How to Clean Stainless Steel
Jump Ahead
- Keeping Stainless Steel Clean Is More Than Aesthetics
- Expert Tips on Cleaning Stainless Steel
- How to Remove Stains from Stainless Steel
- Explore a Range of Stainless Steel Cleaning Solutions
- Things That Damage Stainless Steel
- Common Stainless Steel Cleaning Questions
Keeping Stainless Steel Clean Is More Than Aesthetics
The great thing about stainless steel is that it is durable and stain-resistant due to a thin, self-repairing film that forms on the surface. [1] Keeping your stainless steel clean helps to maintain the integrity of this protective chromium oxide surface layer, which is constantly maintained when the oxygen in the air combines with the chromium in the stainless steel. Dirt and debris hinder this process, trapping corrosive agents and reducing corrosion protection. So keeping your stainless steel clean isn’t just for health reasons or aesthetics; cleanliness is essential for maximum corrosion resistance. [2]
Expert Tips on Cleaning Stainless Steel
According to The European Stainless Steel Development Association, in most cases, a soft cloth or sponge soaked in soapy water will produce perfect results. For brushed and polished surfaces, they advise wiping in the direction of the polish grain and not across it. Finally, you should dry the surface after you clean it to remove limescale and watermarks. [3]
Before trying any products, ensure they are marked as suitable for cleaning stainless steel.
How to Remove Stains from Stainless Steel
The Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association shares these tips on cleaning specific stains. [4]
- Adhesives – alcohol
- Coffee and Tea Stains – washing soda
- Grease – warm, soapy water
- Limescale – diluted vinegar
Explore a Range of Stainless Steel Cleaning Solutions
Many published books contain tips for cleaning stainless steel, from obvious to eyebrow-raising. While we can’t guarantee that they will work for everyone, they are certainly interesting! Stainless steel comes in many grades, has many finishes, and is used in various applications, so take precautions when trying new methods, as your situation may differ from the author’s below.
Halle Cotis, author of “Natural Solutions for Cleaning Wellness,” shares one of the most unique tips compared to similar books. She cleans her stainless steel sink with 70% isopropyl alcohol and 3% food-grade hydrogen peroxide. She first dabs a little alcohol onto a cotton pad and uses it to remove surface dirt, food particles, and grease. Once the surface is debris-free, she uses a fine mist spray bottle to cover the surface with the hydrogen peroxide. She allows it to sit for a minute before wiping it off. Finally, she polishes it with a microfiber cloth. [5]
In her book “Heloise Around the House,” Heloise advises using baking soda to clean a stainless steel sink. She warns that even some liquid cleansers can scratch the surface. She also advises wiping the sink with a small amount of oil or vinegar on a soft, clean cloth to keep it shiny. [6]
Melodie Moore, author of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Household Solutions,” uses club soda/seltzer or white vinegar. She uses a soft cloth to clean the sink with the club soda or vinegar. If the sink has grease or grime, she first sprinkles the stainless steel with baking soda. [7]
Joey Green, the author of “Joey Green’s Cleaning Magic,” uses McCormak cream of tartar and Heinz white vinegar to clean his stainless steel appliances. He mixes two teaspoons of the cream of tartar with just enough vinegar to make a paste, then rubs it on the appliance with a soft, clean cloth. He rinses it with warm water and dries with another soft, clean cloth. [8]
Becky Rapinchuk, author of “Simply Clean: The Proven Method for Keeping Your Home Organized, Clean, and Beautiful in Just 10 Minutes a Day,” uses four different approaches when she cleans her stainless steel. Like several other authors, she uses water, club soda, and vinegar but shares that she “polishes” her stainless steel appliances with olive or baby oil. She suggests using the oil to buff in the direction of the grain until you no longer see any oil residue. [9]
Things That Damage Stainless Steel
Stainless steel may be durable, but it is not indestructible. Several standard cleaning supplies make the “do not use on stainless steel” list, including scouring powder, which can scratch and compromise the protective layer; silver dip cleaners, which are corrosive to steel; and carbon steel scouring pads, which can both scratch and corrode. [10]
Common Stainless Steel Cleaning Questions
We referred to three professional stainless steel associations to answer the most commonly asked questions about cleaning stainless steel.
- Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA)
- European Stainless Steel Development Association (ESSDA)
- South Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (SASSDA)
What is the best thing to use to clean stainless steel?
- For everyday, routine cleaning, simple warm water and mild detergent are the best things to use to clean stainless steel.
Is vinegar OK to clean stainless steel?
- SSINA suggests adding a small amount of vinegar to a mild-non abrasive scouring powder for more aggressive cleaning.
- ESSDA suggests using diluted vinegar to remove limescale.
- SASSDA suggests a prolonged soaking in a 25% vinegar solution to loosen limescale deposits and watermarks.
Can you clean stainless steel with Windex?
- ESSDA does not name Windex but does suggest using chloride-free glass spray cleaners for mirror-polished stainless steel surfaces.
- SASSDA suggests removing fingerprints from smooth-polished and bright-finished stainless steel surfaces with a glass cleaner.
Does baking soda clean stainless steel?
- ESSDA suggests using baking soda to remove coffee deposits.
Resources
- [1][4] South African Stainless Steel Development Association (SASSDA) – “Care, Maintenance and Cleaning of Stainless Steel.“
- [2] Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) – “The Care and Cleaning of Stainless Steel – Designer’s Handbook.“
- [3][10] The European Stainless Steel Development Association (ESSDA) – “Frequently Asked Questions – Cleaning Stainless Steel in the Home.“
- [5] Cottis, Halle. Natural Solutions for Cleaning & Wellness: Health Remedies and Green Cleaning Solutions Without Toxins Or Chemicals. United States, Page Street Publishing, 2017.
- [6] Heloise Around the House: 2,647 Household Problems Solved from Basement to Attic. United States, Rodale, 2003.
- [7] Moore, Melodie. Complete Idiot’s Guide to Household Solutions. United States, Alpha Books, 1998.
- [8] Green, Joey. Joey Green’s Cleaning Magic: 2,336 Ingenious Cleanups Using Brand-Name Products. United States, Rodale, 2010.
- [9] Rapinchuk, Becky. Simply Clean: The Proven Method for Keeping Your Home Organized, Clean, and Beautiful in Just 10 Minutes a Day. United States, Gallery Books, 2017.
