Stainless steel appliances have been adorning homes for a while now. After all, who doesn't like how they make the kitchen look—besides being easy to clean and maintain?

However, to keep your appliances looking as good as they did when you first got them, you need to clean them regularly. Here's how to clean your stainless steel appliances:

What to avoid

While stainless steel is not exactly the most delicate surface, it still requires that you take some precautions to keep it in top condition.

Here are some things you need to consider before you start cleaning your appliances:

Don't use abrasive cleaners

Your first instinct may be to grab a chemical store-bought cleaner. However, products like bleach can stain the steel, and cleaners that contain ammonia could even cause scratches or discoloring on these surfaces.

So, when it comes to stainless steel, going for a more natural approach is better.

Don't use metal sponges

Some might think that the harsher the sponge, the better. But, in the case of stainless steel, rough sponges can do more harm than good—the metallic fibers can scratch the appliance!

How to clean your stainless steel appliances

Now that you know what not to do, the actual process of cleaning stainless steel appliances is very straightforward. Just follow these easy steps:

Step 1. Dust the appliances

Sometimes, dust makes up most—if not all—of the dirt in your appliances. So, the first step is always to get this dust off the surfaces. This way, if the stainless steel is only dusty, you can stop at this step.

To do this, you only need to grab a clean, dry microfiber cloth and wipe the surface with it. The microfiber will be gentle enough not to damage the stainless steel while efficiently removing dust.

Step 2. Wipe the grime off the stainless steel

If some stains or dirt remain, you can use a mild cleaning solution and a soft sponge or microfiber cloth.

When choosing the cleaner you want to use, you have different options depending on your priorities: 

• Vinegar: Vinegar is acidic, which allows it to dissolve grime, and oily substances, leaving your appliances looking as good as new if you're struggling with stains.
• Dish soap: Dish soap is a milder alternative to other commercial cleaners, but it will still clean grease, fingerprints, and sticky substances on the stainless steel.
• Olive oil: Olive oil cleans small smudges on the stainless steel. Plus, if you're looking for something that will leave the stainless steel appliances shiny, olive oil is the best option! 
• Baby oil: Baby oil has some of the same results as olive oil, leaving the stainless steel surfaces free of smudges. However, baby oil is also antibacterial! Which is a great bonus to keep your kitchen germ-free.

All you need to do is put a little of your chosen cleaner in your cloth or sponge and wipe in the direction of the grain to avoid streaking the surfaces.

Note: If you don't know which direction the grain goes, follow the one with less resistance when wiping.

Step 3. Dry the appliances

The last thing you need to do is dry the appliances with a dry microfiber cloth. This way, none of the moisture remains, so it can't streak the surfaces if it runs.

Short on time? Let the pros handle it

Getting all the chores around your home can be challenging, especially if you can only use a small fraction of your time to do them. 

With CHRIStal Clean, you won't have to worry about that anymore! We offer customizable cleaning packages to cover your cleaning needs, including cleaning and polishing the outside of your appliances.

Check out our services and request a free quote here!