How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances

Although stainless steel appliances have timeless appeal, their name is a bit of a misnomer. While their innate low-maintenance properties mean they do stay pristine for a long time, they’re far from 100% stainless, which actually just refers to their inability to get rust. Instead, they’re rather prone to watermarks and fingerprints.

In this post, Handyman Connection of Boise® discusses how to clean stainless steel appliances and utensils with common household products.

Things You Need

The household products you need to secure include:

Vinegar (put in in a spray bottle for convenience)

Paper towels

Microfiber cloth (alternatively, any soft cloth will do)

Mineral or olive oil

Keep in mind that cleaning stainless steel involves a lot of going back and forth, so it’s a good idea if your equipment is close by. Keep them handy on a countertop next to your work area.

Cleaning Procedure

Using your spray bottle, apply the vinegar to the stainless steel appliance. Spread it liberally throughout the surface of the appliance or utensil. Let it settle for around five minutes. Next, use your paper towel or soft cloth, and wipe the vinegar off.

Keep in mind that you should wipe the vinegar in the direction of the grain; in the case of stainless steel, it goes vertically or horizontally. Just one spray and wipe is usually enough for utensils and small appliances. For larger and more watermarked surfaces, you’ll want to spray and wipe it three times to completely loosen the marks.

Polishing the Steel

For this last part, dip your soft or microfiber cloth in some oil. You don’t have to dip it all the way since you can always do it again. With your oiled-up cloth, wipe the stainless steel surface in the direction of the grain.

Usually, just one wipe of oil is enough to get rid of those unsightly marks. Once you’re satisfied that the stainless steel is completely clean, simply give it a rinse and a clean wipe and you’re done!

At Handyman Connection of Boise, we’ll help you clean larger stainless steel objects with more stubborn marks and stains. Fill out our form, or give us a call at (208) 268-0088 to learn more about our services.