If your sink shows mineral deposits — a white haze over the metal — soak a cloth with vinegar and leave it over the deposits for a bit (maybe 15 minutes), then wipe them away. You can repeat this treatment several times if necessary.
If you've ever purchased a stainless steel appliance, you may have noticed that the surface often comes covered with a protective film. This film is designed to protect the stainless steel from scratches and other damage during shipping and installation.
Polishing Your Surface
Finally, you can polish your stainless steel surface with either store-bought polishes or homemade solutions like olive oil mixed with vinegar or lemon juice. If using store-bought polish, follow the instructions on the label carefully, as different products require different application methods.
Stainless steel is easily scratched and using abrasive cleaning products will harm and dull the finish. Steel wool and scrub brushes can also leave behind tiny particles that may later rust.
While resistant to the effects of saltwater, environmental fallout, and UV damage, stainless steel will eventually succumb and start to oxidize. The material will start to look hazy, maybe even slightly brown from a light dusting or rust.
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)
Vinegar can indeed damage your stainless steel surfaces if precautions aren't taken during its use. However, by diluting acidic cleaners like vinegar before application and regularly wiping down surfaces afterwards with warm soapy water, you can keep your stainless steel in pristine condition for years to come!
Soak in Distilled White Vinegar
Soak the glassware on all sides in the vinegar for at least 15 minutes. If you are cleaning a cloudy glass window or object that cannot be soaked, pour undiluted distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle and spritz the glass.
Vinegar is safe to use on stainless steel and helps remove oil and grime. Fill a reusable spray bottle with a combination of 1:1 white vinegar and water. Spritz it on, and wipe it off — no need to rinse!
It could be stainless steel and abrasive residue created from polishing. Method for Removal: Hand wiping with alkaline cleaners, followed by hot water rinsing. May require multiple applications until wipe testing results are satisfactory.
Some stainless steel pans can have a cloudy appearance due to mineral deposits that remain in the pan after boiling water. These mineral deposits contain calcium and salt. To avoid this, try bringing the pan in water before you begin cooking. You can also use a cleaning agent that does not contain bleach.
Restoring your stainless steel finishes is easier than ever thanks to natural ingredients like vinegar and baking soda, as well as store-bought cleaners specially formulated for use on metal surfaces such as brass, copper, gold, etc.
The plastic and glass surfaces on most small kitchen appliances, such as blenders, coffee makers, and toasters, are safe to clean with vinegar, but you want to avoid any rubber parts or metal that vinegar can corrode. This includes stainless steel.
The Magic Eraser is great for many surfaces, but it is not recommended for stainless steel appliances.
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.
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.
BKF cleans and polishes most hard, nonporous surfaces. However, never use BKF on the following: cast iron, granite, marble, wood, fabric, leather, or painted surfaces. Although many of our fans have used BKF on mirrors, gold, and silver (sterling silver is OK), we advise against it.
To get rid of tougher marks, you can use glass cleaner or stainless steel cleaner as needed. They'll be more effective on fingerprints than just water and dish soap. And they can restore stainless steel's shine.
Toothpaste works well as a stainless steel polish. Choose a mild, non-gel formula that does not contain teeth whitening ingredients.