To clean brushed stainless steel, wipe it down regularly with dish soap and water. Alternatively, spray your stainless steel with white vinegar and use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the surface.
Brushed stainless steel can be cleaned manually with synthetic steel wool pads or very fine sand paper. (Do not use real steel wool or it can cause even more rust.) A no-scratch cleanser like BonAmi can also be used but it is more messy. If you use an abrasive, make sure to clean WITH the grain.
You're better off using a soft toothbrush or cloth, and a non-caustic cleaning product designed to safely clean metals, like Simple Green Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner.
Be sure to avoid using acid, alcohol, or solvent-based cleaners. These types of cleaners can ruin or discolor the more delicate surface of the brushed nickel finish. Vinegar is a popular faucet cleaning solution, but should be avoided on brushed nickel.
Can I use vinegar on my brushed nickel tapware? While vinegar and water can be effective for removing water spots, it's best used sparingly to avoid potential damage to the finish. Always dilute it with water and rinse thoroughly afterwards.
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.
DO use a non-abrasive cleaner. 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.
Place a small amount of dish detergent on your cleaning rag, and dampen the rag with warm water. Wipe along the surface of the stainless steel in the direction of the grain (this may run horizontally or vertically). When all dirt is wiped away, dry any remaining water marks with a soft cloth or paper towel.
The main difference between the two of these is the surface; brushed stainless steel will have a rougher texture with grit lines, while polished or mirror stainless steel will have a smoother, more reflective surface.
Directions for Cleaning Brushed Nickel Faucets:
Add 1 oz. of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner to 1 cup of water in an empty spray bottle. Apply. Spray the solution onto the brushed nickel surface and let it sit for a minute or so.
Dish soap and water
Wet a soft cloth with warm water and apply a very small amount of dish soap to the cloth. Wipe in the direction of the metal's grain to clean away the fingerprints, then dry the surface thoroughly with a soft, dry cloth or paper towel. Repeat the process if the stains remain.
Start buffing stainless steel with sandpaper between 150 and 240 grit. Many pros suggest going from 240 up to 400, then 600, and finally 1200 grit to round out your progression. You could take things a step further with a 2000 grit sandpaper, but it's probably only helpful or necessary for a mirror finish.
If any grease, dirt or hard water deposit is too stubborn for water alone, dampen your cloth in a solution of white vinegar diluted in water. Never use neat vinegar on brushed steel as that too can cause damage, and if you do use a vinegar solution make sure you quickly rinse the area well once you're done.
Don't Use Magic Erasers on Chrome or Stainless-Steel Surfaces & Fixtures. Contrary to popular belief cleaning stainless steel or chrome surfaces with harsh cleaning tools like scouring pads, SOS pads or others is a big no.
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.
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.
I tested it out on a scorched aluminum pot (above), and it did good work on the blackened bottom after several scrubbing sessions. But it wasn't able to remove the older burnt food smear on the outside (below).
Don't use an abrasive sponge, as it can scratch the chrome (one of many bathroom cleaning mistakes). Then repeat with a damp cloth to rinse.
#2 – Try a simple soap (dish-soap), a clean rag (not from the work-shop please) and water. These are usually soft enough to remove finger-smudge marks, which Brushed Nickel is most prone to. Avoid using scented hand-soaps as these might leave additives or have things like scrubbing-grit.