surface of your stainless steel appliance shiny and protect it from fingerprints, add a small drop of olive oil to a cloth and buff it on the surface, working in the direction of the grain, and then wipe away excess with a dry cloth.
Skip the store-bought products and use distilled white vinegar as a homemade stainless steel cleaner. It's all you need to keep your stainless steel appliances, countertops, and sink looking great.
Dish Soap and Baby Oil
Stainless steel appliances and counters can be cleaned with a small amount of dish soap mixed with water. Rinse their surfaces thoroughly with warm, soapy water. After the stainless steel has dried, apply a light coat of baby oil and polish it.
Common causes of stainless steel corrosion include chlorides, hydrochloric acids, sulfuric acids, iron or carbon steel contact, and high temperatures.