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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Adding salt to cold water
Adding salt to cold water in stainless steel pots can cause pitting corrosion, creating small, irreversible pits on the surface. Always wait for the water to boil before adding salt to prevent this type of damage.
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.
Stainless steel offers strong resistance to weak bases in both high concentrations and high-temperature environments. However, stronger bases will cause cracking or etching corrosion. Particular care must be taken with chloride solutions such as sodium hypochlorite.
As with any chlorinated product, bleach can damage stainless steel through a reaction known as "pitting corrosion": in the event of contact, small holes will rapidly form that will make your utensil unusable.
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.
Hydrochloric and sulphuric acids at some concentrations are particularly aggressive towards stainless steel. General corrosion can be quite destructive and happen to the entire surface at once.
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.
With BKF Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish, you can remove oily fingerprints, grime, and food debris without damaging the protective coating on your stainless steel appliances.
Perfect for disinfecting and whitening, terrible for shiny metals. Any form of chlorine or bleach can corrode the metal and make it degrade faster. When you think you're doing your stainless steel a favor by disinfecting it with bleach, you're actually destroying it.
Avoid using your stainless steel cookware on the grill. While cast-iron skillets can often withstand the heat of a grill, stainless steel cookware really can't, and may be warped or damaged by the high heat. Refrain from using cooking sprays with your stainless steel cookware.
Easy Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner Can Damage Stainless Steel Surfaces. Easy Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner, in the yellow can, says it is safe for stainless steel surfaces, but several people have experienced damage when they used it. You can read their stories, and see pictures of the damage here.
A Damp Cloth
In most cases, wiping down your stainless steel with a clean cloth or microfiber towel dipped in hot water does the trick. Just like wood, stainless steel has a grain. Determine the striations on the surface of your appliance and wipe in that direction, beginning at the top and working your way down.
It doesn't all wash off. In fact, it leaves toxic chemical residues behind on your dishes and glasses that pose significant health hazards over the long-term.
Is Bar Keepers Friend just baking soda? Despite its similar appearance, Bar Keepers Friend is not the same as baking soda. Bark Keepers Friend is made from oxalic acid, a powerful cleaning chemical that can break down hard-to-move marks, grime, and dirt with ease.
Don't leave it on too long.
Instructions state that Bar Keepers Friend should be thoroughly rinsed from the surface you're cleaning after one minute. Leaving the product on too long can cause discoloration on some surfaces, so don't take a chance with this one.
Mixing Bar Keepers Friend with a bit of dish soap works wonders and has the perfect amount of suds and scrubbing power! Just don't ever mix with other cleaners (especially bleach).