Hard water may leave cloudy spots. A little bit of dish soap and some water take care of any greasy fingerprints or residue on stainless steel appliances: In a small bowl, mix a few drops of dish soap with warm water. Dip a microfiber cloth into the mixture.
Try cleaning your sink with a paste of baking soda and water. You can then rinse the sink with vinegar, which will bubble and fizz. Vinegar naturally disinfects while helping remove hard water stains from your stainless steel sink. Once your sink is clean and dry, you can easily add an extra shine.
Hard water can leave white, cloudy-looking residue on your stainless-steel pans. To get rid of this chalky buildup, bring a mixture of one part vinegar to three parts water to a boil in the pan. Let it cool, then wash with soap and water.
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)
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.
Try stainless steel polish, whiting, talc, or baking soda. Apply one of these to a slightly damp cloth. Rub in the direction of the finish lines. Most stainless steel sinks have a brushed finish.
Conclusion: Vinegar can indeed damage your stainless steel surfaces if precautions aren't taken during its use.
Use the olive oil and vinegar technique a couple of times a month, or on heavy cleaning days. For everyday maintenance and cleanup use one part white vinegar to one part water in a spray bottle. Spray down your stainless steel surface and wipe off with a dry cloth. Zip zap zip!
The Magic Eraser is great for many surfaces, but it is not recommended for stainless steel 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.
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.
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.
But, diluted vinegar is perfectly safe to use on stainless steel. Most cleaners out there dilute the vinegar with either water or baking soda to make it more friendly to the stainless steel finish.
Baking soda
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.
When a stainless steel sink looks dull, it's often because it's been scrubbed with cleanser that contains chlorine bleach, with a bleach-loaded scrub pad, or — worst of all — fine steel wool that comes pre-loaded with detergent and bleach.
While stainless steel sinks are durable, they do tend to scratch if abrasive cleansers are used. You might notice tiny scratches on an older stainless steel sink if you look closely. Most stainless steel varieties have a grain or pattern to them.
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.
Removal of oxidized stains and even “surface rust” can be done by using a paste made from baking soda and water or a cleaner that contains oxalic acid, such as Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser. If using baking soda and water, use a cloth or soft bristle brush to rub the baking soda paste in the direction of the grain.