Stainless steel is extremely popular in kitchens, but whether it’s on the oven, the fridge, or the appliances, stainless steel is prone to showing marks. So, to restore your kitchen’s sparkling exterior, we are sharing our top stainless-steel cleaning tips with you.
How to Clean Stainless Steel with White Vinegar and Oil
To restore the stainless steel in your kitchen, a combination of white vinegar and oil makes a fantastic solution. Yes, it sounds like a salad dressing, but trust us, white vinegar and oil works wonders on stainless steel.
Start by spraying all stainless-steel appliances liberally with white vinegar and then use a microfibre cloth to wipe everything down. This should help remove all debris from the stainless steel, keeping everything looking shiny and new. To finish off, dip your cloth into a little bit of oil – you don’t need a huge amount as a small bit of oil can go a very long way. Rub the oil cloth over your appliances and there you have it – a shiny new appliance again!
How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances with WD-40
WD-40 is one of the oldest methods used to clean stainless steel, so it’s very likely you’ll have a bottle of it lying around somewhere. To clean the stainless steel in your home with WD-40, simply spray directly onto your appliance or a cloth and wipe away. It really is that simple! What’s more, a bonus of using WD-40 is that it provides an extra layer of protection to help prevent any of those pesky fingerprints from appearing later on.
Don’t Forget: while WD-40 is a fantastic way to shine up stainless steel appliances, it is a petroleum-based product and, therefore, should be used with care on or around any surface where you will be handling food.
How to Use Glass Cleaner to Remove Fingerprints
If you don’t have any of the products above in your cleaning arsenal, glass cleaner is just as effective. Simply spray the cleaner onto a microfibre cloth and wipe over the stainless steel to remove any and all fingerprints. Glass cleaner works a treat and is one of the easiest ways to keep your stainless-steel appliances clean throughout the week.
How to Clean Stainless Steel Sinks with Flour
Now, brace yourself because this tip is going to seem a little bit crazy at first, but trust us when we say that it really does work! Just be sure to restrict this cleaning tip to your kitchen sink, otherwise it could get a little bit messy!
The first thing you do is clean your sink thoroughly to remove any dirt, grease or grime that has built up over time. Next, take the time to thoroughly dry the sink with a dry cloth, and when we say thoroughly dry, we mean thoroughly. Then, once your sink is completely dry, cover it in flour! Use as much flour as you’d like and then take a soft cloth and, in a circular motion, buff the sink until it starts to shine like new. It really is that simple. Yes, it’s an odd tip, but it works exceptionally well.
Clean Stainless Steel with Water and a Cloth
Are you limited for time? You will be surprised just how much a simple microfibre cloth and some water can achieve. So, if you’re too busy or you have guests coming over any minute, a quick wipe down with a damp cloth will do the trick! Just make sure you completely dry the stainless steel to prevent any water spots.
Use Commercial Stainless-Steel Cleaners
While this method is one of the more expensive options on this list, it’s a good alternative if some of the more natural solutions don’t work for you. Many commercial stainless-steel cleaners do a beautiful job of cleaning your appliances as well as removing any scratches. However, it is important to read the manufacturer’s instructions first, just in case your appliance has a special finish that could be easily damaged without the proper use.
How to Clean Stainless Steel Pots and Pans
Something you should never do when cleaning stainless steel is use a wire wool cloth because this will rub off the finish. Instead, soak stainless steel pots and pans in hot water overnight to loosen any burnt-on food. If that doesn’t work effectively, boil half a dishwasher tablet in the dirty pan for half an hour. For a more natural solution, baking soda can also be used to gently remove stains on pots and pans that won’t come off easily.
Determine the Direction of the ‘Grain’
Grain direction is usually associated with wood products, however if you look closely enough, stainless steel also has a grain. This grain will either be running horizontally or vertically. And whichever direction it is running, it is important to clean your stainless steel in the direction of that grain to prevent streak marks.
The Best Cleaning Cloths for Stainless Steel
To shine your stainless-steel appliances on a regular basis, the best cleaning cloths to invest in (as always) are microfibre cloths. These cloths are super-soft and non-abrasive, lasting a very long time. You can simply throw them in the wash and reuse them. It couldn’t be any easier!
Prevention is Better than Cure
Keeping on top of the cleaning in your home is one of the best ways to prevent problems arising. If you can’t keep up with regular cleaning around the home or you simply don’t have the time, why not give us a call? We provide an affordable and high-quality domestic cleaning service that will help keep your home and stainless-steel appliances clean all week long. Call us today to find out how we can help you.