Properly maintained and clean stainless steel adds elegance and sophistication to any kitchen. However, if you don’t know how to clean stainless steel appliances or clean them often enough, you could be left with a room full of dull, grey appliances. You can maintain that brilliant stainless shine—as long as you know how to clean stainless steel like a pro! All you need to remember is a few simple do’s and don’ts to get back that shine without damaging your surfaces.

Stainless steel presents more of a challenge than other finishes because it shows fingerprints and streaks easily. There are also different types of stainless steel, so expect to experiment before you find what works best for your appliance. If you have several stainless steel appliances, you may find that each one requires a slightly different cleaning routine.

10 Tips for Cleaning Stainless Steel Like a Pro

Before you check out how to get streaks off stainless steel and other must-knows, check out the manufacturer’s instructions. Those instructions are the best way to clean stainless steel. They typically include not only what to use but also what not to 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 10 field-tested tips that apply to most stainless steel finishes.

1. A soft cloth dampened with warm water will often be enough for general cleaning.
2. Glass cleaner is good for getting rid of fingerprints.
3. Wipe in the grain’s direction to avoid leaving streaks.
4. Towel dry after cleaning to prevent water spots.
5. Use a commercial cleaner to remove stains on stainless steel if needed, but always read the directions and spot-test first.

You may consider using other methods to tackle grime lurking on your stainless steel. Don’t be tempted!

1. Stay away from steel wool and brushes. They will scratch the surface of your stainless steel and make it more susceptible to rusting and staining.
2. Abrasive cleaners will scratch the surface and dull the finish.
3. Bleach and cleaners with chlorine will stain and damage stainless steel.
4. Don’t leave dirty water and cleaning solution residues to dry on your stainless steel; it will create a dull finish and could leave permanent stains.
5. Some tap water can be harsh and leave spots or stains. Use distilled or filtered water instead.

The Maids has cleaned tens of thousands of homes across North America, so we know a thing or two about how to clean stainless steel and kitchens. Follow the pro tips above for general cleaning and when you need more firepower, turn to safe, natural stainless steel cleaning ingredients.

Cleaning Stainless Steel Naturally

The latest and greatest commercial cleaner may not be the best stainless steel cleaner — or the safest. There are plenty of ways to clean stainless steel without using potentially harmful commercial cleaners! Try these DIY cleaners on your appliances and see for yourself — just remember to spot-test any stainless steel cleaner before using it.

Dish Soap and Baby Oil

Here’s what you’ll need: dish soap, baby oil, warm water, and three microfiber cloths.

Dilute one teaspoon of dish liquid in one quart of warm water. Dampen your microfiber cloth with the solution and clean with the grain. Mix one teaspoon of dish liquid with one quart of water. Dampen a clean microfiber towel with clean, warm water and wipe away the residue. Let the finish dry and work in the baby oil, going with the grain.

Vinegar and Olive Oil

Here’s what you’ll need: distilled white vinegar, olive oil, and two microfiber cloths.

Look closely at your stainless steel and find the grain. Dampen your microfiber cloth with vinegar and rub with the grain to remove dirt, grease, and grime. Let the vinegar dry and dampen the other microfiber cloth with olive oil. Work the oil by rubbing with the grain. This simple procedure will clean, protect and shine your stainless steel quickly and easily.

Proper care and maintenance will help you clean your stainless steel appliances and avoid permanent damage and corrosion. With just a little effort, you can keep your appliances looking shiny and new more often.

How to Keep Stainless Steel Clean and Shiny

Who knew learning how to clean stainless steel would be this easy? But like every cleaning task, that clean never lasts. Not even our one-time deep cleanings last forever!

Adding stainless steel cleaning to your regular housekeeping routines is a good start. You can also use quick and easy methods to keep your appliances cleaner longer.  Although many commercial products exist specifically for this purpose, we recommend trying out a natural combination first. These are a few of our favorite techniques:

Club Soda

This one is as easy as they come. Simply spray your appliance with a bottle filled with fresh club soda. To clean the blotches and stains, wipe the appliance completely dry with a microfiber cloth. Make sure to wipe in the direction of the grain.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural all-purpose cleaner with just enough abrasiveness for safely removing buildup. Mix baking soda and enough water to make a firm paste, then rub the cleaner into the stain gently with a microfiber cloth. As always, be sure to rub with the grain to prevent damage. Wipe away the buildup and residue with a damp cloth.

Lemon Oil

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

If you want to make cleaning stainless steel appliances even more manageable, adopt the “clean as you go” routine. Sure, you could catch up on the grease and grime on the weekends—or you could clean your appliances while you cook. While you’re stirring whatever’s on the stove, wipe things down while you’re there. Pulling something out of the fridge? Bring a damp cloth along for a quick wipe down.

When you need to know how to clean stainless steel, and just about everything else in your home, count on The Maids. Tackle the work yourself using our handy housekeeping guides or check out our popular residential cleaning services. Get a free online estimate and find out what we can do for your home. Keep that stainless steel shining and when you need us, we’re right around the corner!