10 Surprising Ways to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances

Perhaps best known for its capacity to resist rust and corrosion, stainless steel is a popular choice in bathrooms and kitchens. But if you own stainless steel appliances, then you probably know that they are hardly ever stain-free. Fingerprints and water stains tend to decorate the surfaces of dishwashers, refrigerators, and ovens.

This dust, dirt, and grime may put stainless steel appliances at risk for rusting. Harsh chemical cleaning products, often with equally harsh price tags, promise to return them to their original showroom beauty but don’t always live up to the hype.

Stainless steel appliances are durable and easy to maintain, but they do require regular cleaning. The key to keeping stainless steel “stainless” is proper maintenance and care. Learn the basics about cleaning and supplies to keep your home smudge-free.

Before You Start: General Tips for Cleaning Stainless Steel

First, understand the direction of the grain. Just like wood and some fabrics, steel has a grain. These are the faint striations that you can see on the surfaces of your appliances. An entire sheet of steel will have the same directional grain. Appliances usually have other steel pieces attached, such as knobs and handles. Keep in mind that these other pieces may have a different direction grain.

You won’t ruin your appliance if you don’t clean with the grain. In fact, nothing dramatic will happen. However, if you wipe against the grain, more cleaning residue may get deeper into the tiny crevices of the grain. So, for optimum shine, clean with the grain.

Next, gather your supplies. Use two non-abrasive cleaning rags, preferably 100% cotton because they leave almost no residual lint. You can use paper towels, but they will leave some lint behind.

Microfiber cleaning cloths are excellent for polishing stainless steel because they do an exceptional job of absorbing all the water without scratching the surface. You can buy special polishing cloths that are finer than normal microfiber to give your appliances a final polish. By following the direction of the polish lines, you can attain impressive results. The majority of smudges will likely vanish without the need for special supplies or chemicals.

The Best Way to Clean Stainless Steel and Our Top 10 List

The guaranteed method is to use a specially designed cleaning product, and we have included this in our list, but it’s often the most expensive.

The truth is, keeping your stainless steel appliances clean is easy to do, and you don’t need expensive products. Start with the basics and work your way up from there as needed. Find what works for you in this list of 10 ways to clean your stainless steel appliance for a flawless finish.

1. Dish Soap and Baby or Mineral Oil

Plain dish soap is amazing for cleaning grime and excess oils from stainless steel, as well as simplifies the polishing process. Put just a little bit on your rag and moisten with a modest amount of water (just enough to dampen your cloth).

Wipe along the grain of your appliance. For extra stubborn fingerprints, you might have to go over the area a few times. When you finish cleaning an area, dry any water streaks with a clean towel.

Once the appliance surface is dry, it’s time to polish. Dab a small amount of mineral or baby oil onto your second rag. A couple of tiny drops will suffice. Just like with the dish soap step, follow the grain of your steel, moving in either direction. Toss your rags in the washer and save for next time.

2. White Vinegar and Olive Oil

Apply white vinegar directly to a microfiber cloth, or spray directly onto your surface. Let it sit for just a moment before wiping the surface clean in the direction of the grain. Apply the vinegar as many times as necessary to remove any grime.

Next, dab a clean towel into some olive oil and polish the freshly cleaned surface in the direction of the grain. If any extra olive oil residue remains, wipe it away with a clean cloth. This method works well because the vinegar gets rid of all the grime, while the olive oil gives it a fresh, shiny polish.

3. Club Soda

Spray club soda directly onto appliances and then wipe in the direction of the grain. Not only will this help clean fingerprints and food residue from the surface, but it will also give it a nice shine. Wipe clean with a soft microfiber cloth.

4. WD-40

The most surprising way to clean your stainless steel appliance is by using WD-40. You likely already have a bottle lying around. Simply spray some WD-40 directly onto your appliance or onto a rag and then wipe away.

Instantly, the surface of your appliance will be clean and shiny. And as a bonus, WD-40 also provides a layer of protection to help prevent pesky fingerprints from appearing later on.

Note: While this will help you clean your stainless steel appliance, WD-40 is a petroleum-based product and should be used with care on or around any surface where you will be handling food.

5. Lemon Oil Furniture Polish

Apply a bit of furniture polish to a clean towel and rub on your appliance. Once you have it evenly applied, wipe it clean with a different microfiber towel. Avoid applying furniture polish directly to the stainless steel surface—it may not apply evenly, leaving you with more work trying to clean off the excess.

6. Glass Cleaner for Fingerprints

Fingerprints are the chief complaint about stainless steel appliances, especially for parents of little ones. Any common glass cleaner can easily remove them.

Spray the cleaner on a microfiber cloth and apply evenly in a circular motion to remove the fingerprints. Repeat as needed. Be sure to rinse thoroughly and towel dry. Spraying the glass cleaner directly on your appliance’s surface isn’t recommended, because it can cause drip marks and splatter residue that will require more elbow grease.

7. Bon Ami, Flour Sack, and Wax Paper

Dampen a small section of a soft flour sack and sprinkle the moistened area with a non-abrasive powder, such as Bon Ami. Rub it onto your stainless steel in circular strokes, covering the entire surface. Then dampen another small section of your flour sack and wipe the stainless steel surface clean, rubbing in the direction of the grain.

Next, take a clean part of the flour sack and dry the surface. Finally, take a piece of wax paper and rub the waxy side over the whole surface of your appliance.

This method works great when you clean quickly, handling small sections at a time. Remember to clean the inside of the doors that also get covered with grime and fingerprint oils. The wax paper prevents smudges and fingerprints for a little while and helps remove deep-set stains without leaving streaks behind.

8. Flour

In the previous tip, you used the soft sack that your flour comes in, but in this step, you can use the flour itself. This method is usually best for cleaning your kitchen sink or pots and pans to prevent creating a larger mess on your floor.

First, clean the sink thoroughly to remove any dirt, grease, or grime that may be caked on. Then, dry the sink completely—water will glue up the flour.

Once it’s dry, cover the sink in flour. Feel free to use as much flour as you’d like. Finally, take a soft cloth and, in a circular motion, buff until the sink starts to shine like new. It’s that simple.

9. Commercial Stainless Steel Cleaners

If your appliance is stained or scratched, or just needs a thorough polishing, a commercial cleaner designed for stainless steel is another option available to you, but also likely to be the most expensive.

Many of these cleaners and polishers can minimize scratching and often will remove stains. They can also polish surfaces to a beautiful, long-lasting shine. Make sure to read the directions on the cleaner and test in an inconspicuous spot before covering the entire surface of your appliance with it.

Rinse thoroughly and towel dry.

10. Water and a Cloth

You’d be surprised how much routine cleaning you can accomplish with just warm water and a lint-free cloth. This is the least risky option for cleaning stainless steel. Plain water works to clean the majority of appliance smudges and stains. Dry with a towel or cloth to prevent water spots, which can leave mineral deposits on stainless steel.

Nearly everyone has plenty of stainless steel to care for in their kitchen, from appliances both large and small, to cookware and sinks. With just a little bit of elbow grease and one of the techniques listed above, your stainless steel appliances will stay looking marvelous for a long time.