The best stainless steel cleaners don't have to be those expensive, abrasive products. In fact, abrasive solutions can cause scratches to form on your stainless steel surfaces, causing groves that dirt can latch onto. The best stainless steel cleaners should provide efficient cleaning without requiring much elbow grease to remove stains!
In this article, we'll present 4 of our top picks for commercial stainless steel cleaner brands, as well as 2 DIY solutions for safer options. Bring the polished stainless steel look back into your kitchen, and you'll never have to see a smudged stainless steel surface again.
6 Cleaners to Shine Stainless Steel Appliances
DIY Solutions
DIY stainless steel cleaners have the big advantage of being food-safe. They are also accessible and inexpensive to use, and the ingredients are pantry staples often found in homes. DIY cleaners, however, have limited abilities in their cleaning power when improperly made, so best to stick to commercial solutions for large, old stains.
#1 Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda and white vinegar is a classic combo used in removing stains from nearly any surface from fabrics to glass. The mixture creates an effective stainless steel cleaner that can be used on stainless steel appliances, pots, pans, and other cookware with no harmful effects. The downside is the wait time - the solution will require some patience and elbow grease!
Start by mixing enough baking soda and vinegar to form a paste. Using plain hot water in place of vinegar works, albeit with less cleaning power. Apply the paste directly onto stained areas, and let it sit for at least 15 minutes up to an hour. Use a scrubbing pad or steel wool to brush out the grime, and your stainless steel appliances should shine like they're new.
#2 Lemon Juice and Salt
Lemon juice and salt is another popular cleaning solution that is used for kitchen appliances. The mixture is food safe and leaves a fresh scent, so you don't have to worry about your kitchen smelling like vinegar. The cleaning solution is also effective in removing baked-on food residue from your stainless steel sinks, as well as cleaning stainless steel cookware.
Cut a lemon in half, and squeeze the juice of the lemon over your stainless steel surfaces. Take a heaping tablespoon of rock salt, and add it to the lemon juice. Use the lemon rind as a scrubber, and start scrubbing out stains in a circular motion. You should notice the stains lift easily, and your stainless steel surfaces looking shiny.
Commercial Stainless Steel Cleaners
The best stainless steel cleaner is difficult to find, especially as each household has their own set of preferences. Some may prefer a cleaning and polishing solution in one, while others may prioritize convenience. Here are our top picks for commercially-available stainless steel cleaners that are guaranteed to get the grease and grime out of your kitchen sink!
#3 Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner Wipes
The Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner Wipes are convenient for those busy chefs on the go. They are pre-moistened wipes that contain cleaning agents, and are perfect to use in and around hard to reach areas. This stainless steel cleaner is great to keep around for a quick cleaning session, and will polish stainless steel appliances as well.
However, the downside is that the cleaning wipes tend to darken the color of the surface of your stainless steel, mostly due to the protective coating placed on the surface. Still, the Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaning Wipes is a convenient solution for sudden cleaning fixes.
#4 Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaning & Polishing Microfiber Cloth
For a chemical and solution-free cleaning, reach for the Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaning and Polishing Cloth that has two sides for different cleaning steps. The cleaning side features soft ribs that gently remove the grease, oils, and fingerprint smudges from your stainless steel sink, cookware, and appliances. The buffer side provides a stunning shine to clean stainless steel.
This microfiber cloth requires no aerosol spray or cleaning solution to polish stainless steel. However, it does not leave a protective coating, and is best for grease and oil stains instead of food stains. The microfiber cloth may not remove old stains as well without an added cleaning solution. This cleaning cloth is best for dry, grease-stained surfaces.
#5 Rock Doctor Stainless Steel Cleaner & Protectant
The Rock Doctor Stainless Steel Cleaner and Protectant is one of the best stainless steel cleaners for those stuck-on stains, burnt bits, and grill marks. This stainless steel cleaner provides an abrasive cleaning action that won't scratch or dull the surface. This is best used on outdoor grills, oven racks, and cookware that stood the test of your culinary adventures.
The stainless steel cleaner comes in a spray bottle that makes it convenient to apply and store. This stainless steel cleaner doubles as a polish, providing a protective barrier that resists fingerprints, and provides a polished shine to the surface of your stainless steel appliances.
#6 Magic Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish Aerosol
The Magic stainless steel cleaning spray has a cleaner, polisher, and protectant in one solution, making it the go-to cleaner for all your stainless steel kitchenware! Its convenient spray bottle makes it easy to apply the cleaner right onto stained areas, and the aerosol spray can seep into hard to reach areas for a thorough cleaning.
Reviews of the product attest to the cleaning power of the solution, as well as the stunning shine left behind by the protective barrier. However, as it leaves a protective layer over stainless steel surfaces, it is best to skip this cleaner when cleaning stainless steel cookware, plates, and other kitchenware that comes in direct contact with food.
Bring Back the Luster
Luce Home is your cleaning partner in bringing the shine back into your kitchen! Trust in us to get those tough stains out, and let us handle the work for you. Our experienced cleaners are adept in removing different household stains, so make cleaning a breeze with our tailored home maintenance and upkeep services!
Looking for more product reviews? Check out the other articles in our blog to know how your commercial cleaning solution stands out against the rest!
