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.
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.
General Cleaning and Care
Clean the product with warm soapy water and a soft, non-abrasive sponge or brush. Never use any metal cleaning pads or harsh, abrasive cleaning agents on the non-stick surface. For stubborn food residue, fill the product with warm soapy water and let soak for 15 to 20 minutes before washing.
For daily cleaning, the best method is a mixture of dish soap and warm water applied with a soft microfiber cloth. For tackling tough grease, fingerprints, and hard water stains, white vinegar and water (or a dedicated product like Weiman Cleaner) works best.
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.
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.
Use a soft non-metal sponge to wash your Dutch oven with warm water and a mild dish soap.
Technically, yes — baking soda is safe to use on stainless steel. But there's a catch: it's a mild abrasive. That means repeated use or scrubbing too hard can lead to tiny scratches in your appliance's finish, especially if you're not using a soft cloth or sponge.
All that said, Bar Keepers Friend isn't for everything, namely anything that will scratch easily. According to the brand, it's safe for pretty much any non-porous surface, such as stainless steel, ceramic, and porcelain.
Many Amish households use standard, commercially available detergents like Tide or Gain, as they often shop at the same local supermarkets and bulk stores as non-Amish communities. However, many others prefer to live sustainably and avoid harsh chemicals by using simple, natural, and highly effective DIY detergents.
Murphy Oil Soap can be used to clean and shine stainless steel, especially to cut through built-up grease and remove stubborn fingerprints. However, because it is an oil-based soap, it must be highly diluted and completely buffed off to prevent a sticky, dull residue.
Yes, it is perfectly safe to mix vinegar and Dawn dish soap. There are no hazardous chemical reactions or toxic fumes produced by combining the two.
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.
It is generally not recommended to use standard Method All-Purpose Cleaner on stainless steel. While it can clean the surface, all-purpose cleaners are notorious for leaving pesky streaks and cloudy films. More importantly, some surfaces can be damaged or etched by improper pH levels or fragrance ingredients.
While stainless steel is highly durable, its protective chromium-oxide layer is vulnerable to specific chemicals that can cause pitting, rusting, or general corrosion.
To ensure optimal maintenance of stainless steel, we recommend the use of ethyl alcohol or a solution of water and alcohol. Spraying directly on the surface, followed by drying with a soft cloth, ensures impeccable results. For those who prefer more natural approaches, vinegar and lemon are good alternatives.
Acidic vinegar, particularly when used with baking soda, can wear down the rubber seals on your pipes. It's not just your actual pipes you have to be cautious of when unclogging drains.
Combining baking soda (a base) and vinegar (an acid) creates a fizzing reaction that produces carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate. While the fizz is satisfying, the reaction neutralizes both ingredients, turning the mixture into mostly salt water. To maximize cleaning power, use them separately instead of mixing them together first.
Mixing vinegar, dish soap, and baking soda causes a rapid, neutralizing reaction that generates carbon dioxide gas. This produces a thick, bubbly foam because the dish soap traps the escaping gas. While the fizzing looks powerful, it neutralizes both ingredients and effectively leaves behind salt water.
For a heavily stained oven, a DIY baking soda and vinegar paste is the safest and most effective method. Remove the racks, coat the interior in a paste of 12one-half12 cup baking soda and a few tablespoons of water, let it sit overnight, spray with vinegar, and wipe clean.
Glass is not well-suited for baking soda, due to its abrasive nature. In fact, you might accidentally scratch your mirrors or windows if you attempt to clean them with baking soda. If you're looking for an all-natural cleaner for these surfaces, vinegar is a better bet.
To make stainless steel shine like chrome, you need to remove the microscopic surface scratches that cause a dull or brushed finish. This is achieved by systematically sanding the metal to a smooth finish, buffing it with cutting compounds, and protecting the new mirror-like surface.
Yes, you can absolutely use WD-40 to clean and polish stainless steel. It is a highly effective, inexpensive way to remove stubborn grease, fingerprints, and watermarks while leaving a protective, shiny finish. It even helps prevent future staining and fingerprints.
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.