How to Clean Stainless Steel Kitchen Surfaces
Protect this popular and hard-wearing kitchen material with a consistent but gentle cleaning routine
Designers have often debated whether or not stainless steel will continue to reign supreme in kitchens or lose its appeal to glossy black or white appliances boasting sleek, smooth finishes.
While the debate continues, so does the popularity of stainless steel appliances, fittings and sometimes even benchtops. Whether you have a little or a lot of the shiny stuff, here’s what experts suggest you do about those fingerprints, and how to care for and clean one of the hardest-working surfaces in the house.
While the debate continues, so does the popularity of stainless steel appliances, fittings and sometimes even benchtops. Whether you have a little or a lot of the shiny stuff, here’s what experts suggest you do about those fingerprints, and how to care for and clean one of the hardest-working surfaces in the house.
Safety first
For safe care and cleaning, start with the right tools. The European Stainless Steel Development Association, or ESDA, suggests using soft sponges and microfibre cloths as the first line of defence.
Don’t clean with steel scouring pads, which can scratch. Instead, choose plastic scrubbing pads for tough jobs.
For safe care and cleaning, start with the right tools. The European Stainless Steel Development Association, or ESDA, suggests using soft sponges and microfibre cloths as the first line of defence.
Don’t clean with steel scouring pads, which can scratch. Instead, choose plastic scrubbing pads for tough jobs.
Go with the grain
On stainless steel surfaces with brushed or polished finishes, always wipe and scrub in the same direction as the ‘grain’ lines in the metal.
Need the help of a professional cleaner? Find one near you on Houzz
On stainless steel surfaces with brushed or polished finishes, always wipe and scrub in the same direction as the ‘grain’ lines in the metal.
Need the help of a professional cleaner? Find one near you on Houzz
Better with age
The ESDA says in addition to the availability of an increasing number of fingerprint-proof finishes, regular stainless steel shows fewer fingerprints over time. Patience is a virtue.
The ESDA says in addition to the availability of an increasing number of fingerprint-proof finishes, regular stainless steel shows fewer fingerprints over time. Patience is a virtue.
Stainless solutions
Whatever products you use to clean stainless steel appliances, the key is sticking to it, says Mindi DiNunno, owner of Polished 2 Perfection. “Stay consistent,” she says. “Most cleansers don’t blend together well, and it makes it much harder to keep perfect. For appliances, we use CLR [a stainless steel cleaner]. It will clean off any hard-water stains from the water and ice dispenser and any drips or food.”
Like other experts, DiNunno also recommends wiping and scrubbing with the grain.
Whatever products you use to clean stainless steel appliances, the key is sticking to it, says Mindi DiNunno, owner of Polished 2 Perfection. “Stay consistent,” she says. “Most cleansers don’t blend together well, and it makes it much harder to keep perfect. For appliances, we use CLR [a stainless steel cleaner]. It will clean off any hard-water stains from the water and ice dispenser and any drips or food.”
Like other experts, DiNunno also recommends wiping and scrubbing with the grain.
Because products containing chloride can be harmful to the protective finish on stainless steel, the ESDA advises using the following:
- Diluted vinegar (for cleaning limescale).
- Baking soda (to remove coffee deposits).
- Alcoholic solvents, such as acetone (for removing adhesives).
- Chloride-free glass sprays (especially efficient for polished, mirror-like surfaces).
- Commercially manufactured cleaning pastes and sprays that specify use on stainless steel.
Naturally clean
The sustainable living team at Eartheasy, a USA-based retailer of natural cleaning and lifestyle products, recommends a DIY approach to cleaning stainless steel using items you may already have in your pantry.
First, dampen a cloth with undiluted white vinegar or olive oil and use it to wipe in the direction of the grain.
To clean a stainless steel sink, the team suggests pouring soda water on an absorbent cloth to scrub, then wiping dry.
7 All-Natural Cleaning Products Good Enough to Eat
The sustainable living team at Eartheasy, a USA-based retailer of natural cleaning and lifestyle products, recommends a DIY approach to cleaning stainless steel using items you may already have in your pantry.
First, dampen a cloth with undiluted white vinegar or olive oil and use it to wipe in the direction of the grain.
To clean a stainless steel sink, the team suggests pouring soda water on an absorbent cloth to scrub, then wiping dry.
7 All-Natural Cleaning Products Good Enough to Eat
Shine on
Spray cleansers made specifically for cleaning decorative stainless steel surfaces usually contain silicone oil, and although they will remove fingerprints and smudges, they will not prevent them. The ESDA says the silicone oil can be completely removed by washing with mild soap and water.
Using a polishing paste is another way to keep stainless steel appliances sparkling. Commercially sold pastes, such as 3M Marine Metal Restorer and Polish, will create a microscopic wax layer on the surface that will make it easy to clean. Since the pastes are resistant to detergents, treatment with a polishing paste may last several months. It can be removed using alcohol on a soft cloth.
It’s important to note that pastes and sprays meant for cleaning decorative stainless steel elements – fridge doors or kitchen splashbacks – should not be used on pots, pans or surfaces where food is prepared.
Do not use silver polishes, like the ones used for cleaning jewellery, because they are corrosive to stainless steel.
Spray cleansers made specifically for cleaning decorative stainless steel surfaces usually contain silicone oil, and although they will remove fingerprints and smudges, they will not prevent them. The ESDA says the silicone oil can be completely removed by washing with mild soap and water.
Using a polishing paste is another way to keep stainless steel appliances sparkling. Commercially sold pastes, such as 3M Marine Metal Restorer and Polish, will create a microscopic wax layer on the surface that will make it easy to clean. Since the pastes are resistant to detergents, treatment with a polishing paste may last several months. It can be removed using alcohol on a soft cloth.
It’s important to note that pastes and sprays meant for cleaning decorative stainless steel elements – fridge doors or kitchen splashbacks – should not be used on pots, pans or surfaces where food is prepared.
Do not use silver polishes, like the ones used for cleaning jewellery, because they are corrosive to stainless steel.
Your turn
How do you keep your stainless steel surfaces looking good? Share your tricks in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
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How do you keep your stainless steel surfaces looking good? Share your tricks in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Is your home in need of some TLC? Read up on 5 Pesky Problems Around the House and How to Fix Them
Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean rust and stains can’t happen. The experts at the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers say that if the protective film on stainless surfaces is scratched with a steel pad or wire brush, comes into contact with hard water that is allowed to puddle or sit, or is exposed to chlorides from household cleansers, it becomes vulnerable to damage.