HOW TO KEEP STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES LOOKING BRAND NEW
Stainless steel appliances remain the most popular choice, and are currently in 75% of homes in the United States. Known for their durability and aesthetic appeal, they're timeless and make any kitchen appear clean, modern and stylish.
Keeping stainless steel clean, however, is another story! Fingerprints, smudges and water stains all appear more prominently on a stainless steel appliance.
Nevertheless, there are simple and quick ways to keep your stainless steel looking shiny and new, just as the day you moved in or brought it home. Here are some of the best tips for maintaining the cleanliness and glossy look of your stainless steel appliances.
NON-ABRASIVE MATERIALS
To keep your stainless steel in great condition, use gentle cleaning materials and tools. Anything too abrasive, like steel wool or a wire brush, will scratch the surface of your appliance. A soft, lint-free cloth, such as a microfiber cloth, is your best bet.
Cleaning products need to be gentle as well, avoid anything with strong chemicals. There are stainless steel cleaning products formulated specifically for these types of appliances that protect and clean it, but be sure to stay away from anything that has chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach can actually attack the metal surface and cause corrosion. A mix of gentle soap and filtered water is a great place to start.
REMOVE STUCK-ON DEBRIS FIRST
Sticky fingerprints and food debris can become very caked on and make it difficult to clean stainless steel without smearing the mess around even more. Before you start cleaning, take some time to properly remove all the hard or gooey substances so you can get the entire appliance clean and spotless.
Remember to do so gently as to not scratch.
START CLEANING!
When you're ready to clean, grab your microfiber cloth and cleaner of choice and start in small parts, cleaning in a circular motion. Starting small means fewer streaks. Be sure to follow the instructions on the back of the cleaning product exactly to ensure a thorough clean.
Once you've cleaned all the smudges, fingerprints, and anything else from your appliance, dry the wet areas. If the wet areas are not dried, you may be left with unsightly streaks, which is almost as bad as having smudges!
SEAL & POLISH
One of the best parts of stainless steel is its polished, glossy finish. But sometimes after cleaning your stainless steel appliance, it might lack that characteristic shine.
To seal and polish your stainless steel, grab a nontoxic formula made for stainless steel. While some suggest using household products like olive oil, or even Windex, they could damage the surface if you're not careful. Your best bet is to find a polishing product that's made for stainless steel appliances.
STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES: KEEP ON SHINING
Keeping your stainless steel appliances looking like new is possible with a little maintenance and the right products.
Want to how to keep stainless steel in the best shape? Check out our product page to learn more.
