Stainless steel appliances look great in your kitchen. They are modern, clean, simple, and add brightness to the kitchen. They are hard to keep clean, also. Stainless steel appliances are a magnet for fingerprints, smudges, and water stains. You can either hide them under school papers and magnets or learn how to clean them off.
Do you know the right way to clean your stainless steel appliances? Here are a few do’s and don’t’s to help you keep your appliances looking great.
DO – Check the Manufacturer’s Manual For Cleaning Instructions
Local store shelves are filled with cleaning products to remove stains and fingerprints from your stainless steel surfaces, but are they the right product? Check your appliances user manual for cleaning instructions. It may recommend a stainless steel cleaner that works best on your appliances. You may even find a few warning about which cleaners to avoid. Do not use products with warnings. It could void your manufacturer’s warranty. Taking a few minutes to read the cleaning instructions in the manual could save you time, money, and headaches.
DON’T – Use Abrasive Products
You bought stainless steel because it is tough, but that doesn’t mean it will stand up to the abuse of abrasive cleaners. Steel wool, scouring powders, scratch pads, and scrapers can damage the surface. If you thought fingerprints looked bad, scratches look even worse. Bleach and ammonia should be avoided, too. They can discolor you stainless steel surfaces. Do you have hard water? You may want to use distilled water so you don’t get those white water spots and streaks on your appliances.
DO – Learn About Homemade Stainless Steel Cleaners Which Work
You can avoid buying harsh cleaners at the store by trying these three DIY stainless steel cleaners.
NOTE: Always test cleaners on a small, out of view, area of your appliance before cleaning the entire surface. This lets you verify the cleaner does not cause discoloration or scratches on the surface.
Vinegar And Olive Oil – The Great Smelling Stainless Steel Cleaner
Here is what you will need to mix up this cleaner:
- Spray Bottle
- White Vinegar
- 2 Microfiber Cloths
- Olive Oil (Cheap versions work fine.)
Fill the spray bottle with the white vinegar.
Now check your appliance and see which direction the grain, or lines, run on your appliance. You want to follow these lines when you clean.
Spray the white vinegar on the appliance.
Wipe the vinegar off using the microfiber cloth, don’t forget to follow the grain of the stainless steel.
Put a little olive oil on the second microfiber cloth.
Use this cloth to buff your appliance back to a high-shine. Don’t forget, you always want to follow the grain.
Make Your Stainless Steel Appliances Baby Fresh with Dish Soap and Baby Oil
Grab these items from around your house:
- Dishwashing Liquid – Milder brands are preferred.
- Warm Water
- Bottle of Baby Oil
- 2 Microfiber Cloths
Mix a small amount of the dishwashing liquid into a bucket of warm water.
Dip the microfiber cloth into the sudsy water, then ring it out by hand. Use the cloth to wipe away the fingerprints, stains, and smudges. You did remember to follow the grain, right?
Let the appliance air dry, then grab your second microfiber cloth. Put a little baby oil on the cloth.
Rub down the stainless steel surface with the baby oil to brighten the surface. Yes, you should be following the grain.
Robbing Your Bar To Clean Your Appliances – Club Soda
This list of ingredients is simple:
- Bottle of Club Soda
- Spray Bottle
- Microfiber Cloth
Pour the club soda into the spray bottle SLOWLY. You don’t want to have the bubbles making a mess in the kitchen, do you?
Spray the club soda solution onto your stainless steel appliances.
Use the microfiber cloth to rub away the club soda, fingerprints, and smudges. Do we need to remind you about the grain?
DON’T Hesitate to Call The Cleaning Pros
We all get hit by time crunches at times. If you need some help getting your kitchen or any other part of your home clean, we are ready to help. You can contact the cleaning professionals at North Atlanta Cleaning Service to get the job done fast. We are ready to help you get your kitchen looking great.
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