Don't Use Harsh or Abrasive Materials
Powder, steel wool, bleach, and ammonia have too many abrasive properties, which can easily scratch or discolor the appliance finish. These cleaning tools should always be avoided when cleaning stainless steel appliances.
Common causes of stainless steel corrosion include chlorides, hydrochloric acids, sulfuric acids, iron or carbon steel contact, and high temperatures.
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.
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.
For best results, use a concentrated dish liquid like Dawn®. Apply a few drops onto the soft side of a damp sponge. Scrunch it a few times to disperse the soap throughout the sponge and to create suds.
Vinegar can indeed damage your stainless steel surfaces if precautions aren't taken during its use. However, by diluting acidic cleaners like vinegar before application and regularly wiping down surfaces afterwards with warm soapy water, you can keep your stainless steel in pristine condition for years to come!
One of the best ways to clean stainless steel is to use a cloth rinsed with warm water and dishwashing liquid. Follow this up with a rinse down with plain warm water. Don't allow the warm water to dry on the surface of the stainless steel. Instead, wipe it off with an absorbent cloth.
You may be tempted to use a paper towel but paper towels may scratch the surface of your stainless steel appliances. A microfiber cloth is softer and will produce a better result.
The passive layer on stainless steel can be attacked by certain chemical species. Chloride ion is the most common of these and is found in everyday materials such as salt and bleach. Harsh pitting corrosion is a localized damage that eats pits into stainless steel.
Use a clean, damp sponge or soft cloth. A mild abrasive cleaner such as *Cameo Stainless Steel Cleaner, or *Soft Scrub (without bleach) can be used, remembering to always wipe with the grain. More stubborn soils can be removed using a damp *Scotch-Brite pad. Be sure to rub evenly with the grain of the stainless steel.
Stainless steel is naturally corrosion-resistant, but it is not immune to rust. While it is less prone to rusting than conventional steels, exposure to damaging chemicals, saline, grease, moisture, or heat for extended periods of time can cause corrosion.
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.
Baking soda is a powerful all-purpose cleaner. Its slight abrasiveness won't harm your stainless steel, but it will help unstick stuck-on stains. Make a thick paste with baking soda and water (here's how), and glop it on tough stains. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then wipe, rinse, and dry.
The presence of sea salt on the surface of stainless steel is the major cause. Sea salt stays “wet” (and corrosive) until a very low relative humidity. Tea staining also occurs in polluted urban environments.
If you're looking for greater natural shine, use olive oil, white vinegar, or a specifically formulated stainless steel cleaner. Always use a gentle microfiber cloth to prevent scuffs, use a light coating of mineral oil to avoid grime, and if any stainless-steel cookware is left in the sink, wash it right away.
Disinfecting wipes can be safely used on many different surfaces in various settings and environments. It's essential to always take a few moments to read the label first and, as mentioned earlier, check the guidelines of certain items you are disinfecting. Safe surfaces for disinfecting wipes include: Stainless steel.
Skip the store-bought products and use distilled white vinegar as a homemade stainless steel cleaner. It's all you need to keep your stainless steel appliances, countertops, and sink looking great.
Add some shine, naturally.
To make the surface of your stainless steel appliance shiny and protect it from fingerprints, add a small drop of olive oil to a cloth and buff it on the surface, working in the direction of the grain, and then wipe away excess with a dry cloth.
Fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and white vinegar. To make the vinegar solution smell better, you can add a few drops of lemon juice. Shake the bottle well and spray the stainless steel surfaces you wish to clean. Wipe your appliances with a soft cloth, being sure to follow the direction of the grain.
To get rid of tougher marks, you can use glass cleaner or stainless steel cleaner as needed. They'll be more effective on fingerprints than just water and dish soap. And they can restore stainless steel's shine.