A Guide on How to Clean Stainless Steel

Stainless steel appliances are a luxurious choice for many homeowners. Their neutral color matches any decor and makes your kitchen more modern and sleek. In addition, these appliances are highly durable and resistant to stains, damage and rust.

With so many benefits, it’s no surprise that homeowners choose stainless steel for their kitchens. However, they can show water spots and streaks, leading many to wonder what the best way to clean stainless steel is. Check out these tips for cleaning stainless steel so it retains its luster and remains pristine.

The Importance of Cleaning Stainless Steal

Many people forget to clean their stainless steel appliances because of the daily rigors of life. Think about it — there’s the typical 9-to-5 workday, so people only have a few hours after work before going to bed and starting the cycle again. That’s why most people clean their stainless steel infrequently. However, cleaning more regularly is crucial to prevent grease, grime and dirt buildup. Other benefits of routinely cleaning and caring for stainless steel include:

• Lowering your energy bills: Dirty appliances require more energy to produce the same results. For example, a refrigerator with dusty and grimy condenser coils can’t efficiently cool your food.
• Improving your health: Food particles and other substances can accumulate in your kitchen, which attracts pests and harbors germs, bacteria and fungi. When you clean your appliances, you remove these substances and reduce your risk of illnesses.
• Maximizing your appliance’s life span: Just as your car needs routine maintenance to keep it going, so do your appliances. Clean appliances don’t have to work so hard to function, and when they are clean, you can more easily spot minor problems. Noticing minor problems sooner allows you to address them before they become significant.

How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances

You can only use specific cleaning products on stainless steel to protect its finish and prevent streaks. Here are the items you’ll need to get started:

• Rubber gloves: Wearing rubber gloves prevents your fingerprints from leaving smudges while you clean.
• Stainless steel cleaner: You can purchase a stainless steel appliance cleaner or make it yourself using a solution of dish soap and warm water. If you purchase one, ensure it’s for appliances.
• Oven cleaner: Various oven cleaners are available, or you can use dish soap.
• Dishwasher cleaner: The easiest way to clean your dishwasher is to run a cycle using a dishwasher cleaner.
• Microfiber cloths: Microfiber cloths are an essential cleaning item everyone should have. They are excellent for cleaning multiple surfaces because they’re nonabrasive.
• Sponge: You can use a nonabrasive sponge to remove stubborn stains.
• Mineral oil: Most store-bought cleaners have polish, but if you make your own, you can use mineral oil to buff your appliances and prevent fingerprints.

Here’s how to clean your stainless steel sinks and appliances.

1. Clean the Surface of Your Appliance

Start by removing anything in your cleaning path, such as magnets or decorative towels. Once the surface is clear, put on the rubber gloves, wet a microfiber cloth with warm water and wipe the appliance’s surface.

While the surface is wet, lightly coat a new microfiber cloth in your store-bought cleaning solution or a mixture of dish soap and warm water. Try not to use too much solution, or it’ll be harder to rinse your appliance, and you might be left with soap or water spots.

You can remove most stains by wiping your appliance with your cleaning solution and microfiber cloth. But, if your appliance has tough stains, you can use your sponge to scrub and remove them.

After you clean your appliance’s surface, rinse it with a wet microfiber cloth until there aren’t any suds. Then, dry your appliance with a microfiber cloth to prevent streaks. You can keep stainless steel shiny by applying a polish or a small amount of mineral oil.

2. Clean the Inside of Your Appliance

Remove everything inside your appliance, such as racks, shelves and drawers. Set them aside in your sink or bathtub. Look for any loose particles and throw them away. When cleaning your fridge, go through your food and remove any out-of-date products or spoiled leftovers.

Use the appropriate cleaner or dish soap mixture and wipe down the inside of your appliance. If you’re cleaning your oven, let the solution sit before rinsing it. You can run your dishwasher on a cycle with a cleaner to clean it instead of wiping it down.

Rinse the inside of your appliance with a wet cloth, then dry it as best you can. Hand wash the racks, drawers and shelves before putting them back.

3. Clean Your Sink

Rinse your sink and remove any food particles or dishes. Then, apply a small amount of dish soap to a sponge and scrub your sink. You can also use a stainless steel sink cleaner and follow the product instructions. Once finished, rinse your sink and dry it with a microfiber cloth. Unlike appliances, you can scrub your sink with a slightly abrasive sponge without affecting its finish.

Tips for Cleaning Your Stainless Steel

After cleaning your stainless steel, you expect it to shine for a month or two before you have to clean it again. Here are some tips to keep your stainless steel looking its best:

• Avoid abrasive chemicals and items: Abrasive items like bleach and wool sponges can scratch or discolor your appliance’s finish.
• Use distilled water: If your home has hard water, it’s best to use distilled water when cleaning your appliances. Hard water is more prone to leaving spots and streaks because of the minerals in it.
• Clean in the direction of the metal’s grain: One of the best ways to get streaks off of stainless steel and prevent them is by wiping in the direction of the metal’s grain instead of in a circular motion.
• Always use a microfiber cloth: Microfiber cloths capture dirt and grime without scratching the surface.
• Spot clean: In between your deep clean, you can spot clean with warm water or a vinegar-free glass cleaner to remove smears and dust.
• Always hand-dry your appliance: Allowing your appliance to air-dry can cause water spots.

Rent Maids Can Keep Your Stainless Steel Appliances Clean

Scrubbing your appliances might not sound like the most fun chore on your to-do list. Generally speaking, if something is a chore, it’s likely essential but unenjoyable. With how busy life gets, it’s easy to tell yourself you’ll tackle that task later, and when later comes, your appliances are still dirty. Luckily, Rent Maids is here to make your life easier.

Rent Maids is a professional cleaning company that provides fast, reliable service. Our goal is to help you keep your house clean so you can come home, relax and spend more time doing what you love with those you love. With only a finite amount of hours in a day, it’s critical to make time for yourself. Contact us today for a free quote! We have the experience to clean and care for your stainless steel so we leave your kitchen shiny and spotless.