Cleaning Stainless Steel: The Do’s and Don’ts

There is something special about having brand-new, shiny, stainless steel appliances gracing your kitchen. However, in a busy household, before long you will likely notice fingerprints and water spots on your stainless steel Bronx NY. It won’t take you long to figure out that regular cleaning products just don’t do justice in polishing stainless steel. Here are a few different ways that you can keep your stainless steel looking like new, as well as some things you should never do.

Stainless Steel Don’ts

Never use anything abrasive on stainless steel, such as steel wool or scrubbing pads. No chlorine-based cleanser or chloride-containing formulation should come near it. Never try using an oven cleaner, out of curiosity. If your tap water has a lot of minerals in it, it may possibly leave stains or spots.

Cleaning Technique

When you wipe down your stainless steel, it is very important to only move your cloth in one direction and always go with the grain. Otherwise, no matter what cleanser you use, it will end up looking streaky. A dry, microfiber cloth works best, but paper towels can also be used if you prefer.

Using Vinegar and Olive Oil

To begin, fill a spray bottle with white vinegar. Next, use it to spray down your stainless-steel appliance. Take your microfiber cloth and wipe it clean. Now, dab your cloth in a small amount of olive oil. Following the grain, use it to wipe a thin layer across the metal. The olive oil will give your appliance a deep shine, and remove any streaks or marks that were left behind by the vinegar.

If you prefer, there are ready-made stainless steel wipes on the market that you may want to try, but they come with a moderately high price tag. Keep in mind that there are different types of stainless steel, and what works well for one of your appliances may not work best for the other.