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.
Dawn powerwash does a great job on stainless steel. If you have stubborn marks or residues, use Bar Keeper's Friend soft cleanser first, then Dawn Powerwash.
If you want all the benefits of Dawn Platinum Powerwash without so much added fragrance and color, there is a Free & Clear option. It has the same active ingredients as the blue stuff so it works just as well.
If you simply want the dish soap that cleans better than any other dish soap—all other factors be damned—Dawn Platinum Dishwashing Liquid is the best dish soap for you. This blue Dawn dish soap is very similar to the original Dawn Ultra formulation, and it's easy to confuse the two when shopping.
Dawn Platinum Dish Soap
As for its effectiveness on dishes, it also powers through the toughest greasy messes, tackling the oily residue inside and outside of stainless steel cookware with very little effort during my tests.
Yes. Nonabrasive dish soaps are safe to use when washing a car. Soap maker Dawn even recommends using its dishwashing soap to remove grease and grime from exterior car surfaces. Although dishwashing soap is acceptable under certain circumstances, it should never be the first choice for a well-maintained car.
For best results, use a concentrated dish liquid like Dawn® Platinum.
A cleaner: There are specialized cleaners for stainless steel that leave it with a bright shine. If you do not have any on hand or try not to use chemicals in cleaning, there are other common alternatives, including dish soap, white vinegar, and glass cleaner.
Be careful not to use any of the following on your stainless steel appliances as they can scratch or damage the finish: products containing bleach, abrasive or grainy cleaners, glass cleaner, oven cleaner, ammonia or abrasive cloths or pads like steel wool.
Strong fragrances and harsh ingredients are big no-nos. Most dish soaps, including Dawn, have fragrance ingredients in their formula. While this may not be too irritating to wash dishes in, it can be irritating to your skin or disturb your sleep if you're washing your sheets with dish soap.
The safest dish soaps are those free from harmful chemicals like SLS, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. Look for products with certifications like MadeSafe, EWG Verified, or Leaping Bunny. Brands like Meliora, Dr. Bronner's, and Sonett are excellent choices.
Analyzing the rest of the Dawn line-up, the clear, green, orange, and pink soaps are tied for third, and are equally powerful at removing bacteria from hands and loosening up the vice grip of those scrambled egg remains or burnt-on bacon bits.
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.
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.
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.
Light soiling Soap, detergent or dilute (1%) ammonia solution in warm clean water. Apply with a clean sponge, soft cloth or soft-fibrebrush then rinse in clean water and dry. Proprietary traffic film removers (TFR) as used for cleaning cars show good results and are easily removed to leave a streak free finish.
Clean your stainless steel in one easy step with the Simple Green cleaner. It's perfect for high-end chrome and stainless steel appliances and surfaces. This ready-to-use, high-tech formula was created to rid stainless steel of smudges, streaks, fingerprints and water stains.
For best results, use a concentrated dish liquid like Dawn®. Apply a few drops onto the soft side of a damp sponge. Scrunch it a few times to disperse the soap throughout the sponge and to create suds.
Dawn is often more expensive but is justified by its strong performance and cleaning efficiency. Palmolive is generally more budget-friendly, with users appreciating its gentle formulas and environmental focus. Individual preferences and cleaning needs will help determine which brand provides better value for money.
And remember—the best soap for your vehicle is car washing soap specifically designed to handle your car's paint. You should only be using hand soap or shampoo if you are in a bind and need a clean car fast.
White vinegar
This home staple is a versatile multi-purpose cleaner and is great for many surfaces, including the exterior of your car and upholstery. While white vinegar is acidic, when diluted it won't damage your car paint – just avoid using it regularly and only when there is dirt that just won't budge.