Home » Homekeeping Tips»Cleaning Tips

The Best Ways To Clean Stainless Steel Appliances And More

Jill Nystul  ·  Updated on: May 4, 2025
comments icon 82 Comments

Your stainless steel appliances and surfaces will be gleaming with the help of these tips.

PinSave
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
stainless steel

I’ve gotten a lot of requests over the years to write a post about the best way to clean stainless steel appliances, and now that I’ve gotten some experience with keeping stainless steel fridges clean I thought I’d tackle this post at last. Here are three ways to get those stainless steel appliances to shine.

How To Clean Stainless Steel: 4 Easy Options

stainless steel

1. Vinegar

The first method couldn’t be simpler—just fill a spray bottle with distilled white vinegar and spritz it onto the appliance. Wipe gently with a microfiber cloth, moving the cloth in the direction of the grain.

This vinegar method will remove streaks and make the surface nice and shiny. It’s my go-to method for day-to-day cleaning.

stainless steel

2. Bar Keepers Friend

I love Bar Keepers Friend and use it on just about everything. For stainless steel appliances, just sprinkle some Bar Keepers Friend on a wet cloth and wipe it all over. Wipe the surface clean with a clean wet cloth afterward, and be sure not to leave it on too long, as it could lead to discoloration.

This is a great method for deep cleaning stainless steel appliances every once in a while. Since not all stainless steel finishes are created equal, certain finishes may not be ideal candidates for cleaning with Bar Keepers Friend. (Look in your appliance’s user manual for guidance, or perform a spot test in a hidden area.)

Related: 14 Things You Can Clean With Bar Keepers Friend That Will Amaze You

stainless steel

3. Steam

For those tough-to-clean areas of your appliances, such as door handles or any type of hardened mess, try using a handheld steamer to loosen the gunk. Using a steamer will help you avoid scrubbing, which will keep your stainless steel looking good for years to come!

If you don’t have a steamer, wet a kitchen towel with hot water and place it over the mess for a minute or two before cleaning. (Be sure to wear gloves so you don’t scald yourself with the hot towel!)

Steam is one of the best ways to make those grimy spots easier to clean, and you can use a handheld steamer to clean more than just stainless steel.

4. Cream Of Tartar

Add 1 cup of white vinegar and 1/4 cup of cream of tartar to a small bowl and mix well. Dip a sponge into the mixture, scrub your stainless steel, then wipe clean with a damp cloth. Buff with a dry microfiber cloth until it reaches your desired shininess! ;-)

Why I Don’t Recommend Cleaning Stainless Steel With Oil

While some people suggest polishing your stainless steel with a bit of olive oil, I don’t recommend it. It will look nice and shiny immediately after treatment, but the oil will just end up attracting dust, smears, and smudges.

Plus, no one wants greasy hands just from opening and closing their fridge. Overall, it’s just not a great idea!

stainless steel

More Tips For Keeping Stainless Steel Clean

  • Avoid letting any food spills harden—they get harder to remove the longer they sit.
  • While stainless steel is resistant to rust, excess water and water spots should still be wiped away immediately to prevent prolonged contact. If rust does start to form, clean the area with Bar Keepers Friend.
  • Always use a gentle microfiber cloth to prevent scuffs.

Which material or surface do you find trickiest to clean?

More Ideas You'll Love

This homemade citrus degreaser contains lemon oil and castile soap, making it ideal for greasy stovetops.

This Simple Spray Is The Best Cleaner For Greasy Messes

Especially greasy messes can thwart even the most reliable all-purpose cleaners, but they're no match for this degreaser spray! Continue Reading

Read This Next


Jill Nystul Photo

Jill Nystul (aka Jillee)

Jill Nystul is an accomplished writer and author who founded the blog One Good Thing by Jillee in 2011. With over 30 years of experience in homemaking, she has become a trusted resource for contemporary homemakers by offering practical solutions to everyday household challenges.I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

About Jillee

Jill Nystul

Jill’s 30 years of homemaking experience, make her the trusted source for practical household solutions.

About Jillee

MORE IDEAS FROM

Homekeeping Tips

headlights

Foggy Headlights? Here’s 2 Easy Ways To Fix Them

uses for oxiclean

11 Uses For OxiClean That Make Cleaning & Laundry Easier

Borax, baking soda, and washing soda are all white powders that are helpful for cleaning - the main difference between them is their pH, and it has a lot to do with how they clean.

The Difference Between Baking Soda And Washing Soda And Borax

Clever And Time-Saving TikTok Cleaning Hacks

7 Clever And Time-Saving Cleaning Hacks, Courtesy Of TikTok

cleaning appliances

The Ultimate Guide To When And How To Clean Your Appliances

cleaning garbage cans

This Is The Best Fix For Your Stinky Outdoor Trash Cans

restoring scratched dishes

How To Make Your Scratched Dishes Look Brand New

Using the 5 senses cleaning method, a person attentively mops a wooden floor as another carefully wipes down a stainless steel refrigerator.

The Secret To A Cleaner Home? Use Your Five Senses

After scraping off any solid blueberries, pour hot water on the stain from as high as you can.

How To Get Blueberry Stains Out Of Anything

caring for hardwood floors - woman vacuuming wood floor; woman mopping wood floor

Everything You Need To Know To Keep Your Hardwood Floors Clean

homemade household cleaners

21 Of The Very Best Homemade Cleaners You Can Make

pencil erasers

9 Unexpected Problems You Can Solve With A Pencil Eraser

How To Clean Your Front-Loader Washing Machine

How To Clean Your Front-Load Washing Machine In 5 Easy Steps

oven cleaning

This Hack Makes It Unbelievably Easy To Clean Your Oven Door

Most Useful Cleaning Sprays You Can Make At Home

The 7 Most Useful Cleaning & Laundry Sprays You Can Make At Home

Bathroom Cleaning Tips

These Indispensable Tips Make Our Most Hated Chore Easier

Make Cleaning Less Painful

9 Practical Tips That Make Cleaning Easier On Your Body

Stanley Steemer

5 Easy Things That Will Make Your Holiday Guests Feel At Home

Leave a Comment

82 Comments

  1. I learned this from an email I got, soaking a fabric softener sheet in water for 15 minutes works wonders on stainless steel, but not only that it also works on other surfaces.. It works amazingly well!!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  2. What is the best way to clean stainless steel pots?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  3. I’ve tried homemade versions of different things for cleaning stainless steel and each one has a drawback. Orange oil is the way to go. I little goes a looooooong way so it will last a very long time. You can actually get professional orange oil cleaner for stainless steel and it does the best job.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  4. What do you do when there is rust on stainless steel? I don’t want to wipe away the rust and have it come back.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  5. The senior building I worked in has done a complete remodeling and in doing so, added a huge stainless steel refrigerator. I tried all my hacks and store bought products and nothing takes off the finger prints. The closest I came was with a simple damp microfiber cloth.
    I have to go get the club soda and Borax so my efforts will produce a beautiful finish for these people I help out.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  6. I use baby oil and a soft cloth. Makes the house smell good and conditions the stainless steel. The contractor that built our son’s home shared this tip

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  7. WD 40 or spray furniture polish (like pledge) with or without lemon in it. These work well on your stainless grill also.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  8. Sorry, this made a mess rather than taking care of one. I had to rub and rub with the microfiber, and finally resorted to re-cleaning my fridge with the CLR I have for stainless steel. Then I had the big mess on the floor to clean up, too. Can’t recommend this method at all.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • any kind of car paste wax. very easy to put on lightly and a breeze to wipe it off with a microfiber cloth. keeps it fingerprint clean for weeks! love it!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  10. I use a mix of vinegar and lemon juice, works great and smells nice!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • What van I use instegade of Borax? It is for some reasons I do not Knowles to buy here in Sweden.

      Maggis

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  11. A wee bit of coconut oil on a paper towel does wonders on stainless steel appliances. Don’t use too much, just a 1/2 -1 teaspoon, probably, depending on what appliance you’re cleaning. Rub it on all over then wipe it all off with a clean paper towel or two. Another great use for coconut oil!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • This is what I do and it works great! The tiniest amount is the key. If too much is used, it will take forever to rub it off.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  13. This is crazy!! Spray on orange oil! Not messy and works the same.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

      • Wendy, check at your local grocery store in the same aisle you get your cleaners. I use the stuff on my furniture and never knew it’s good for stainless steel too.

  14. For what it’s worth, our appliance repair man advised the acid from the lemon will degrade the finish. We’ve always used pledge on a microfiber cloth and it works great.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  15. Furniture polish works great and no messy clean-up.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • Thank you so much for this advice. I’ve tried stainless cleaner/polish and also white vinegar without success. I’d become resigned to a splotchy look on the lower freezer door and uneven polish on the rest. Just tried furniture polish on a soft cloth, and no more streaks and splotches!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  16. I really don’t have any stainless steel appliances but I do have stainless cookware. A young lady burned something in my pot and I don’t know how to get the burned stuff off. Do you have any suggestions for getting my pot back to normal? Thank you for any suggestion you might have.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • If the pan is burned on the inside, boil water, baking soda and Dawn in the pan for a few minutes. Watch closely as it can boil over. Let mixture cool then scrub inside and out with Soft Scrub. Rinse well and buff to a shine. Hope this helps!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  17. My cleaning lady taught me to use baby oil and a soft dry rag. Works amazingly well and removes every fingerprint quickly!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  19. My Norwex glass polishing cloth and plain water do a marvelous job at cleaning my kitchen full of stainless steel appliances!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  20. Seems to me there should be an easier way.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  21. I am very interested in this but not until the questions/comments from the first two posts are answered! I just had back surgery several weeks ago and don’t want to have my husband try this if it’s a little “off”! He would not be a happy camper!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  22. Tried this today…it just fell off the dishwasher door. I had to wipe it with a wet rag several times and it looked worse than it did when I started after wiping with the microfiber cloth. Did I do something wrong??

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • Same here. Left a haze and I keep wiping, but won’t go away.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

      • Oh no! If your paste was too thick, you might need to add more club soda.

  23. How long does this “concoction” last in a container or jar?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  24. Great idea. I will try this on my kitchen and bath faucets to. Thanks you.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  26. I also use WD-40 on my stainless sink and it cleans the water spots and the little mineral deposits that want to build up in the drain crevices. I like Jillee’s cleaner, but it seems like it would be very messy.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  27. Baby oil! It’s simple and no toxic inhalants. But only a very light mist goes a long way. It won’t be oily this way.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  28. LEMON Pledge works like a charm on Stainless Steel, this is the product Lowe’s uses to whip down all their SS at the end of each day.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  29. The best cleaner – most economic and easy – is a Norwex EnviroCloth. I use these cloths to clean my whole house. Use it dry to dust, use it damp to clean appliances, glass, virtually any surface in your home. These cloths sell for $17.99 Canadian, but they are available in the USA as well.

    Now I don’t need a lot of other cleaning solutions so I save myself hundreds of dollars a year on purchased cleaning products.

    I highly recommend Norwex!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • Norwexx products are the greatest. I love them and have a few myself. Love the microfiber wipe clothe and the dusting mitt plus the dishcloths. They wash great and are good to go for a long long time. They don’t seem to wear out.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • I agree with Cindy . . . you just need water and Norwex cloth and my house shines. Norwex has silver woven into the cloth so bacteria doesn’t grow in the cloth. They are a step above the microfiber clothes on the market.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  30. I use the same cleaner I use for windows which is equal parts vinegar and water. Spray it on and wipe off with a microfiber towel works like a charm.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  31. Vinegar works for me, sometimes if it is really dirty with oil, food, will add dish soap & water in spray bottle. Works great, no streaks.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  32. would that be good for an older stainless sink? i’ve rented a house for almost 6 years and the water is a bit hard, the sink when i clean it dries showing water spots and streaks….

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • I would use Bar Keepers Friend. It works great on stainless steel. For other appliances, I found that Pledge and a microfiber cloth works wonders.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  33. I use Windex Original Spray on mine. Previously was buying all those expensive cleaners but saw this idea on Martha Stewart and tried it. Works great. The only thing it takes a few cleanings before all that oil from the other cleaners are removed. Use only the “original” Windex, it has a red top and says original. The others do not work.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • My stainless refrigerator’s instructions specifically warned not to use Windex because it can cause pitting of the surface.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  34. I use endust. Just spray on and wipe off. works on the microwave. dishwasher, any stainless. Even the finger proof finish too!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • I ALSO USE END DUST. THERE IS NO OIL IN THIS PRODUCT, SO IT DOES NOT STREAK.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  35. The best cleaner I have found … among it’s many uses…WD-40. Just silicone…PERFECT!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  36. well a little disapointed, I thought you were going to show me how to get my stainless steel pots and pans all shiny and bright on the bottoms…
    I have always used rubbing alcohol to clean my stainless steel finished frig, stove and vent hood. works like a charm.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  37. There’s a cloth you can buy and all you use is water.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  38. My ‘stainless’ refrigerator is not really stainless steel. More of a plasticky finish. I can’t find anything that works well on it. Will this method work?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • Try spraying half vinegar, half water. If that doesn’t do the the trick, than this will!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  39. Excellent idea ,thank you for your smart idea.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  40. Would this work as well on a stainless steel sink with a lot of hard water spots?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  41. I use lemon oil. Just a little bit on a dry cloth and all smudges etc are gone. Plus, the smell is great.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  42. I simply use orange oil cleaner! It’s so easy to spray and wipe…not so messy and nothing to mix!!!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  43. Hi, I was wondering if you can make a batch to keep- will the ingredients stay “active”. Thanks!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • Not really, this is more of a one-time use cleaner.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  44. Have you tried this cleaner on different brands of appliances? Frigidaire has smudge-free finish so it would be easier to clean than other brands. I’d love to see how this works on different brands of SS!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  45. I usually use a SS product (non-aerosol) that I pick up at the store. One bottle lasts around a year and it is used for two fridges, a dishwasher, an oven and microwave. I don’t always have time to mix up a paste whenever I want to wipe things clean.

    However, I recently heard from a friend that she uses a thin amount of baby oil on a soft cloth to clean her appliances and they always look great! I know it is very inexpensive.

    Happy cleaning, ladies!
    JR

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  46. Hi, I am from Argentina, loved this post. Do you know the generic product for Borax? Thanks

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • From Wikipedia: “Borax, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate, is an important boron compound, a mineral, and a salt of boric acid. Powdered borax is white, consisting of soft colorless crystals that dissolve easily in water.”

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  47. Hi, Jillee-

    I also just got a stainless fridge, and already have a stainless dishwasher, stove and microwave……all purchased at different times. Since joining Pintrest, I have become more experimental.

    I put rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle, and tried it on each of my appliances. They come out sparkling clean, with absolutely no effort at all. I am THRILLED!!! This has worked better than anything I have ever tried. *(Note, looking at the appliances ahead of time, all of the stainless looked a little different, so I was really pleased that it worked on all of them.

    See if it works for yours! :-)

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  48. simple rubbing alcohol will remove fingerprints and clean and shine.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  49. Our cleaning service recommended a product called Sheila Shine. I bought mine at Home Depot. It’s wonderful! One application lasts for a month or more. In between, just wipe with a dry cloth!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • I agree on the Shiela Shine. It has been around forever and works well . One can will last a long time .

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  51. Barkeepers Friend found where you find Comet. It has no odor, doesn’t scratch and makes stainless sinks, stoves and ventahoods shine like they when they were brand new. Stainless cookware also looks like new when you polish them with this.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  52. A word of caution – many stainless steel appliances warn to always rub with the visible grain or you will damage the finish.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  53. The best stainless steel cleaner is WD-40! Wipe and shine…

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • I have heard rhis but never tried it because of the smell. I know WD-40 is a natural product. I saw a thing on TV about it. If you dont mind the odor it is probably the best thing you could use. Amazing product.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • I agree! My appliance repairman showed me this trick. It takes only a few seconds to spray WD-40 on a microfiber cloth and wipe to clean and shine the surface. Doesn’t seem to attract dust and grease as quickly as when I use other products. I use it on my fridge, oven, range hood (that’s always the worst!), dishwasher, and microwave.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  54. Would it be possible to make the printable copy without the pictures, so it will fit on one sheet of paper? Love the ideas. Thanks.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • I second this request! It takes way too much paper and ink to print one of these blogs as all the pictures get printed as well, and aren’t really necessary. Thanks for the great ideas!!!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

      • Use the PrintFriendly button first, you can customize the page (including removal of pictures) before printing. You can also make a downloadable PDF to have a digital copy for your library.

    • We already have one! Simply click the green button towards the bottom of the post that says “Print Friendly.” This will bring up a preview where you can make the pictures smaller, remove them altogether, or choose to delete whole paragraphs. This way, you can print only the information that you really need!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  55. Oh, thank you! No more strong chemicals to try not to inhale.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

Leave a Comment

82 Comments

  1. I learned this from an email I got, soaking a fabric softener sheet in water for 15 minutes works wonders on stainless steel, but not only that it also works on other surfaces.. It works amazingly well!!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  2. What is the best way to clean stainless steel pots?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  3. I’ve tried homemade versions of different things for cleaning stainless steel and each one has a drawback. Orange oil is the way to go. I little goes a looooooong way so it will last a very long time. You can actually get professional orange oil cleaner for stainless steel and it does the best job.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  4. What do you do when there is rust on stainless steel? I don’t want to wipe away the rust and have it come back.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  5. The senior building I worked in has done a complete remodeling and in doing so, added a huge stainless steel refrigerator. I tried all my hacks and store bought products and nothing takes off the finger prints. The closest I came was with a simple damp microfiber cloth.
    I have to go get the club soda and Borax so my efforts will produce a beautiful finish for these people I help out.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  6. I use baby oil and a soft cloth. Makes the house smell good and conditions the stainless steel. The contractor that built our son’s home shared this tip

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  7. WD 40 or spray furniture polish (like pledge) with or without lemon in it. These work well on your stainless grill also.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  8. Sorry, this made a mess rather than taking care of one. I had to rub and rub with the microfiber, and finally resorted to re-cleaning my fridge with the CLR I have for stainless steel. Then I had the big mess on the floor to clean up, too. Can’t recommend this method at all.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • any kind of car paste wax. very easy to put on lightly and a breeze to wipe it off with a microfiber cloth. keeps it fingerprint clean for weeks! love it!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  10. I use a mix of vinegar and lemon juice, works great and smells nice!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • What van I use instegade of Borax? It is for some reasons I do not Knowles to buy here in Sweden.

      Maggis

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  11. A wee bit of coconut oil on a paper towel does wonders on stainless steel appliances. Don’t use too much, just a 1/2 -1 teaspoon, probably, depending on what appliance you’re cleaning. Rub it on all over then wipe it all off with a clean paper towel or two. Another great use for coconut oil!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • This is what I do and it works great! The tiniest amount is the key. If too much is used, it will take forever to rub it off.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  13. This is crazy!! Spray on orange oil! Not messy and works the same.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

      • Wendy, check at your local grocery store in the same aisle you get your cleaners. I use the stuff on my furniture and never knew it’s good for stainless steel too.

  14. For what it’s worth, our appliance repair man advised the acid from the lemon will degrade the finish. We’ve always used pledge on a microfiber cloth and it works great.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  15. Furniture polish works great and no messy clean-up.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • Thank you so much for this advice. I’ve tried stainless cleaner/polish and also white vinegar without success. I’d become resigned to a splotchy look on the lower freezer door and uneven polish on the rest. Just tried furniture polish on a soft cloth, and no more streaks and splotches!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  16. I really don’t have any stainless steel appliances but I do have stainless cookware. A young lady burned something in my pot and I don’t know how to get the burned stuff off. Do you have any suggestions for getting my pot back to normal? Thank you for any suggestion you might have.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • If the pan is burned on the inside, boil water, baking soda and Dawn in the pan for a few minutes. Watch closely as it can boil over. Let mixture cool then scrub inside and out with Soft Scrub. Rinse well and buff to a shine. Hope this helps!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  17. My cleaning lady taught me to use baby oil and a soft dry rag. Works amazingly well and removes every fingerprint quickly!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  19. My Norwex glass polishing cloth and plain water do a marvelous job at cleaning my kitchen full of stainless steel appliances!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  20. Seems to me there should be an easier way.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  21. I am very interested in this but not until the questions/comments from the first two posts are answered! I just had back surgery several weeks ago and don’t want to have my husband try this if it’s a little “off”! He would not be a happy camper!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  22. Tried this today…it just fell off the dishwasher door. I had to wipe it with a wet rag several times and it looked worse than it did when I started after wiping with the microfiber cloth. Did I do something wrong??

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • Same here. Left a haze and I keep wiping, but won’t go away.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

      • Oh no! If your paste was too thick, you might need to add more club soda.

  23. How long does this “concoction” last in a container or jar?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  24. Great idea. I will try this on my kitchen and bath faucets to. Thanks you.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  26. I also use WD-40 on my stainless sink and it cleans the water spots and the little mineral deposits that want to build up in the drain crevices. I like Jillee’s cleaner, but it seems like it would be very messy.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  27. Baby oil! It’s simple and no toxic inhalants. But only a very light mist goes a long way. It won’t be oily this way.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  28. LEMON Pledge works like a charm on Stainless Steel, this is the product Lowe’s uses to whip down all their SS at the end of each day.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  29. The best cleaner – most economic and easy – is a Norwex EnviroCloth. I use these cloths to clean my whole house. Use it dry to dust, use it damp to clean appliances, glass, virtually any surface in your home. These cloths sell for $17.99 Canadian, but they are available in the USA as well.

    Now I don’t need a lot of other cleaning solutions so I save myself hundreds of dollars a year on purchased cleaning products.

    I highly recommend Norwex!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • Norwexx products are the greatest. I love them and have a few myself. Love the microfiber wipe clothe and the dusting mitt plus the dishcloths. They wash great and are good to go for a long long time. They don’t seem to wear out.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • I agree with Cindy . . . you just need water and Norwex cloth and my house shines. Norwex has silver woven into the cloth so bacteria doesn’t grow in the cloth. They are a step above the microfiber clothes on the market.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  30. I use the same cleaner I use for windows which is equal parts vinegar and water. Spray it on and wipe off with a microfiber towel works like a charm.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  31. Vinegar works for me, sometimes if it is really dirty with oil, food, will add dish soap & water in spray bottle. Works great, no streaks.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  32. would that be good for an older stainless sink? i’ve rented a house for almost 6 years and the water is a bit hard, the sink when i clean it dries showing water spots and streaks….

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • I would use Bar Keepers Friend. It works great on stainless steel. For other appliances, I found that Pledge and a microfiber cloth works wonders.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  33. I use Windex Original Spray on mine. Previously was buying all those expensive cleaners but saw this idea on Martha Stewart and tried it. Works great. The only thing it takes a few cleanings before all that oil from the other cleaners are removed. Use only the “original” Windex, it has a red top and says original. The others do not work.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • My stainless refrigerator’s instructions specifically warned not to use Windex because it can cause pitting of the surface.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  34. I use endust. Just spray on and wipe off. works on the microwave. dishwasher, any stainless. Even the finger proof finish too!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • I ALSO USE END DUST. THERE IS NO OIL IN THIS PRODUCT, SO IT DOES NOT STREAK.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  35. The best cleaner I have found … among it’s many uses…WD-40. Just silicone…PERFECT!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  36. well a little disapointed, I thought you were going to show me how to get my stainless steel pots and pans all shiny and bright on the bottoms…
    I have always used rubbing alcohol to clean my stainless steel finished frig, stove and vent hood. works like a charm.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  37. There’s a cloth you can buy and all you use is water.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  38. My ‘stainless’ refrigerator is not really stainless steel. More of a plasticky finish. I can’t find anything that works well on it. Will this method work?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • Try spraying half vinegar, half water. If that doesn’t do the the trick, than this will!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  39. Excellent idea ,thank you for your smart idea.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  40. Would this work as well on a stainless steel sink with a lot of hard water spots?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  41. I use lemon oil. Just a little bit on a dry cloth and all smudges etc are gone. Plus, the smell is great.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  42. I simply use orange oil cleaner! It’s so easy to spray and wipe…not so messy and nothing to mix!!!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  43. Hi, I was wondering if you can make a batch to keep- will the ingredients stay “active”. Thanks!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • Not really, this is more of a one-time use cleaner.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  44. Have you tried this cleaner on different brands of appliances? Frigidaire has smudge-free finish so it would be easier to clean than other brands. I’d love to see how this works on different brands of SS!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  45. I usually use a SS product (non-aerosol) that I pick up at the store. One bottle lasts around a year and it is used for two fridges, a dishwasher, an oven and microwave. I don’t always have time to mix up a paste whenever I want to wipe things clean.

    However, I recently heard from a friend that she uses a thin amount of baby oil on a soft cloth to clean her appliances and they always look great! I know it is very inexpensive.

    Happy cleaning, ladies!
    JR

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  46. Hi, I am from Argentina, loved this post. Do you know the generic product for Borax? Thanks

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • From Wikipedia: “Borax, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate, is an important boron compound, a mineral, and a salt of boric acid. Powdered borax is white, consisting of soft colorless crystals that dissolve easily in water.”

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  47. Hi, Jillee-

    I also just got a stainless fridge, and already have a stainless dishwasher, stove and microwave……all purchased at different times. Since joining Pintrest, I have become more experimental.

    I put rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle, and tried it on each of my appliances. They come out sparkling clean, with absolutely no effort at all. I am THRILLED!!! This has worked better than anything I have ever tried. *(Note, looking at the appliances ahead of time, all of the stainless looked a little different, so I was really pleased that it worked on all of them.

    See if it works for yours! :-)

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  48. simple rubbing alcohol will remove fingerprints and clean and shine.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  49. Our cleaning service recommended a product called Sheila Shine. I bought mine at Home Depot. It’s wonderful! One application lasts for a month or more. In between, just wipe with a dry cloth!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • I agree on the Shiela Shine. It has been around forever and works well . One can will last a long time .

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  51. Barkeepers Friend found where you find Comet. It has no odor, doesn’t scratch and makes stainless sinks, stoves and ventahoods shine like they when they were brand new. Stainless cookware also looks like new when you polish them with this.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  52. A word of caution – many stainless steel appliances warn to always rub with the visible grain or you will damage the finish.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  53. The best stainless steel cleaner is WD-40! Wipe and shine…

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • I have heard rhis but never tried it because of the smell. I know WD-40 is a natural product. I saw a thing on TV about it. If you dont mind the odor it is probably the best thing you could use. Amazing product.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • I agree! My appliance repairman showed me this trick. It takes only a few seconds to spray WD-40 on a microfiber cloth and wipe to clean and shine the surface. Doesn’t seem to attract dust and grease as quickly as when I use other products. I use it on my fridge, oven, range hood (that’s always the worst!), dishwasher, and microwave.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  54. Would it be possible to make the printable copy without the pictures, so it will fit on one sheet of paper? Love the ideas. Thanks.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

    • I second this request! It takes way too much paper and ink to print one of these blogs as all the pictures get printed as well, and aren’t really necessary. Thanks for the great ideas!!!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

      • Use the PrintFriendly button first, you can customize the page (including removal of pictures) before printing. You can also make a downloadable PDF to have a digital copy for your library.

    • We already have one! Simply click the green button towards the bottom of the post that says “Print Friendly.” This will bring up a preview where you can make the pictures smaller, remove them altogether, or choose to delete whole paragraphs. This way, you can print only the information that you really need!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

  55. Oh, thank you! No more strong chemicals to try not to inhale.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.