How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances – House Cleaning Tips

When it comes to house cleaning, one of those areas that most people avoid is cleaning their stainless steel appliances. Stainless steel is one of the most popular finishes for appliances today, but it can be a tricky surface to deal with for many people. Stainless steel has to be cleaned in a very specific manner to keep it looking amazing. Cleaning your stainless steel wrong can be just as bad if not worse than not cleaning it at all. The good news is that there’s isn’t too big of a learning curve when it comes to adding cleaning your stainless steel items to your house cleaning list.

Stainless Steel Issues

One of the biggest downsides to stainless steel is how easy it gets dirty. You’ll notice smudges, streaks, and water spots that happen from everyday life. At some times, it can seem as though your appliances are attracting dirt to them. You’ll find that regular cleaning your appliances following these tips will help.

Supplies You’ll Need

• Several Soft Cloths
• Warm Water
• Baking Soda

Your Choice of Cleaner:

There are a few choices of cleaners that you can use, and depending on the surface you’re cleaning, you may need to use more than one.

• Stainless Steel Cleaner
• Mild Dish Detergent
• DIY Cleaning Agent
• Glass Cleaner
• Baking Soda

DIY Cleaning Supplies

House cleaning often requires cleaning supplies, and for some people, they prefer using something more natural. You can even make your own stainless steel cleaning product. There are several recipes online that you can check out to see which one works best for you. One thing to keep in mind is that you should follow the instructions in your appliance’s manual and do a spot test on an area that isn’t really visible to make sure it cleans okay without discoloration.

Step One: General Wipe Down

You’ll want to start by mixing some warm water with a mild dish detergent. Take one of your soft cloths, and dip it into the water. You’ll want to wipe the stainless steel surface gently. Rinse the cloth and continue wiping it down. As you go along, you’ll want to use another soft cloth to dry it as you go along. This action will help to prevent water spots from forming where you’ve cleaned.

Step Two: Fingerprints

You’ll want to use a glass cleaner on one of your soft cloths to wipe these fingerprints away. Be sure to spray the cleaner on your cloth before wiping rather than using the glass cleaner directly on the surface. This action can help with streaking and keep the finish nice.

Step Three: Baked on Mess

There’s a good chance that your oven may have some baked on mess that will be a bit harder to wipe away with just water and a dish detergent. To remove this grease or baked on food, you’ll want to create a paste using warm water and baking soda. Once your paste is mixed up, you’ll want to apply it to your cloth and then apply it to the baked on mess. Gently rub the paste in. Then, you’ll want to wet another soft cloth and wipe away the paste, and hopefully, the baked on mess. After this is accomplished, go back over the surface with a soft dry cloth to get any excess water to prevent any water drops.

Step Four: Scratches and Stains

Finally, with your stainless steel, you’ll want to address any scratches or stains on the surface with stainless steel cleaner. Be sure to read the directions for the particular brand of stainless steel cleaner that you buy. Generally, you’ll start by applying the stainless steel cleaner to a soft cloth before applying it to the area that needs to be cleaned. Then, you’ll wipe this cleaner off with a clean damp cloth. Finally, you’ll want to dry it with another clean, soft cloth to prevent any further streaks, smudges or water spots.

Stainless Steel Don’ts

There are a few things that you don’t want to use on your stainless steel. Anything harsh that can scratch the surface should be avoided when you’re cleaning or doing any other activities. You’ll want to avoid things like scouring powders, bleach, ammonia, or steel wool. Some models cannot have glass cleaner or similar items used on them to prevent problems with the finish. You may even find that some models are specific on what types of cleaners you can use on the floor as the fumes from some cleaners can also hurt the finish.

Need Help?

There are only so many hours in a day. Sometimes, you may need help in keeping up with your house cleaning efforts. Are you considering a house cleaning company to help you with these tasks that you just don’t have time for or can’t get excited about? Euro-Maids can help you! Contact us today to learn more about our cleaning options for your home. There’s nothing wrong with getting some assistance to help you with your house cleaning chores.