Stainless steel appliances look nice when they’re clean. But when they’re a little stained, spotted or just plain dirty, they don’t look so impressive. Keeping stainless steel clean can be difficult, especially if you have children. Sometimes it seems like you’ve just cleaned your appliances and they’re covered in fingerprints again.
Lucky for you, there are ways to clean your stainless steel appliances and keep them looking great. Most of these tips only require materials you already have at home. Gather a few unusual cleaning products, a microfiber cloth and get to work!
1- Baking Soda
The easiest solution for a dirty stainless steel sink is a box of baking soda. That’s right, you don’t need any special cleaning products. Just sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda in the sink and scrub with a damp sponge (or an old toothbrush). When you’re done scrubbing, rinse it all down the drain and enjoy your sparkling sink.
2- Vinegar and olive oil
The hardest part of maintaining your stainless steel appliances is getting rid of fingerprints and stains. A good way to avoid this problem is to spray your appliances with vinegar and wipe them down with a cloth. Next, pour some olive oil on a clean cloth and rub it in the direction of the grain of the appliance. Finally, polish the appliance with a clean, dry cloth. This will prevent new stains from forming and remove old ones.
3- Traditional cleaner
If you don’t feel like using commercial cleaners for your stainless steel appliances, the old-fashioned cleaner is your best option. Simply put a small amount on a microfiber cloth and rub the appliance in a circular motion. Do this all over the appliance and you’ll have a shiny new appliance in about 10 minutes.
4- WD-40
When you think of WD-40, you probably don’t think of cleaning, right? Well, surprisingly, you can use WD-40 to clean your stainless steel appliances. Spray the product directly onto the surface of the appliance and wipe it off with a paper towel. Work in small sections until you have cleaned your entire appliance.
5- Flour
If you’re going to use flour to clean your stainless steel sink, be sure to start with the sink completely dry. Dust the sink with a thick layer of flour and use a paper towel to buff off the flour, as if you were waxing a car. Continue until your sink begins to shine, then remove the excess flour.
6- Baby Oil
If you have kids, you’re probably used to cleaning their fingerprints off your stainless steel appliances. If you’re tired of this never-ending chore, grab a bottle of baby oil, which you probably have at home if your kids are still young. Start by wiping your appliances with a soft, damp cloth. If your appliances are very dirty, add a little vinegar to the cloth. Put a little baby oil on a clean cloth and wipe it across the grain of the appliance. When it’s all covered, use a dry part of the cloth to polish off the oil. Continue polishing until all the residue is gone.
7- Pledge
You’ve probably used Pledge on various pieces of furniture in your home, but have you ever tried it on your stainless steel appliances? You can spray Pledge directly on the appliance or apply it to a clean cloth, but be sure to use a good amount. Leave it on for a few minutes before using a clean cloth to make circular motions until all the Pledge is removed.
