9 ways to clean and polish stainless steel appliances
Stainless steel appliances look fantastic in a modern kitchen. Classic and simple, stainless steel appliances work as well as they look – but how well they look depends on how well you maintain them. While stainless steel is resistant to rust and corrosion, it is not resistant to stains. Despite what the name may say. You can’t polish stainless steel like you would ordinary appliances, and getting a professional cleaner to polish your appliances can be expensive. Forget about it. Here are 10 inexpensive ways to get your stainless steel sparkling clean without spending too much.
Commercial Stainless Steel Cleaners
Because stainless steel is so special, it has its own type of cleaner! While these commercial products tend to be more expensive, they are very effective at removing stains and scratches from your stainless steel surface. Be sure to read the instructions before using the cleaner, then wipe it off and let the unit dry. It should be as shiny as a new penny.
Bon Ami, flour sack and wax paper
While this method requires obscure materials (I know I don’t have a flour sack lying around my house), it does wonders for polishing your stainless steel. First, wet one corner of the flour bag and sprinkle the wet part with Bon Ami. Rub it on the steel in a circular motion, then wet another small part of the bag. Use this second part to rub the Bon Ami in the other direction. Then take some wax paper and rub it all over the steel. Weird, but simple.
Flour
Instead of using the bag, try using what’s in it too! Since flour makes a mess, we recommend only doing this on the sink or on pans that you can clean over the sink. Clean all the dirt off the stainless steel, then cover it with flour – as much as you want. Take a rag and buff the flour away to leave only sparkling stainless steel.
Glass cleaner
This cleaner is really best for fingerprints on the stainless steel surface, it won’t necessarily polish or shine the steel. Spray the glass cleaner all over the surface and use a cloth to wipe the entire surface.
Furniture Polish
If you want a REALLY sparkling surface, furniture polish is the way to go. But don’t apply the product directly to the stainless steel. Put the product on a cloth first and polish the stainless steel until it shines. Bonus points for using a nice fragrance to make your kitchen smell good!
WD-40
There are few things WD-40 can’t fix, and a stained or scratched stainless steel appliance is no different. You can spray WD-40 directly on the surface to shine it up and prevent future fingerprints. However, WD-40 contains petroleum, so be careful with food.
Club Soda
So cheap and so simple. Fill a spray bottle with club soda and spray the entire surface. Wipe on one side in the direction of the grain and the other side against the grain to get a nice shine.
White vinegar and olive oil
An odd combination, but it’s the perfect remedy for a dirty stainless steel appliance. You can apply the vinegar directly to the surface or spray it on, then wipe the dirt off in the direction of the grain. Dab a little olive oil on a cloth and use it to naturally shine the surface.
Dish soap and baby oil or mineral oil
Unsurprisingly, dish soap is great for cleaning dirt and fingerprints from your appliances. Use soapy water to clean the surface, then a dry cloth for streak-free cleaning. To polish, use baby oil or mineral oil, following the grain of the steel for best results.