How To Clean Stainless Steel Appliances
Everybody seems to want Stainless Steel to take care of these days. We’ve been looking at the big appliances, others collect the cookware, and just about everyone has a stainless steel sink. No matter what the product is you still have to clean it at one time or another.
As Auto detailer, Truckers, and Motorcycle owners know, there are a few easy ways to take care of stainless that will keep it looking great for a long time to come.
Here’s a list of things that you will need.
- A wash cloth that is real soft
- A Towel that is soft and absorbent
- A dish or small bucket
- A grease cutting dish washing liquid detergent
- Rubbing alcohol
- Baking Soda Now to the Process
- Olive Oil
- Barkeepers Friend
- Window Cleaner
The last five items are not necessary but can help if the stain is stubborn.
The easyist way to clean stainless steel is to wipe it down with warm water and a wash cloth. Then wipe it dry with the towel. This works well for daily cleaning. If your stainless is dirty with grease or just plain grime, you’ll need something a little stronger.
If you know that there are dirty stains to remove, mix a little detergent (like dawn) in a dish or small bucket with some warm water. With the wash cloth dipped into the soap and water mixture, completely wash the area of the appliance where the stain is.
Wring out the cloth, and then with clear warm water, rinse the complete area, and then dry it with the towel.
You may find spots that didn’t come clean, so you will have to try the rubbing alcohol routine and see if it comes clean with that. After using the rubbing alcohol, make sure you rinse the area with clean warm water and then dry it thoroughly.
In the unlikely event that the above method doesn’t do the trick, you will have to make a mixture of water and baking soda and mix it up until it looks and feels like toothpaste.
Work the paste into the stain and let it stay that way for about 30 minutes. Now rinse with soapy water and the cloth, then rinse with warm water and the cloth again and dry completely.
Another way to clean stainless steel and chrome is to spray the area with window cleaner or an ammonia and water mixture (about 4 to 1 ammonia with water) and wipe it with a paper towel.
Make sure you don’t use anything abrasive like Steel Wool, (sometimes known as Brillo Pads) because it will scratch the surface. If you have to use a cleaner on a stubborn stain like rust, there are good cleaners at auto stores or truck stops that will do the trick easily.
Remember that some cleaners, like silver or brass cleaners will leave a stain.
Olive oil does a good job on stainless steel sinks with water spots. Always use a soft cloth and then buff dry with another soft cloth. This will make your sink shine like a new one to.
