How to Keep Your Kitchen’s Stainless Steel Spotless
Consider these 6 cleaning tips for maintaining your stainless steel appliances and surfaces
Leslie Reichert
January 10, 2022
Houzz Contributor. Cleaning expert that teaches and encourages people to use greener methods to clean their home. I have books, magazines, and a TV series to show you how to live a cleaner, greener lifestyle. For more cleaning tips go to www.greencleaningcoach.com
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Stainless steel is a beautiful finish, but to keep it looking its best, especially if you have a family of little ones, can be a big job. Here are a few quick cleaning tips to help you keep your stainless steel gleaming.
1. Remove Knobs for a Complete Clean
When cleaning your stainless steel range and oven, remember to remove the control knobs to reach hidden dirt and grime. Just cleaning around knobs can cause a buildup that’s unsanitary and hard to remove.
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When cleaning your stainless steel range and oven, remember to remove the control knobs to reach hidden dirt and grime. Just cleaning around knobs can cause a buildup that’s unsanitary and hard to remove.
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2. Stainless Steel Handles Need Extra Attention
Since the handles on your stainless steel appliances are used the most, they should be wiped down weekly with a damp microfiber cloths. Fine-woven microfiber cloths, such as the ones used for cleaning eyeglasses, can be found at retail chains and grocery stores. They work great to remove dust and don’t leave any streaks or smears. There’s no need for harsh chemicals to clean your stainless steel appliances and surfaces.
Since the handles on your stainless steel appliances are used the most, they should be wiped down weekly with a damp microfiber cloths. Fine-woven microfiber cloths, such as the ones used for cleaning eyeglasses, can be found at retail chains and grocery stores. They work great to remove dust and don’t leave any streaks or smears. There’s no need for harsh chemicals to clean your stainless steel appliances and surfaces.
3. Fight Oxidization
Stainless steel oxidizes over time. To remove this film, you can use pumice powder mixed with water. Pumice powder can be found online and at most hardware stores. Apply this paste following the “grain” of the stainless steel then rinse with warm water. You will be surprised to see how black the cloth is when you finish.
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Stainless steel oxidizes over time. To remove this film, you can use pumice powder mixed with water. Pumice powder can be found online and at most hardware stores. Apply this paste following the “grain” of the stainless steel then rinse with warm water. You will be surprised to see how black the cloth is when you finish.
Shop for a stainless steel range
4. Clean Those Countertops
Stainless steel countertops are the choice of professional kitchens because they are designed to hold up to constant abuse.
To keep them looking clean and shiny, you want to avoid using an abrasive cleanser. Instead, try using just a drop of a gentle dish soap and warm water. This mixture will keep your counters clean and scratch free.
Stainless steel countertops are the choice of professional kitchens because they are designed to hold up to constant abuse.
To keep them looking clean and shiny, you want to avoid using an abrasive cleanser. Instead, try using just a drop of a gentle dish soap and warm water. This mixture will keep your counters clean and scratch free.
5. Give Your Hood a Helping Hand
Stainless steel stove hoods need to be cleaned weekly to prevent a buildup of grease and dust. Cooking grease mixes with dust in the air and lands on the stove hood, making it thick and hard to remove. A simple cleaning remedy is to spray a cloth with rubbing alcohol and wipe it over the top of the hood. Make sure not to use the rubbing alcohol near an open flame.
Stainless steel stove hoods need to be cleaned weekly to prevent a buildup of grease and dust. Cooking grease mixes with dust in the air and lands on the stove hood, making it thick and hard to remove. A simple cleaning remedy is to spray a cloth with rubbing alcohol and wipe it over the top of the hood. Make sure not to use the rubbing alcohol near an open flame.
6. Banish Burn Marks
If you have some burn marks that just won’t come off your stainless steel stove, try this simple DIY recipe:
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If you have some burn marks that just won’t come off your stainless steel stove, try this simple DIY recipe:
- 1 cup baking soda
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons Borax
- Club soda (for rinsing)
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10 Great Backsplashes to Pair With Stainless Steel Counters
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These recommendations are contradictory. They recommend using pumice powder, which is clearly abrasive, then recommend avoiding abrasive cleaning materials on countertops, then recommend an abrasive formula with baking soda and borax.
They are not contradictory as it depends on what you are cleaning. Note that the pumice is not being scrubbed into the stainless steel—it is being applied and then rinsed simply to remove oxidation. As far as the borax, that is being used on the steel tray of the cooktop to remove cooked on grease—you would never use this on other parts of the cooktop or range.
This is the most sensible discussion I have ever seen on cleaning stainless steel. WD 40 or baby oil work best in tests I have done, much better than expensive special cleaners.