The weekly cleaning and maintenance of your stainless steel appliances should be on your to-do list, no matter how many chores you have to tackle. Luckily, these items are not magnets for greasy fingerprints, but they harbor lots of germs and bacteria, especially during the winter season.
There are several tips that may help you get the job done quickly and effectively.
Grabbing a bottle of cleaning solution is actually the wrong technique that can even damage the most expensive machines from your house.
1. Read the manual carefully
Always check the owner’s manual first in order to maintain the integrity and appearance of your stainless steel appliances. Furthermore, it might be the only way you are 100 percent sure you’re going to do a good job.
2. Stainless Steel Cleaners on the market don’t actually clean
Silva-Nash, EVP of Molly Maid of Greater Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas, a Neighborly company says that Stainless steel “cleaners” are generally polishers, not cleaners. So they don’t actually clean, in order to clean the stainless steel surface, you’ll have to use something else.
Water and soap remain the key ingredients for a clean surface. Then use a little bit of oil or polish, if desired.
3. A soft cloth cleans better
A clean, soft cloth is recommended when you clean stainless steel appliances. Also, steel wool or a scouring pad on stainless steel is not at all recommended because they can scratch the surface.
4. Follow the grain direction
The faint lines you see on your appliances which look like a slight texture to the surface are called grain. Experts recommend always cleaning in the direction of the grain in order to prevent scratching and enhance shine.
Tips to correctly clean stainless steel appliances at home
- A little bit of water and dish soap coupled with a microfiber cloth will be just what you need. You don’t need fancy equipment.
- You can use a spray bottle in which you can add warm water and several drops of dish soap.
- Spray the appliances with the soap mixture. Wipe off the soap mixture in the direction of the grain using a soft microfiber cloth.
- After you cleaned the surface, dip your cloth (you can use the same one) into a bit of mineral oil, or even coconut or olive oil in order to give it a nice shine. Less is more, in this case, you don’t need a lot of oil.
- Using an oiled-up cloth, wipe in the direction of the grain across the entire surface. shiny new stainless steel will be revealed while the remaining marks will disappear.
Vinegar is used to clean different kinds of surfaces, but it is not recommended for stainless steel appliances. “Anything acidic will trip the shine off of your appliance, and possibly make it vulnerable to more damage.” cautions Silvia Nash. But there are exceptions too: You can use diluted vinegar to clear the buildup.
And for very dirty and greasy appliances that aren’t focal points of your kitchen, such as stainless steel grill grates, you can use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, says Shirley Langridge, appliance cleaning expert.
Now you know almost everything about cleaning the stainless steel appliances, it’s time to get the job done!
