How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances
November 5, 2020Stainless steel appliances are a stately choice for kitchens. They also fit in well with a variety of interior design styles. When choosing stainless steel appliances it is important to bear in mind the maintenance and cleaning that is required to keep these items looking fresh and new. Cleaning your stainless steel appliances is easy, but you should be careful to select the proper cleaning products so that damage to the finish does not occur. Here’s how to clean stainless steel appliances:
1. Avoid Harsh Cleaners
When cleaning your stainless steel appliances, it’s important to avoid using harsh cleaners and cleaning tools that could damage the finish, such as steel wool, or scouring pads. Likewise, avoid bleaches and ammonia that can leave spots or stains on the steel finish of the appliance.
You want to make sure any cleaner you use is recommended by the appliance manufacturer. Reading the manual can help you determine what you should use and what to avoid. This is also one of the useful kitchen tool maintenance tips to help your appliances and tools last longer.
Also, hard water from your tap can also leave spots on your appliances after cleaning, so it is a good idea to have your tap water checked. If your water is too harsh, adding an appropriate water softener can be a good move and can also help avoid spotting or damage to appliances and other water fixtures in the home.
2. Use a Soft Cloth and Diluted Mild Dish Detergent
A mild dish detergent, diluted in water, and applied to the stainless steel surfaces of your appliances with a soft cloth is the best way to clean your appliances of any dirt and fingerprints without damaging the surface with scratches or stains.
If the surfaces of your appliances are very dirty or have some sticky spots, you may need to do a few applications to get them cleaned. Even if it takes more than one application, this mild detergent approach is a better option than using harsher cleaning agents on these surfaces.
3. Wipe Again and Dry
Rinse out the cloth you used to wipe down the stainless steel appliance and wipe down the surface again to remove the solution. Once you’re done cleaning, be sure to dry the surface with a soft towel to prevent water spots.
You will want to use something like a microfiber towel, ao that lint or fibers from the fabric aren’t left behind. You can use this microfiber towel to buff out most, if not all, of the smudges or fingerprints that may be left behind after cleaning.
4. Take Care of Remaining Fingerprints
If any fingerprints still remain after wiping down the appliance, you will want to first check the manufacturer’s recommendations to make you can use a glass cleaner on your specific stainless steel appliance.
If so, spray some on a soft cloth and wipe fingerprints away. Avoid using too much cleaning solution, as this will create excess residue that will take more effort to wipe off the surface and may leave spots or streaks behind.
5. Make a Paste for Baked-On Food or Grease
For tougher spots and stains, such as baked-on food or grease, mix warm water and baking soda to make a paste. Use a soft cloth or sponge to rub onto the surface.
This solution will help to more remove these spots without causing damage to the surface of the appliance. Once the baked-on food or grease is removed, wipe the surface down with a clean wet cloth and then dry with a towel.
6. Use a Stainless Steel Cleaner for Scratches or Stains
If there are scratches or stains present, use a stainless steel cleaner approved for use on your appliances to help revitalize your appliance’s surface. Follow the specific directions for the cleaner and apply it to the area and then use a clean damp cloth to rinse and clean any remaining residue from the area. Dry off the surface with a clean, lint-free towel.
There are pros and cons of stainless steel appliances, but being easy to clean is one of the big benefits. These are just a few steps on how to clean stainless steel appliances. Keeping them clean and free of scratches, stains, and dirt requires a few simple steps in your household cleaning regime only requires a few steps and is a simple way to keep your kitchen looking great. It’s easy enough to do touchups and also to include when you are deep cleaning your kitchen.