How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances Without Streaks

Stainless steel appliances look incredible for about 30 seconds after you clean them, and then someone touches the fridge and it's covered in fingerprints again. Here's how to clean them properly and keep them cleaner longer.

The Professional Method

Forget all the specialty stainless steel cleaners — most of them leave residue that actually attracts more fingerprints. Here's what our cleaners use:

• ✓Spray a small amount of dish soap mixed with warm water onto the surface
• ✓Wipe WITH the grain of the steel (look closely — stainless steel has a direction)
• ✓Dry immediately with a clean microfiber cloth, again going with the grain
• ✓For the final buff, put a tiny drop of mineral oil or baby oil on a cloth and go over the surface lightly
• ✓The oil creates a barrier that repels fingerprints and water spots

What to Never Use

These will damage your stainless steel:

• ✓Steel wool or abrasive scrubbers — they scratch the surface permanently
• ✓Bleach or chlorine-based cleaners — they corrode stainless steel
• ✓Glass cleaner — it can streak and leave chemical residue
• ✓Paper towels — they're too rough and leave lint

Dealing With Stubborn Spots

For water spots, white vinegar on a soft cloth works well. For burnt-on food (usually around the stove area), make a paste of baking soda and water, apply it gently with the grain, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe clean. For rust spots — yes, stainless steel can rust — Bar Keepers Friend is the gold standard. Apply with a soft cloth, rub gently with the grain, and rinse.