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.
Many people swear by the simple combination of vinegar and olive oil for keeping their stainless steel appliances clean. Add white vinegar to a clean spray bottle. Spray down your stainless steel appliance. Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.
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.
Water + microfiber cloth does an amazing job of cleaning my appliances. Just wet a small part of the cloth with regular tap water. Wipe with the grain of the stainless until all smudges are gone then polish with the dry portion of the microfiber cloth. Like I said it amazing what water will do.
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.
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.
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.
For tough stains, use a stainless steel cleaner or a vinegar and water mix. After cleaning, buff the surface with a dry cloth to bring back the shine. To keep your stainless steel shiny, apply a thin layer of polish or oil. These products protect against smudges and discoloration.
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.
You can use any EPA-certified disinfectant on your Sinkology fireclay, vitreous china, nickel, or stainless steel sink. It's possible that you have some of these products already in your home, like Clorox or Lysol wipes, so you can get to disinfecting right away.
Streaks are usually the result of wiping against the grain or in a circular motion, using the wrong or a dirty cloth, not using enough cleaner to dissolve greasy film or not buffing thoroughly enough after cleaning. For added shine, buff the entire surface well afterward with a clean microfiber cloth.
After cleaning with a vinegar-based solution, rub oil onto the stainless steel surface–first wiping in the direction of the grain, then in a circular motion to polish and shine. Most oils work equally well, but olive oil, mineral oil, or almond oil are all good choices.
Olive oil
This kitchen staple not only cleans stainless steel, but it also helps protect it from water spots and fingerprint smudges. Apply a few drops to a dry microfiber cloth, then polish the steel by rubbing in the same direction as the grain.
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.
That's right, the same can you use for fixing squeaky doors can also clean a stainless steel sink. Simply spray some WD-40 onto a rag, and then wipe away. Remember that just like wood, stainless steel has a grain, and it's always best to wipe along the grain than against it.
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.
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.
If all you're dealing with are those smudgy fingerprints, you can give your stainless steel appliances a quick touch-up using glass cleaner. Brands like Windex will do just fine, here. Once again, spray the solution onto your cleaning rag and apply it to the smudgy areas on your appliances using a circular motion.
Dampen a microfiber cloth in warm water and wipe the stainless steel to wet it. We found that starting with a wet surface made it easiest to work with the dish soap. Next, dampen a second microfiber cloth and add a drop or two of dish soap (less is more here). Slowly begin to wipe down the appliance.
Spray down your steel with a vinegar-water mix or glass cleaner and wipe off with a soft cloth. After that, use hot water and a gentle cloth or very gentle scrub on the metal.
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.
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.