Despite its name, even stainless steel can get stains. Fortunately, there are a number of quick and easy ways to clean your stainless steel appliances. A paste of liquid soap and baking soda is probably your best bet. For stronger stains, a simple wipe with vinegar should do the trick. Your stainless steel will be stain-free in no time!
Mix equal parts liquid dish soap and baking soda for simple stains. Dab a bit of the paste onto a nylon scrubbie or an old toothbrush. Gently scrub the stain along the grain of the stainless steel.
Use vinegar for stronger stains. If the baking soda paste doesn’t work, dab a soft brush in undiluted vinegar. Scrub gently with the grain of the stainless steel. Wipe the vinegar away with a dry cloth.
Alternately, fill a spray bottle with some vinegar and spray it on the stain, then use your brush or a paper towel to wipe the stain away.
Use a flour sack and powdered cleaner to get rid of sink stains. Dampen a corner of an empty flour sack. Sprinkle a powdered cleaner (like Comet or Bon Ami) over it. Rub it onto the stain in a circular motion. Wet another corner of the sack, then wipe the stain in the opposite direction.
Finally, wipe the entire area you cleaned with wax paper.
Buff your stainless steel sink or appliances after cleaning. Use a stainless steel polish, lemon oil, or a silicone-based spray to maintain the finish. While the specific directions will vary depending on the product you use, you can generally apply a bit of the buffing agent to a clean cloth, then wipe back and forth along the direction of the stainless steel grain.
Instead of a store-bought product, you could also use a mineral oil such as olive oil. Just dab a cloth or paper towel in a bit of the oil and wipe along the direction of the grain.
