Cleaning Stainless Steel

If you're lucky, your kitchen might be equipped with stainless steel appliances; just about everything can come in stainless steel now, including refrigerators, microwaves, stoves, ovens, and knives. Stainless steel is a great material that can really prolong the life of your appliances, and you'll want to preserve them as long as possible. However, it is inevitable that you'll have to clean that stainless steel in order for it to maintain its best quality. Fortunately cleaning stainless steel isn't too difficult and it's something easy you can do often!

The basics for what you'll need are pretty simple: Really all you need is some rags and warm water, but for a more in depth cleaning, you'll need just a little more. You'll want to combine some light dish washing detergent with the warm water to make light and soapy suds; then take a rag, dip it in the water, and wipe the stainless steel surface down. You want a couple of rags with you, so you can use a dry one to dry off the stainless steel surface; this way the water spots won't dry onto the stainless steel and the soap won't leave a film.

Another thing you probably will have to deal with regarding your stainless steel is fingerprints, and soap and water won't always do it for you. If this is the case, then you'll want to use a glass cleaner when you wipe off the fingerprints. If you just use some Windex (or a generic equivalent), those fingerprints will come right off!

You may also have an issue with scratched and dulled stainless steel, but fortunately there is a way to repair that so it doesn't look so battered. In order to remedy that situation, however, you'll need to purchase a specific stainless steel cleaner, which can be found in any home improvement store and, perhaps, your local grocery store. The stainless steel cleaner will actually polish your stainless steel and help take away stains and prevent scratching. Before you use the stainless steel cleaner, however, you should read the directions thoroughly and test it on an inconspicuous place on your appliance. When you're finished using the cleaner, rinse off the stainless steel and dry well.

So, now you know how to secure great, clean stainless steel, you know that it's easy and quick, and gives you no excuse for chronically dirty, smudged appliances! Just apply these simple techniques and you'll be good to go!