Want to know how to clean stainless steel appliances? These are the best ways to get them clean AND smudge & streak free!
There are a lot of stainless steel cleaners and DIY cleaning methods out there but they don’t all give the same results. Before our kitchen remodel, I used a spray stainless steel cleaner that did an ok job cleaning but was smelly and left streaks.
When I got my new appliances I really wanted my refrigerator, dishwasher, and range to shine so I put the top methods of cleaning stainless steel appliances to the test. Today I’m sharing which methods worked best! Let’s get cleaning… (post contains affiliate links – full disclosure statement available {here})
Stainless Steel Cleaning Tips
No matter what method you use to clean stainless steel appliances, I have two important tips to help you get the best results. The first is to always clean with the grain of the stainless steel rather than against it or in a circular motion.
Also, don’t just let your stainless steel cleaners air dry, use a microfiber cloth such as {these} (again, with the grain of the metal) to dry and polish your newly cleaned appliances. They do a much better job than paper towels (no lint left behind!) and can be washed and reused.
Now let’s get going with the best methods of cleaning stainless steel appliances:
1. Store Bought Cleaners
I’ve tried several store bought stainless steel cleaners and my favorite is Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish that you can find {here}. It works best when you apply it with a microfiber cloth, spraying it on your appliance and wiping in the direction of the grain. Once you’ve cleaned off all of the streaks, smudges and stains, use a clean microfiber cloth to buff your stainless steel until it shines! Weiman also makes {these stainless steel wipes} which are super convenient.
What if you prefer a natural store bought cleaning product? Try Therapy Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish that you can find {here}. It gets an impressive 90% 4-5 star reviews by over 15k reviewers and is plant-based, solvent-free formula with a coconut oil base.
2. White Vinegar
If you want to use a natural cleaner that you probably already have in your kitchen, give white vinegar a try! Place it in a spray bottle and spray it onto your refrigerator, rub with a microfiber cloth with the grain of the metal, and dry with a clean microfiber cloth. This method required a little more elbow grease for me but it did get the job done!
3. Simple Dish Soap
Want to know how to clean stainless steel appliances in another super simple way? Use a mild dish soap diluted in a bit of water. This method is particularly great for cleaning off any greasy smudges or fingerprints. As with other methods, rinse off any soap residue and dry & polish with a microfiber cloth.
This water-based cleaning method isn’t going to give you the best results if you have hard water since it can leave spots and streaks so use a different method or use distilled water in place of tap water.
4. WD-40
Years ago an appliance repair person told me that they keep WD-40 on hand to clean stainless steel appliances because it does a better job than anything else. Recently I gave it a try and was impressed – it did a nice job and definitely left my stainless steel appliances with a nice shine. The downside is the smell (kinda gross). Also, it’s flammable so you’d definitely want to be careful and not use it around an open flame such as an in-use gas range.
5. Barkeepers Friend & Mineral Oil
The combination of liquid Bar Keepers Friend (you can get it {here}) and mineral oil is the method that works best for me! First use a damp cloth to apply Bar Keepers Friend. You’ll be amazed at the dirt and grime that ends up on your cloth, even if you thought it was clean! And if you have an older appliance with a few rust marks, Bar Keepers Friend works great on those too:
You can also try liquid Soft Scrub (without bleach) in place of liquid Barkeeper’s Friend (I’ve had several people tell me it works great for them).
After you’re done cleaning with Bar Keeper’s Friend, wet the back side of that same cloth and rinse the Bar Keepers Friend off. Then use a dry microfiber cloth to dry your stainless steel and add shine! If you have any streaks, follow up with a light application of olive oil or mineral oil, wiping off any excess:
You can find regular mineral oil at most grocery and drug stores and online {here}. This two-step combination works beautifully and has virtually no odor.
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6. Norwex Cloth
I’ve heard from several of you that you use nothing but a damp Norwex EnviroCloth and it works great! They’re pricey suckers (you can buy them online {here}) but I’m super intrigued to see if they live up to their hype so I ordered one! I’ll follow up after using it, telling you what I think.
What NOT To Use On Your Stainless Steel Appliances
Just as important as knowing how to clean stainless steel appliances is how NOT to since some cleaners can harm stainless steel finishes. For example, Magic Erasers are awesome for cleaning all sorts of things but not stainless steel! They’re similar to very fine sandpaper and can scratch and dull stainless steel surfaces. Any other abrasive pads, abrasive sponges, scouring powders, and steel wool are also on the do-not-use list.
You also shouldn’t use bleach or other chlorine products on your stainless steel appliances (so if you use Soft Scrub, make sure it’s not the type that includes bleach). Also, don’t use ammonia based cleaners, including most glass cleaners such as Windex.
And with that… I’m off to enjoy the rest of our weekend! If you haven’t already seen them, some other favorite cleaning posts that you might enjoy are:
12 Best Deep Cleaning Tools
How to Clean Your Washing Machine
XO,
Anonymous says
I use a soft green soap that i dont know the English name for, but its a very old, basic soft gellike product made from plantoils. And when its clean i take a bit of toiletpaper, with some olive oil and just rub that on a bit, leaving only a light layer. Its spotless and shiny.
Laura says
No matter what I tried, I couldn’t clean the water drips off the my ss dishwasher door. The repair tech applied Turtle wax paste (car wax), rubbed in, let dry, removed with paper towel. AMAZING! Keeps drip proof for a long, long time!
Marilyn says
My brother-in-law – that’s right:) – recommended Pledge (or similar product) to clean stainless steel. Sounded like a slippery mess to me – but tried it and it works great!
Nancy says
Thank you for sharing, I lived in a beachfront apartment on Miami Beach for many years and used WD40 to clean my stainless steel appliances on a friend’s advice. I loved having my sliding doors open during the day and she said the oily residue from the WD40 would protect them. I did try Barkeeper’s Friend to remove scuff marks on my serving dishes but it didn’t work. I noticed the marks after I put them in the dishwasher. I followed the directions but they never came off.
Dian Owens says
Nancy, I too use WD40! I was a little afraid to share this info here, but it is so easy! I can clean and polish the exterior surfaces of my large side by side refrigerator, stove, microwave, dishwasher and the sink in less than 30 minutes. I fold a small single sheet of Bounty paper towel (folded twice). Then I spray the WD40 onto the paper towel at close range to capture all the spray. Wipe with the grain of the stainless steel in long strokes. You may have to rub over a greasy spot or food splatter a few times, but the WD40 dissolves everything I’ve encountered. As the paper towel becomes dirty, re-fold to expose a clean section. Add more WD40, as needed. I go back over all areas with a clean, folded paper towel to remove any excess WD40. The coating resists dust and smudges. My appliances are 3 years old and look better than new after these cleanings. I only do this process three or four times a year. (I’m not a messy cook and don’t open the refrigerator with wet hands.) The sink still has scratches, but it looks way better than before the cleaning.
Kimberley says
I have been using liquid Barkeepers Friend to clean my stainless steel appliances for years. I use 3 microfiber cloths to do it. One to wet my appliances and then “rinse” them with, one to apply the BK Friend and one to dry/buff them with. First, I wet/wipe down the appliance I want to clean, then apply a small amount of BK Friend on the 2nd microfiber cloth, next I use the wet cloth to wipe off of the BK Friend, and then I buff it dry. I find my appliances are then easy to clean for about a month to 6 weeks. When there are drips or fingerprints on them, I simply wet a clean microfiber cloth with hot water, wipe the spot and then buff it dry with a clean cloth. Not sure what the mineral oil would add.
Karen Bunch says
Kris,
I truly appreciate the tip about the cleaning of stainless. Our new house has all stainless and sometimes it’s hard to keep up with it. Our remodeled kitchen in our house of 35 years had wood panels that matched the cabinetry so we didn’t have that issue.
Always like your house tips.
Karen
Janice says
I find that the best, and only way, I can get stainless steel looking like new is with Softscrub. I apply it with a regular sponge with the grain of the stainless steel. I gets off everything, even old drip marks. You just have to wipe/rinse it off really well with the same sponge rinsed out well. If you’re in a hurry, dry it with a clean dish towel or let it air dry and it comes out great. NO streaks and no greasy oil, just a “like new” appliance.
Deb says
Thank you for your comment! I just tried this method to clean my stainless steel after painstakingly “polishing” them for over an hour with less than satisfactory results. Your method of cleaning with softscrub was a lifesaver! Amazing results, so quick, and STREAK (and water drip stain) FREE!! Thank you!!!!
Annemarie says
Thanks for the tips on cleaning stainless steel. I will be trying that one as soon as I pick up the liquid Bar Keepers Friend. In a future post – or even a reply here – would you share how you clean your stove? We just installed a new range with with grates and a black finish. there is very little info in the manual on how to BEST clean those 2 surfaces. I especially struggle with the black stove top being streaky no matter what I use.