If, like thousands of others, you are a lover of stainless steel in your kitchen then you are aware of the time and elbow grease required to keep it looking its best. To help make stainless steel cleaning chores a little easier, we have gathered some helpful information for you.
A few basics – Never use anything abrasive to clean your stainless (i.e., steel wool or other metal scrubbing pads). Use a soft cloth (microfiber are good) to clean and buff; paper towels will work as well. Avoid any harsh cleaners that can damage the stainless. Read the manufacturer’s instruction to ensure you are following any specific guideline for your appliance brand.
A little training goes a long way – Train yourself and the members of your family to use the handles when opening and closing stainless steel appliance doors. This will limit the amount of fingerprints and smudges on the stainless itself reducing the amount of cleaning required. Wipe off spills or water drops right away to limit water spots. Don’t use tape on your stainless to hold pictures, reminders, etc. This will also help reduce smudges and residue.
The actual cleaning – There are some general household items you can use to get your stainless to shining again.
1) Vinegar (regular vinegar has 5% acidity, cleaning vinegar has 6%) – Pour undiluted vinegar into a spray bottle, mist the stainless, and use a soft cloth or microfiber cloth to wipe down. Buff dry to shine.
2) Oil (mineral, baby oil, or other like olive oil) – Apply oil to a dampened cloth and wipe your stainless following the grain until clean and shiny. Some like to wipe down with vinegar first, then follow with the oil to give the stainless a real sparkling shine.
3) Window cleaner or rubbing alcohol – Spray on or apply to a dry cloth or paper towel and wipe away smudges and fingerprints. If you previously used any stainless steel polishes a couple of applications may be necessary to remove the top polished layer.
4) Commercial stainless steel cleaners – These are a little more costly than using your normal household items, but companies have formulated these specifically to clean stainless. However, some do work better than others, so you might need to try a couple of brands to find the one that works the best for you.
Your stainless steel appliances are a big focal point of your kitchen, but keeping it looking good shouldn’t take hours. Using some of the above suggestions will hopefully get your stainless at its shiny best, and give you time for more enjoyable things.
Have more questions? Call us—we’d love to help! Call the professionals at Go Green Plumbing at 336-252-2999 for service 7 days a week/24 hours a day. If water runs through it – We Do It!
