For a quick, streak-free shine on everyday smudges and fingerprints, standard, ammonia-free glass cleaners like Windex Original work perfectly. For heavy-duty grime and polishing, dedicated polishes are recommended.
You can use glass cleaner for a quick touch-up to remove fingerprints, but it is not recommended for routine cleaning. Most glass cleaners contain ammonia, which can break down and cause the protective finish on your stainless steel to dull, pit, or discolor over time.
7 Best Stainless Steel Cleaning Methods
Yes, you can use Windex on stainless steel for a quick touch-up or to remove fingerprints. However, because it contains ammonia, repeated use can dull the finish, leave streaks, or cause pitting over time. For best results, use a cleaner made specifically for stainless steel.
Never use chlorine bleach, ammonia-based cleaners (like Windex), or abrasive tools like steel wool, scouring pads, or scrub sponges on stainless steel. These products can strip the protective chromium oxide layer, cause permanent rust-prone scratches, and permanently discolor the metal.
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.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Stay away from bleach, ammonia, and other harsh chemicals that can damage stainless steel. Instead, opt for cleaners specifically designed for stainless steel, such as the John Boos Stainless Steel Cleaner. Prevent Water Spots: Water spots can dull the shine of stainless steel.
The easiest, everyday way to clean stainless steel is using warm water, a few drops of mild dish soap, and a microfiber cloth. Wipe gently in the direction of the natural grain to lift grease and fingerprints, then buff dry with a separate, clean microfiber towel to prevent streaks.
7 Mistakes You're Making With Stainless Steel
Yes, olive oil is excellent for polishing and protecting stainless steel, but it is not a deep cleaner. Instead of cutting through heavy grime, it conceals blemishes, repels fingerprints, and leaves a streak-free shine.
To restore a stainless steel finish, start by identifying the direction of its natural "grain". Always wipe, clean, or buff parallel to these faint lines. Tackle grime using hot soapy water, a degreaser, or a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water. Restore the shine and protect it by applying a specialized stainless steel polish or a few drops of mineral or olive oil.
Restaurants require food-safe, non-toxic stainless steel cleaners that effectively cut through grease and prevent fingerprints. Top industry-trusted options for commercial kitchens include Brite Shine Commercial Stainless Steel Cleaner, Innoshine B570, and Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner.
To effectively clean stainless steel naturally, first wipe down the appliance with warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap using a microfiber cloth. Next, spray a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water to cut grease, and buff the metal with a few drops of olive oil for a brilliant, fingerprint-resistant shine.
Hotels keep glass shower doors spotless by combining strong commercial cleaning agents with routine maintenance and smart preventative coatings. Because they deal with heavy daily guest turnover, housekeeping staff rely on quick but highly effective strategies to prevent soap scum and hard water buildup.
The best stainless steel cleaners depend on your goals. For a streak-free shine and fingerprint protection, Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish is the top overall pick. If you are dealing with rust, hard water stains, or heavy buildup, Bar Keepers Friend is the best heavy-duty option.
DON'T...
Yes, you can safely use Dawn dish soap on stainless steel appliances and cookware to clean and degrease surfaces. It is effective at removing fingerprints and residue, especially when applied with a microfiber cloth.
Stainless steel is notoriously stubborn to clean because its surface is covered in microscopic grooves (the "grain") that trap oils, grease, and hard water minerals. Additionally, the metal interacts with heat, causing burnt food and polymerized oils to bond tightly to the steel's porous surface.
Yes, you can use WD-40 on stainless steel. It is a fantastic and inexpensive way to clean off stubborn fingerprints, water stains, and grime. It also leaves a polished, protective shine that naturally repels future smudges.
While a professional polish may be necessary for tougher jobs, you can get your stainless steel looking great with something you have right in your pantry: olive oil! From your stainless pots and pans to the door of your refrigerator, a few drops of oil will get the job done.
The best way to clean tarnished stainless steel is by using mild, natural abrasives or acids, such as a baking soda and water paste for tough stains or a white vinegar and water solution to remove heat tint and mineral deposits. Always wipe or polish along the metal’s grain to prevent scratching.
To make stainless steel look new again, always wipe with the grain (following the faint lines in the metal). Use a 50/50 mix of warm water and white vinegar to cut through greasy fingerprints and water spots, buff out residual streaks with a dry microfiber cloth, and apply a specialty polish for a final protective shine.
Using a Magic Eraser on a stainless steel sink is heavily debated. While some people use it to remove stubborn grime, it works like ultra-fine sandpaper and can cause fine scratches, spiderwebbing, or dull spots if used incorrectly.
For stubborn stains and more noticeable scratches, we recommend use of a more aggressive cleaner, such as Bar Keepers Friend. Ensure the cleaner is rubbed in the direction of the sink grain lines and the sink completely dried when finished.