3 Best Ways to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances to Make them Shine
Whether you’re looking for a natural remedy or the best store-bought product, there are multiple ways to clean stainless steel appliances.
I have stainless appliances, and they have a big impact on how my kitchen looks. When the appliances are clean, my kitchen looks bright and fresh. When they’re dirty, smudged with kid fingerprints and dabs of food, well, my kitchen looks gross.
To keep on top of my appliances, I give them a quick clean with whatever multipurpose cleaning spray I’m using. But, when I want to make them shine, I use one of these three methods.
Top Three Ways to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances
If you want stainless steel appliances that are clean and streak-free, try one of these three cleaners.
Use Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner
As far as store-bought cleaners go, Weiman is hard to beat. It cleans and polishes stainless steel leaving it with a shine.
You can get Weiman in a spray or wipes. Both work well.
To clean your stainless steel with Weiman, spray it on the appliance and wipe it in the direction of the grain using a soft-microfiber cloth. Then use a dry cloth to buff it to a shine.
Clean and Polish with Vinegar and Olive Oil
The best home remedy for cleaning stainless incorporates two pantry staples: white distilled vinegar and olive oil. White distilled vinegar contains acetic acid, which aids in cutting down on grease and grime. It also has some disinfecting properties making it ideal to use as a kitchen cleaner.
For this method, you’ll need white distilled vinegar, water, a spray bottle, olive oil, and two soft cloths.
Here’s what to do:
- Fill your spray bottle with half white distilled vinegar and half water
- Spritz your appliance
- Use a soft cloth and wipe in the direction of the grain until the appliance is clean.
- Pour a small amount of olive oil on your second cloth, wipe in the direction of the grain, and then buff.
Be wary of using too much olive oil, or you’ll leave behind a film on the appliances.
Use Bon Ami Powder Cleanser
Bon Ami powder cleanser is another all-natural cleaning product that works wonders on dirty stainless steel. Even though Bon Ami comes in a powder, it’s nonabrasive and won’t scratch stainless steel or other surfaces.
To use Bon Ami, sprinkle a small amount into a bowl and add enough warm water to create a paste. Then dampen a sponge or soft cloth and dip it into Bon Ami paste.
Clean your stainless using circular motions. Afterward, rinse with a fresh, dampened sponge and buff dry with a soft microfiber cloth.
Tips for Cleaning Your Stainless Steel Appliances
Stainless steel shows fingerprints and dirt more than any other appliance finish. Here are some tips for keeping it looking its best.
- Use soft cleaning cloths – The softer the cloth, the better – the owner of my local appliance store suggests microfiber cloths. She cautioned against using fabric softener when washing stainless steel cleaning cloths.
- Avoid abrasive cleaners – Abrasive cleaners and scrub brushes leave scratches on stainless steel, which become even more noticeable when polished.
- Buff dry to prevent streaks – If you don’t want your appliances to have streaks or water spots, buff them dry.
- Spot clean in between deep cleanings – To keep your appliances looking good for longer, spot clean in between your regular deep cleaning and polishing. You can do this using a damp cloth, gentle multipurpose cleaners, or a little dish soap and water.