Stainless steel appliances are extremely popular (and have been for a while) but keeping them clean can be a challenge. From fingerprints to food splatter to grease, stainless steel seems to attract dirt. Looking for advice on keeping your stainless steel appliances clean? Here are some do’s and don’ts from home improvement guru Bob Vila.
What NOT To Do
According to Vila, the first thing to know when cleaning stainless steel appliances, countertops, and sinks is what not to do. He offers these six don’ts:
- Don’t use chlorine bleach or any product containing chloride
- Don’t use oven cleaner
- Don’t use steel wool, steel brushes, or highly abrasive scrubbing pads, all of which can cause scratches and other damage to the surface
- Don’t use abrasive cleaners on brushed stainless steel
- Don’t clean a stainless steel surface unless it is cool to the touch
- Don’t use gritty, dirty, or excessively hard water
What To Do
Now that you have the list of what not to do, here are the tips and tricks Vila offers on what to do when cleaning stainless steel:
- Read your owner’s manual carefully and follow the cleaning and care instructions in it.
- Wipe down appliances with a soapy washcloth every time you do dishes
- Always wipe in the direction of the stainless steel “grain”
- Use a nylon scrubber, mild liquid dish soap, and hot water on baked-on foods
- Remove the most stubborn stains with a baking soda paste (directions on blog post at link below)
- For a homemade stainless steel cleaner you can store, mix cleaning vinegar and essential oils
- Restore shine with a stainless steel polish or food-grade mineral oil or lemon oil
Want Vila’s complete guide to cleaning stainless steel, including homemade cleaning product options and a look at commercial vs. homemade products? Click here for the complete blog post on Vila’s website.
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