What is the best dishwashing liquid for stainless steel?

Author: Prof. Clovis Marks II  |  Last update: Saturday, September 13, 2025

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. - Air-drying: Always wipe away dirty or soiled water and any leftover cleaning solution with a reusable cloth.

What dishwasher detergent is best for stainless steel?

For best results, use a Cascade Platinum Plus ActionPac in your dishwasher. It has special enzymes that latch on, break down, and wash away food with no pre-washing on your part. So, it's powerful enough to remove those baked-on messes, but won't damage any non-stick linings your pots and pans have.

Is Dawn dish soap good for stainless steel?

I don't love the look of grimy fingerprints on stainless steel. But, such is life with children and stainless steel appliances. Dawn dish soap makes a good stainless steel cleaner. Simply add a squirt of Dawn to warm water and use a microfiber cloth to wipe (be sure to go with the grain of your steel) the appliances.

What is the best cleaner for stainless steel dishwashers?

You should only use mild soap, warm water and a microfiber cloth, making sure the surface is completely dry when done. Do not use stainless steel cleaners or polish and also avoid any harsh cleaners like window sprays or scouring cleansers, as it may damage the stainless steel coating.

Is green Dawn as good as blue Dawn?

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.

How to Clean Stainless Steel Pots and Pans

What is the healthiest dish soap to use?

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.

Which is better, Palmolive or Dawn?

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.

What not to clean stainless steel with?

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.

What do professionals clean stainless steel with?

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.

Is it OK to clean a stainless steel dishwasher with vinegar?

For the dishwasher's stainless steel surface, you can spray undiluted white or apple cider vinegar on it and wipe away any stains or dirt. Next, wipe the door down with a cloth dampened with water to remove the vinegar residue.

What is the best wash for stainless steel?

Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser, Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser, and Bar Keepers Friend MORE Spray+Foam are perfect for regularly cleaning stainless steel sinks and cookware. Each of these products is non-abrasive and won't harm the chrome oxide barrier when used properly.

Should you use paper towels on stainless steel?

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.

What detergent is good for cleaning stainless steel?

  • CIF Perfect Finish Stainless Steel Cleaner| Removes Tough Dirt 435ml (pack of 1) ...
  • JOFF Tap and Shower Cleaner, 250ml. ...
  • 3M Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish, Cleaning Spray Foam, Ready to Use Cleaner for Metal Surfaces, Remove Water Stain Mark & Fingerprints, Resists Streaking, Non Greasy & Pleasant Fragrance -283gm.

What is the best soap to clean stainless steel?

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.

Is it better to use dishwasher pods or liquid?

It's unanimous! All four plumbers I spoke to recommend using dishwasher pods over liquid detergent. Pods are pre-measured, which means they're less likely to leave residue behind, and they perform better than liquid detergent. “I prefer Cascade Platinum Pods.

Why can't you wash stainless steel in the dishwasher?

Technically, yes—stainless steel cookware can go in the dishwasher. But just because it can doesn't always mean it should. Certain types of stainless steel can become warped or corroded in the high-heat, high-pressure environment of the dishwasher, meaning you should hand wash.

What liquid is used to clean stainless steel?

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.

Can I use Clorox wipes on stainless steel?

Using any cleaner containing bleach, such as Clorox wipes, should not be used on metal surfaces like stainless steel, as this could result in corrosion or 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 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.

What is bad for stainless steel?

Adding salt to cold water

Adding salt to cold water in stainless steel pots can cause pitting corrosion, creating small, irreversible pits on the surface. Always wait for the water to boil before adding salt to prevent this type of damage.

What ruins stainless steel finish?

Perfect for disinfecting and whitening, terrible for shiny metals. Any form of chlorine or bleach can corrode the metal and make it degrade faster. When you think you're doing your stainless steel a favor by disinfecting it with bleach, you're actually destroying it.

Why not to use Dawn dish soap?

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.

What is so special about Blue Dawn dish soap?

Expert cleaners at Classic Cleaners confirm that original blue dawn can be used for many things, not just the dishes, because of it's grease dissolving properties. It's also non-toxic, not harmful to your skin, it's biodegradable and it contains no phosphates.

What dish soap doesn't dry out your hands?

In our test, Dawn Gentle Clean was less drying to the skin than others we tested, and it still did a great job cutting grease. Some testers reported that their hands felt softer, too, after using it.

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