Apply a bit of baking soda on the surface, then apply white vinegar (it can be in a spray bottle or a small amount dabbed on a kitchen towel). Gently wipe away the spot with a soft cloth or paper towel and rinse with warm water. Another insider secret for banishing buildup, according to Shimek, is to use club soda.
Mix the white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution directly onto the stainless steel surface. Wipe it down with a clean, soft cloth, following the steel's grain. Rinse with water and dry thoroughly to prevent streaks.
For more stubborn stains or heavy-duty messes, sprinkle some baking soda on the area, let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub away with a cloth dampened with vinegar. Plain water, white vinegar, and a little baking soda are some of the best, most inexpensive ways to clean any stainless steel you may have.
To make: Start with a clean spray bottle. Pour in white vinegar, Blue Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent and water. Apply the spray top and shake to mix. To use: Shake to mix then spray it liberally on the stainless steel surface you want to clean.
Vinegar is an excellent DIY stainless steel cleaner. You'll just need white vinegar, warm water and an empty spray bottle. Microfiber cloths are recommended as they don't leave lint behind, but you can use a paper towel too.
Avoid cleaners that can damage steel and finishes. Instead, clean your stainless steel appliances with a dish soap like Dawn® Platinum.
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.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
One of the best ways to remove tough stains on stainless steel pans is to mix 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of white vinegar with hot water, according to Maria Mock, president of Molly Maid.
› Chlorine bleach is a very aggressive chemical, it can and will corrode stainless steel. Remember that stainless steel is primarily steel, chromium and nickel. Chemicals can discolour these materials if care is not taken. Certain acids etc can also cause problems.
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.
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.
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.
HOMEMADE STAINLESS STEEL CLEANERS
You can use baking soda by making a paste with water to gently rub on the surface of your appliance. 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.
Bar Keepers Friend or baking soda: These powdered cleaners can scrub off stains without damaging pans. Bar Keepers Friend is more effective at scrubbing the toughest stains, but baking soda is more versatile.
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. Additionally, do not clean your appliances with paper towels or newspaper, since it may dull or scratch the coating.
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.
While the complete “recipe” is inaccessible for the masses, a Dawn spokeswoman has pointed the magic to uniquely powerful surfuctants—or, the chemical compounds that reduce the surface tension of a liquid when it's dissolved, aka the stuff that cuts the grease.
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.