How to Clean
Stainless Steel Appliances

Properly maintained and clean stainless steel appliances add elegance and sophistication to any kitchen. However, your kitchen will look dull and gray if you don’t know how to clean stainless steel appliances correctly. Stainless steel shows more dirt and smudges than other finishes, partly because of the smooth surface. Fingerprints and food stains stand out like sore thumbs! 

You may have to clean stainless steel more often to maintain a polished finish, but the process is quick and straightforward. We’ll start with proven tips for cleaning stainless steel safely. Then, we’ll move on to a few natural DIY stainless steel cleaners. Finally, we’ll wrap up with pro tips for maintaining the shine of your stainless steel. When we’re finished, you’ll know how to clean stainless steel appliances and keep them that way. 

Field-tested Tips for Stainless Steel Appliance Cleaning

Before you learn how to get streaks off stainless steel and other must-knows, review the manufacturer’s instructions. Those instructions tell you what to use and not use on your particular appliance. 

But what do you do if you don’t have your appliance’s paperwork or manual? You let The Maids® guide the way while you learn how to clean stainless steel appliances. Here are a few cleaning and maintenance tips for most stainless steel finishes.

• A soft cloth dampened with warm water is often enough for spot cleaning.
• Glass cleaner is a quick solution for removing fingerprints.
• Bleach and cleaners with chlorine stain stainless steel finishes.
• Distilled water should be used for stainless steel appliance cleaning when possible.
• Steel wool and brushes scratch stainless steel, which leads to rust and stains.
• Abrasive cleaners will scratch and dull the finish.
• Microfiber cloths are ideal when cleaning or polishing for a consistent finish.
• A bath towel should be used to dry stainless steel appliances after cleaning to prevent water spots.
• Always clean stainless steel finishes by wiping with the grain to avoid streaks. 

The Maids has cleaned tens of thousands of homes across North America, so we know a thing or two about stainless steel appliance cleaning and kitchen cleaning. Follow the pro tips above for routine cleaning, and turn to safe, natural cleaning ingredients for deep cleaning.

Natural DIY Stainless Steel Cleaners

Because The Maids is one of the only residential cleaning services to clean for health, we always recommend eco-friendly cleaning alternatives. There are many eco-friendly alternatives to potentially harmful commercial cleaners for stainless steel cleaning. Use these DIY stainless steel cleaners for a healthier, less expensive solution to help your stainless steel shine bright. 

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural whitener, deodorizer, and cleaner with enough abrasiveness to safely remove buildup. Mix baking soda and enough water to make a thick paste, then rub it into the stain with a microfiber cloth. Rub with the grain, then wipe off the dirt and baking soda residue with a damp cloth.

Dish Soap And Baby Oil

Mix one teaspoon of dish liquid with one quart of water. Dampen a microfiber cloth with the solution to clean the stainless steel from the top down. Dampen a clean microfiber towel with warm water and wipe away the residue. Let the finish dry and rub in the baby oil, going with the grain for a brilliant finish.

Vinegar And Olive Oil

Dampen a microfiber cloth with distilled white vinegar to remove dirt, grease, and grime. Let the vinegar dry, then dampen another microfiber cloth with olive oil. Rub the oil into the stainless steel by rubbing with the grain. This DIY cleaning combo will clean, protect, and shine stainless steel quickly and easily.

How to Shine Stainless Steel Appliances Between Cleanings

Stainless steel presents more of a challenge than other finishes because it quickly shows fingerprints and streaks. Different types of stainless steel exist, so expect to experiment before you find what works best for your appliance. Here are two of our favorite safe and natural stainless steel cleaners:

Club Soda

This one is as easy as they come. Fill a spray bottle with club soda and spray the solution on the stainless steel. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe off dirt, fingerprints, and stains, then dry the surface with another cloth. 

Lemon Oil

When you want to know how to polish stainless steel appliances and enjoy the crisp, clean aroma of lemons, you can’t beat lemon oil. Use a microfiber cloth dampened with lemon oil to polish the stainless, going with the grain. Buff off the excess oil with a dry cloth and enjoy your showroom finish.

To make cleaning stainless steel appliances even more manageable, adopt the “clean as you go” routine. You could do the stainless steel appliance cleaning on the weekends or clean your appliances while you cook. While you’re preparing a meal, wipe down your stainless steel appliances. Pulling something out of the fridge? Bring a damp cloth along for a quick wipe–down.

The Maids: Your Partner for Bringing Back the Shine

When you need to know how to clean stainless steel appliances and almost everything else in your home, count on The Maids. Whether you use our handy housekeeping guides or invest in our popular residential cleaning services, we make housekeeping easier. Get a free cleaning quote today, and discover how you can enjoy a clean home more often—without the work.