Hard water can leave streaks and stains on stainless steel. To prevent this, be sure to dry the appliances' surfaces thoroughly using a soft towel after washing. Remove hard water stains with a damp cloth and a little white vinegar.
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.
Rub cloudy spots with a dampened sponge sprinkled with baking soda. Then rinse the pot clean with water and towel it dry. Let the cookware completely cool down before putting it in the sink.
Polishing With Olive Oil And Flour
Apply the mixture to the surface of your stainless steel appliance or fixture using circular motions until you get an even coat over the entire area. Let it sit for several minutes before buffing off with a clean cloth or sponge until you achieve your desired level of shine.
Stainless steel is easily scratched and using abrasive cleaning products will harm and dull the finish. Steel wool and scrub brushes can also leave behind tiny particles that may later rust.
Distilled white vinegar (in a spray bottle) Olive oil. Microfiber cloths that are gentle on stainless steel (never an abrasive like a Scotch-Brite pad)
To easily clean off grease and food splatters from your stainless steel appliances, use a mixture of Dawn® Platinum and water, then rinse off and wipe dry.
Dish soap: The surfactants in dish soap lift oil and grease, making it ideal for cleaning stainless steel. We used Dawn Ultra and Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Dish Soap. Warm water: A small bowl of warm water—or a sink nearby—works.
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.
It could be stainless steel and abrasive residue created from polishing. Method for Removal: Hand wiping with alkaline cleaners, followed by hot water rinsing. May require multiple applications until wipe testing results are satisfactory.
Conclusion: Vinegar can indeed damage your stainless steel surfaces if precautions aren't taken during its use.
If you have rust on your flatware, place a rag into some regular vinegar and rub the spots vigorously until the spots have disappeared, then put some olive oil on another clean rag and rub it gently into your stainless steel flatware.
On most stainless steel appliances, the material's finish is very easy to scratch. Tools and cleansers with an abrasive effect should always be avoided. This includes steel wool, bleach, scouring powders, ammonia, oven cleaner, and bleach.
Stainless steel is prone to tarnishing and water marks, so polish your steel items regularly to restore its shine. You can polish the surface of stainless steel using water, non-toxic cleaners like vinegar or olive oil, or a specialized steel cleaner.
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.
BKF cleans and polishes most hard, nonporous surfaces. However, never use BKF on the following: cast iron, granite, marble, wood, fabric, leather, or painted surfaces. Although many of our fans have used BKF on mirrors, gold, and silver (sterling silver is OK), we advise against it.
The Magic Eraser is great for many surfaces, but it is not recommended for stainless steel appliances.
While resistant to the effects of saltwater, environmental fallout, and UV damage, stainless steel will eventually succumb and start to oxidize. The material will start to look hazy, maybe even slightly brown from a light dusting or rust.