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.
This is a good method of cleaning. Stainless steel is easy to maintain, you can wash it with nearly any substance including dish soap. Only salt, other chlorides, strong acids and scratches can harm this material. But it still remains usable with minor damage.
Diluted vinegar with a little dish soap is my go to for stainless steel. Barkeepers friend for the tough stains (careful not to stub too hard or can cause scratches), however be sure to follow instructions and DO NOT let it sit long.
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.
2. General Cleaning. Mix a solution of warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap in a spray bottle. This gentle yet effective solution will help remove grease, grime, and smudges without damaging the stainless steel finish.
More acidic soaps (pH levels lower than 6.5) will corrode metal parts (even stainless steel!!) and degrade rubber and plastic components. Most inexpensive soaps (typically the pink lotion type) fall into this acidic category and will eventually cause valve failure and metal corrosion.
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. Always consult your product manual before using any homemade cleaning solutions.
As a general rule, however, you should avoid these tools and cleaners on stainless steel, as they may scratch the surface, stain or dull the finish: Harsh abrasives. Scouring powders. Steel wool.
Hydrochloric and sulphuric acids at some concentrations are particularly aggressive towards stainless steel. General corrosion can be quite destructive and happen to the entire surface at once.
As you will read above and below, to avoid scratches on your stainless steel, you should never use anything rough or bristled, and definitely do not use steel wool. You should also never use paper towels. Paper towels leave behind lint and depending on the brand of paper towel you use – it can also leave scratches.
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.
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.
The Environmental Working Group gave Dawn a 'D' grade because of it containing methylisothiazolinone, which is a "High Concern: acute aquatic toxicity; Some Concern: skin irritation/allergies/damage". Sounds delightful, right? Dawn also contains 1 4-dioxane which is considered a groundwater contaminant.
Just like your hands, the best way to wash your watch at home is with warm water and gentle soap. Dish soap works well for stainless steel watches.
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.
Easy Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner Can Damage Stainless Steel Surfaces. Easy Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner, in the yellow can, says it is safe for stainless steel surfaces, but several people have experienced damage when they used it. You can read their stories, and see pictures of the damage here.
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.
Not recommended for the following surfaces: high gloss, polished, dark, brushed, satin, faux, bare/polished wood, copper, stainless steel appliances, non-stick coating or vehicle body.
Avoid using any harsh chemicals or multi-purpose cleaners that contain bleach or ammonia on your stainless steel appliances, and only use a clean, microfiber cloth to wipe the surface.