Top 5 Tips for Cleaning Stainless Steel Kitchen Appliances
Did you just invest in a stainless steel kitchen appliance? Do you know how to keep it looking in tip top shape? If not, you may want to check out a few of my cleaning tips. I first learned how to clean such appliances while working in the restaurant industry. I later translated those skills to home use. With that said, here are my tips:
Avoid Abrasive Materials
I have found that you should not use abrasives on stainless steel appliances because it can cause scratches. The scratches will allow oxygen and water to penetrate the metal’s surface. That, in turn, will cause surface rust over time. As such, when I clean stainless steel at home, I use a soft, microfiber cloth and non-abrasive cleaners.
Cleaners
Speaking of cleaners, you should keep in mind that some stainless steel appliances are coated with special finishes. Those finishes can be damaged by using the wrong type of cleanser. I tend to use a stainless steel cleanser, a one percent ammonia and water based solution (glass cleaner) or a paste made with baking soda and water to clean the items in my kitchen. I’ll use the ammonia and water based solution for daily, light cleaning. Then I’ll use a combination stainless steel cleaner and polishing agent once a month. If I happen to get food splatter stuck onto the stove, I’ll remove it with a baking soda and paste mixture.
Go with the Grain
Based on my experience, it is also extremely important to wipe your stainless steel in the direction of the grain. Otherwise, you could cause scratches and streaks in the appliance’s finish. You should be able see the direction of the grain just by looking at your appliance. I should also mention that the grain on each appliance may vary. For example, the grain on my refrigerator runs up and down whereas the grain on my microwave runs from left to right.
Rise Well
When you are finished removing the dirt from your appliances, make sure that you rinse away any residue. I have found that failure to do so can cause the surface film on the appliance to deteriorate. Once that deteriorates, your appliances are more apt to be susceptible to stains and scratches.
Keep it Dry
Lastly, it is critical that you keep the surfaces of your stainless steel appliances dry. It is important to do so because the moisture will cause water stains. I found that out the hard way because the water dispenser located on my refrigerator’s door started to drip. Unfortunately, no one realized it until much later. By that time, a water stain had already started to form onto the drip pan and I was unsuccessful in removing it. As a result, I had to invest in another drip pan insert.
Source: Personal Experience
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