Best way to clean stainless steel fridge

If you spend any time in the kitchen, you should probably know how to clean stainless steel. Trust us, just because a material is called “stainless” doesn’t mean it can’t get dirty, and nothing makes a kitchen more unappetizing than appliances covered in smudges, grime, and other buildup.

For so many reasons, stainless-steel appliances—like microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, and ovens—are a great choice for the kitchen. You may even have countertops, sinks, or cookware made from the material, so it’s smart to learn how to clean stainless-steel pans as well. Not only does stainless steel look modern and sleek, but it can also make a kitchen feel more luxurious. On the other hand, the downside of the material is that it can get dirty fairly easily.

To help keep all of your stainless-steel surfaces spotless, we tapped Tim Conn, president and co-founder of Image One, a commercial cleaning company, and Ron Shimek, president of Mr. Appliance, a Neighborly company, for their best hacks and cleaning tips.

1. Assess the damage

“Stainless steel is like that sleek black car: beautiful when it’s clean and shiny, but often looks dull and dirty if it’s not properly maintained,” Conn says. Luckily, he explains, it’s easy to keep that showroom appeal if you know the proper techniques.

When it comes to stainless steel, not all messes are the same, meaning not all cleaning methods will be the same either. Smudges and hard water stains may come off pretty easily with a simple wipe down, whereas caked-on food or other more intense buildup may require a more serious product—and more elbow grease on your part. So make sure you know what you’re up against before grabbing all of your supplies.

​2. Prep your supplies

It goes without saying that you’ll need some cleaning products in order to get clean stainless-steel appliances. Luckily you’ve got a few choices, both tried-and-true DIY solutions and reputable store-bought products.

For a simple DIY cleaning solution, you’ll need white vinegar, lemon juice, and tap water. “Fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and white vinegar,” Shimek explains. You can add a few drops of lemon juice to make the mixture smell better. After you’ve made your solution, be sure to grab some olive oil, dish liquid, and microfiber cloths because you’ll be using those too.

For really tough grime, like caked-on grease, you may need to explore different methods. Stock up on either a store-bought stainless-steel cleaner or some baking soda.

No matter what cleaning solution you choose, there are a few things you should always avoid. Don’t use steel wool, scouring powders, ammonia, or bleach on your kitchen appliances—they can all be just a little too intense and damage the finish. The same goes if you’re wondering how to clean a stainless-steel sink. “No matter how grimy your appliances are, these abrasive cleaning products will only make matters worse by leaving scratches behind,” Shimek says.

3. Go with the grain

When cleaning stainless steel, there is one general rule: wipe along the direction of the grain. You’ll want to spray your vinegar and water solution onto the surface then wipe following the material’s grain. It’s usually fairly easy to spot the linear grain, but if your appliance is giving you a hard time, Shimek has a simple solution. “Try rubbing the appliance with a clean microfiber cloth both horizontally and vertically,” he says, “In doing so, you’ll then feel a resistance when the cloth runs in the opposite direction and will, of course, glide smoothly when placed in the correct direction.”

Best way to clean stainless steel fridge

Stainless steel appliances look and feel great in your kitchen. Its smooth, matte finish gives your kitchen a sleek and expensive appearance while its non-porous surface is resistant to bacterial growth – adding to its overall appeal.

On top of that, stainless steel is well known for being hardy and anti-rust despite daily wear and tear, making it an obvious choice for most modern kitchens. However, that doesn’t mean that rust, stains and damage never happen. Most stainless steel appliances have a protective film and if this is scratched, it leaves the steel underneath vulnerable to damage from chemicals, water, and rough surfaces. If you’re worrying about maintaining your beautiful shiny stainless steel kitchen appliances, stress not, all it takes are a few tips to remember and these hacks to keep them bright and clean!

Find the Grain

You might be surprised to learn that just like leather, stainless steel has a 'grain', which experts recommend you should follow when wiping or polishing your appliances. The grain runs either horizontally or vertically and has a “brushed” appearance. Finding it and rubbing or cleaning in the same direction will give your appliances extra shine.

What to Avoid

Experts say you should avoid using these cleaning solutions:

1. Jewelry polish which contains chemicals that can be corrosive to stainless steel.

2. Any product containing chloride or chlorine bleach.

3. Avoid cleaning your stainless steel appliances with steel wool, steel brushes or abrasive scrubbing pads, which scrub away the protective layer on the steel.

4. Try not to clean your stainless steel appliance when it’s hot or warm, but wait until it’s cool to your touch.

What to Use

When it comes to what kind of cleaning supplies you need to get your stainless steel appliances sparkling, the list is long, but here’s a simple guide:

1. For limescale, use diluted vinegar and a soft cloth to gently buff.

2. For adhesives like sticky tape residue, use a little mild acetone solution (similar to nail polish remover) and wipe gently.

3. For coffee or tea deposits, use a sprinkle of baking soda, allow it to absorb the deposit, and then simply wipe away.

4. Microfiber cloths are the best since they do not scratch the surface of the appliance and absorb as much water as possible.

Shine it Up!

While scratch-removal is often best left to the experts, small scratches can often be removed with a simple home remedy – simply apply a thin layer of toothpaste to the small scratches and buff gently with a toothbrush. This gets off superficial and small surface scratches like a charm.

If you want your appliances to shine, a neat trick would be simply to apply a few drops of olive oil before wiping your stainless steel appliances down with a cloth. This gives it a great deep shine that will complete your kitchen’s modern, sleek look.

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How do you clean a stainless steel refrigerator without streaks?

Look for striations in the stainless steel finish running vertically or horizontally. This is the grain. Using a soft, dry cloth, wipe the cleaner in the direction of the grain. If you're using a dish soap solution, rinse it off with a soft, damp cloth.

How do I keep my stainless steel fridge shiny?

Stainless Steel Appliance Cleaning Don'ts Never wipe stainless steel against the metal's grain. Always wipe with the grain to prevent streaking. Try not to allow your stainless steel appliances to air dry after cleaning. Buffing them with a clean microfiber cloth minimizes streaks and spots and restores the shine.

What should you not use on stainless steel?

7 Cleaning Products You Should Never Use on Stainless Steel.
Harsh abrasives..
Scouring powders..
Steel wool..
Bleach and other chlorine products..
Glass cleaners that contain ammonia, such as Windex..
Tap water, especially if yours tends to be hard water (use clean distilled or filtered H2O instead).
Oven cleaners..

Can I use Windex on my stainless steel appliances?

If all you're dealing with are those smudgy fingerprints, you can give your stainless steel appliances a quick touch-up using glass cleaner. Brands like Windex will do just fine, here. Once again, spray the solution onto your cleaning rag and apply it to the smudgy areas on your appliances using a circular motion.