Diluted vinegar with a little dish soap is my go to for stainless steel. Barkeepers friend for the tough stains (careful not to stub too hard or can cause scratches), however be sure to follow instructions and DO NOT let it sit long.
Dawn powerwash does a great job on stainless steel. If you have stubborn marks or residues, use Bar Keeper's Friend soft cleanser first, then Dawn Powerwash.
The plastic and glass surfaces on most small kitchen appliances, such as blenders, coffee makers, and toasters, are safe to clean with vinegar, but you want to avoid any rubber parts or metal that vinegar can corrode. This includes stainless steel.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Using warm water and a microfiber cloth is the simplest, and least risky, method of cleaning your stainless steel. Afterwards, be sure to dry the surfaces by wiping in the direction of the stainless steel polish lines. The microfiber will not only prevent scratching, but it will absorb any remaining water.
DON'T use chlorine bleach, chloride, oven cleaner, or other abrasive cleaners. Many different cleaners contain chlorides or chlorine. These chemicals and other abrasive cleaners will cause surface pitting. They can also strip the protective chrome oxide barrier from 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.
You can clean stainless steel naturally with various nonabrasive techniques like microfiber cloths, sponges, and cleaning solutions like baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, mild soaps, and more.
The Best At-Home Methods for Cleaning Stainless Steel
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.
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.
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.
Acids: Strong acids destabilize the passive layer. Hydrochloric and sulfuric acids can cause general surface corrosion. Hydrochloric acid is used in plastic production and descaling agents, while sulfuric acid is used in mineral processing, oil refining, and wastewater processing.
We recommend you leave BKF on for no longer than ONE MINUTE. This is especially important for metal surfaces as it could cause discoloration. For surfaces such as plastic or porcelain, contact for longer than a minute may be necessary, but test in an inconspicuous area first.
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.
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.