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How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances: 10+ DIY Methods

Are you looking for ways how to clean stainless steel appliances in 2023? If yes, stay tuned with us because, in this post, we will discuss how to clean stainless steel appliances and polish stainless steel appliances confidently and easily.

Cleaning stainless steel appliances can be quite inconsistent, and the reason why is because each finishing is different based on the brand or company and the type of steel that was used in the manufacturing procedure.

Some brands or companies use higher quality steel, others use less high quality, and there is this constant debate about the best stainless steel cleaner when you go to the cleaning aisle store. There are a lot of different stainless steel cleaners available, and everyone is the best.

In detail, we will discuss some DIY methods and which cleaners you need to pick for cleaning or polishing your stainless steel equipment.  

Things You Need To Avoid For Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances

Before learning how to clean stainless steel appliances, we should look at things we should avoid using in cleaning the stainless steel appliances.

  • Do not apply direct vinegar to your appliances because of its acidic nature that corrodes the stainless steel. Always dilute it with water and then apply it on the surfaces of appliances. 
  • Bleach, ammonia, scouring powders, and scrubbers are the things that damage the appliances fishing. So, avoid using such abrasive things to save your stainless steel appliances. 
  • Avoid air drying your stainless steel after cleaning them because it may cause spots and streaks and restores the shine. Always take soft microfiber cloth for this purpose.
  •  Always move the microfiber cloth in the direction of the grain. Avoid wiping the surface of stainless steel against the grain to avoid spots. 
  • Avoid using abrasive cleaners, chlorine bleach, chloride, or oven cleaner because these chemicals cause surface pitting. Don’t use cleaners with chlorine because it can strip the chrome oxide barrier from your stainless steel appliances. If you use it accidentally, wash it immediately. 
  • Avoid using scrub brushes or steel wool for cleaning stainless steel as it easily gets scratched from these things. These things left behind tiny particles that, after some time, become rust. 

How To Clean Stainless Steel Appliances?

So here we are going to discuss a DIY method to clean the stainless steel appliances:

  • DIY Method 1: ( Use of Microfiber cloth with hot water)
  • DIY Method 2: (Use white vinegar and alcohol) 
  • DIY Method 3: (Use white vinegar and Olive oil)
  • DIY Method 4: (Use baby oil)
  • DIY Method 5: (Use Club soda)
  • DIY Method 6: (Use Dish soap and Baby oil)
  • DIY Method 7: (Use Lemon and Baking Soda)
  • DIY Method 8: ( Use Olive Oil)

Diy Method 1: ( Use Of Microfiber Cloth With Hot Water)

Things You Need:

  • Microfiber cloth
  • Hot or warm water
  1. If your refrigerator has greasy or dirty areas and many dirty fingerprints splotch on the handle or in different areas, here’s how to clean it.
  2. You need a microfiber cloth. Just dip that cloth in hot water to moisten it and go with the grain, and the fingerprints should be removed. 
  3. If still some of them are left, then you need to apply dish soap on that microfiber cloth and scrub the greasy areas. 
  4. Move the cloth horizontally if the fingerprints are horizontal, and similarly remove the vertical grain by scrubbing in the vertical direction. It will assist you in removing those greasy fingerprints. 

Diy Method 2: (Use White Vinegar And Alcohol)

Things You Need:

  • Spray Bottle
  • White vinegar
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Alcohol
  1. Take a little spray bottle.
  2. Fill the bottle with one part white vinegar and one part water. 
  3. Sprinkle the solution on your stainless steel appliances, such as the refrigerator, down, get your microfiber cloth, and then go with the grain. 
  4. Wipe it down the entire refrigerator, and it will clean the fridge removing all the types of debris.
  5. After you clean your refrigerator, you would also like to polish it afterward to look shiny. 
  6. Take a separate spray bottle and a separate microfiber cloth. Fill the bottle with one part of rubbing alcohol and one part of water. 
  7. Then spray the refrigerator down. 
  8. Take your microfiber cloth and wipe the grain, and it will polish your stainless steel refrigerator.  

Diy Method 3: (Use White Vinegar And Olive Oil)

Things You Need:

  • White vinegar
  • Water
  • Olive oil
  1. In this method, you need white vinegar.
  2. fill it into the spray bottle.
  3. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water to one ratio. 
  4. take one cup of water and half a cup of white vinegar.
  5. Give it a good shake and spray the diluted vinegar on your stainless steel appliances.
  6. Just make use of a microfiber cloth and wipe off the vinegar.  
  7. After you clean, take a small quantity of olive oil on your microfiber cloth. 
  8. Start moving the cloth toward the grain, and your stainless gets squeaky clean and shiny. 

Diy Method 4: (Use Baby Oil)

Things You Need:

  • Microfiber cloth
  • Baby oil
  • Clean paper towel
  1. This is the easiest, simplest to clean your stainless steel. You must take your regular wet microfiber cloth and clean the stainless steel appliance.
  2. Wipe off everything and wait for it to dry.
  3. Now, wipe baby oil on a paper towel on the whole appliance. 
  4. After that, take a clean paper towel and wipe it off. 

DIY Method 5: (Use Club soda)

Things You Need:

  • Spray bottle
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Club soda
  1. Take a spray bottle and fill it up with club soda.
  2. Spray it on your stainless steel appliance.
  3. Take a microfiber cloth and wipe off in the direction of the grain.
  4. Hence your stainless steel looks clean and shiny. 

Diy Method 6: (Use Dish Soap And Baby Oil)

Things You Need:

  • Sponge 
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Dish soap
  • Baby oil
  1. Take dish soap on a sponge and start scrubbing your stainless steel appliances and wipe off with water.
  2. Add a little quality baby oil on a microfiber cloth and flip it off for a shiny look. 

Diy Method 7: (Use Lemon And Baking Soda)

Things You Need:

  • Lemon juice
  • Baking soda
  • Damp microfiber cloth
  1. In this method, just cut the lemon in half and sprinkle it generously with baking soda. 
  2. Now gently squeeze the lemon to release some of the juices.
  3. Start scrubbing the appliance with the lemon, ensuring you get every part of your appliance.
  4. Once you scrub the entire surface, you want to wipe off the excess using a damp cloth.
  5. Then, immediately buff the surface with a dry cloth.
  6. You will be amazed at how shiny and new your stainless steel looks.

DIY Method 8: ( Use Olive Oil)

Things you Need:

  • Olive oil
  • Towel
  1. If you have smudges or fingerprints on your stainless steel, try olive oil to clean them. It is natural and effective.
  2. Just put some drops on a towel.
  3. Buff until clean. 
  4. Wipe the surface again with the dry part of the towel.
  5. It leaves your appliances looking bright and shiny. 

Ways To Clean Stainless Steel Appliances By Using Cleaners 

Be very careful when picking stainless steel cleaners because some contain abrasive chemicals or elements like chlorine or chloride that corrode the stainless steel. So, here I am going to mention some cleaners that are safe to use, along with the procedures for how to use them:

Method No 1: (Use WD-40)

You can use WD-40 for cleaning your stainless steel appliances. It is the oldest method for cleaning stainless steel. It is mainly present in your garages or often where you store your equipment. Remember to use it with great care because it is a petroleum-based product. It will help you eliminate pesky fingerprints and stubborn stains from your stainless steel appliances. 

  1. Spray some WD-40 on a microfiber towel.
  2. Take that towel and start cleaning the stainless steel.
  3. Wipe off the surface. 

Method No 2: (Use Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner And Polish)

Weiman is one of the best and trusted number-one brands. It is cleaner and polished flight fingerprints better, so one of the problems sometimes with certain stainless steel appliances is that you get fingerprints on them, and this product leaves things clean. This product removes those pesky fingerprints and smudges and leaves a polished shiny coating that gives the stainless steel a brilliant streak-free shine.

All you have to do is spray on the stainless steel appliances and wipe them down with the help of a microfiber towel. 

Method No 3: (Use Therapy Premium Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish)

The Therapy Premium Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish comprises natural ingredients, including 100 percent coconut oil. This natural cleaner can remove 100 percent of all the smudges and stains or fingerprints from stainless steel appliances. It works best for outdoor appliances and steel grills. It has the best fragrance, easy to use, and easy to clean. 

  1. First, you need to shake the bottle.
  2. Spray on the microfiber cloth.
  3. Start rubbing stainless steel.
  4. Wipe off with a dry cloth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

How can I make my stainless steel appliances shine naturally?

Answer: If you are looking for something natural that makes your stainless shine, shiny, and look new, then you need to use olive oil or baby oil. These make your stainless steel shiny and new. All you have to do is take a few drops of olive or baby oil on a sponge or soft microfiber cloth. After that, wipe off all the surfaces. Don’t forget to always buff in the direction of the grain to prevent streaks. 

What is the best cloth to clean stainless steel appliances?

Answer: If you are searching for a cloth to clean your stainless steel appliances, then microfiber towers are ideal. Please don’t use any hard cloth, steel wool, and scrub brushes because they leave behind some scratches on the steel surface. On the other hand, microfiber clothes remove all of the dirt from the steel’s surface and provide a fine finish that makes your stainless steel look brand-new.

How do you get grease off of stainless steel?

Answer: To remove all the grease from the stainless steel, prepare a solution by mixing dish soap in warm water. When the solution becomes bubbly, dip in the solution with a non-abrasive microfiber towel or sponge. Now scrub the microfiber cloth in the direction of the grain. Now wipe off the surface with plain water and dry it with a dry cloth.

Does vinegar damage stainless steel?

Answer: Some appliances, such as coffee makers, toasters, and benders, are safe to apply vinegar to clean them. But some of the low-quality steels are corroded when applying vinegar. So, it will be better if you first dilute vinegar by adding some water and then apply it on the surface of the stainless steel. 

Final Verdict

To sum up, this article helps out how you can clean stainless steel appliances by using some DIY methods and cleaners. Please consider this valuable info while cleaning your stainless steel appliances. Still, if you need clarification about cleaning procedures, just let us know in the comments below.  

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