Stainless steel is relatively simple to clean, but it can still accumulate oils, grease, stains, and soap scum that could be difficult to remove without proper solutions. You can use a homemade stainless steel cleaner that is inexpensive, natural, and effective!
In this article, we have 4 cleaning solutions to clean your stainless steel. All you'll need are a couple of home staples, and a few cleaning tools to get started. With homemade cleaning solutions, you won't have to worry about chemicals leaching into your food, making these perfect solutions for cleaning kitchen appliances, sinks and countertops!
What You'll Need
Homemade Stainless Steel Cleaner
- Rubbing alcohol - at least 70% concentration
- White vinegar
- Essential oil or Olive oil
- Spray bottle
- Microfiber cloth
Stainless Steel Cleaner + Polish
- Toothpaste - go for the white paste, instead of gel toothpaste
- Baking soda
- Old toothbrush
- Microfiber cloth
Stainless Steel Degreaser
- Dish soap
- Warm water
- Spray bottle
- Microfiber cloth
Natural Stainless Steel Cleaner
- Lemon juice
- Microfiber cloth
4 Recipes for a DIY Stainless Steel Cleaner
Recipe #1: Homemade Stainless Steel Cleaner
Mix together 1 part rubbing alcohol, and 1 part distilled white vinegar. Add in a few drops of olive oil or your favorite essential oils, and give the vinegar solution a good shake to mix. Spritz this solution all over the surface, and let the solution sit for a minute or two to let its cleaning properties work. Wipe clean with a dry cloth.
Rubbing alcohol will disinfect the surface, while vinegar will clear grease, oils, and dirt from the surface of your stainless steel. It is an effective solution in cleaning stainless steel, and is convenient to mix together and use as well!
Recipe #2: Stainless Steel Cleaner + Polish
Create a thick paste using white toothpaste and baking soda. Use a toothbrush or any soft-bristled brush to apply the paste over the entire appliance surface, and scrub to polish the surface. Use a clean, soft cloth to wipe the paste away, revealing a shined, polished surface.
Baking soda and toothpaste both have gentle abrasives to clean and polish stainless steel at the same time. Use some time and elbow grease to scrub the surface, and you'll remove stains, greasy fingerprints, and shallow scratches from your stainless steel.
Recipe #3: Stainless Steel Degreaser
Measure out 1 tablespoon of dish soap, preferably one with degreasing properties. Mix it with 2 cups of warm water in a spray bottle, and gently shake the bottle to dissolve. Spray a generous amount of the cleaning solution on your stainless steel appliances, and use a clean, soft cloth to gently rub the surface clean.
As dish soap was made to clean dishes and cookware that have oil on them, it counteracts grease, and breaks down oily residue on your stainless steel surface. Using a diluted form of the cleaning solution removes that oily film on top of stainless steel surfaces without leaving soap residue.
Recipe #4: Natural Stainless Steel Cleaner
Take a soft cloth dampened with water, and squeeze a few drops of lemon juice on it. Use this cloth in cleaning stainless steel appliances. Lemon juice does not need any rinsing, and it acts as a natural cleaning solution so that you won't have to worry about harsh chemicals that commercial stainless steel cleaners have.
Using lemon juice to clean your stainless steel appliances is a decades-old remedy to bring the shine back to metallic surfaces. The acidity of lemon will dissolve soap scum and water stains, and remove excess oil from the surface as well.
Tips to Clean Stainless Steel
- Go with the grain when polishing. While many cleaning tutorials will tell you to scrub stainless steel in a circular motion, going with the grain when polishing will help preserve the look of your stainless steel appliances.
- Avoid using abrasive scrubbers. These scrubbers, like steel wool, can damage stainless steel surfaces, and make your appliances look scratched up.
- Use a stainless steel polish to bring the shine back to your kitchen. A stainless steel polish will remove the grime from the surface, and get rid of scratches that make your steel surfaces look dull.
- Using a food-grade mineral oil will help protect your steel items from moisture, which also prevents rust, stains, and grime from sticking to the surface.
- Use a dry microfiber cloth or paper towel to clean your stainless steel. This will prevent fibers from getting left behind, and buff the surface as well.
Bring Back the Shine
Don't let your kitchen lose its luster! When you've got your hands full with cleaning chores, trust in Luce Home to bring the shine back into your home! Our expert cleaners will be more than happy to help you upkeep your home from your kitchen to your living room, bathroom, bedroom, and more.
Contact us today, and we'll schedule you for a cleaning session that fits your home!
