Best natural ways to clean your stainless-steel appliances

No matter grease, water stains or fingerprints, we at Smarthome have some tips and tricks to share. Stainless-steel appliances have many advantages, they are robust, versatile, and mostly very easy to clean. Here are a few things to keep in mind though: In kitchen things can get wet and especially harder than normal water can leave water spots. In a similar fashion, grease build-ups are common in a well-used kitchen and so are fingerprints. We have compiled a list of the best way to keep your favorite appliances clean and last even longer.

Water stains:

1. White Vinegar

To remove stains with this method you’ll need some white vinegar, a soft cloth, and a spraying bottle. Micro-fiber cloths work the best but even a paper towel will do the job. Apply vinegar directly on the spot and let it sit for 5-10 min. Gently wipe with your cloth along the stainless-steel’s grain and then repeat until the spot is removed.

2. Rubbing alcohol

Using rubber alcohol is another DIY at-home method that reliably removes water stains. Simply apply generous amounts of rubbing alcohol (also called isopropyl alcohol) on a soft cloth or paper towel and gently rub the water spots. Since the alcohol will evaporate, there is no need to rinse your appliance afterwards.

3. Olive oil

Over time your stainless-steel appliances can lose their beautiful shine and water stains are the main reason. To get rid of the stains and at the same time restore the stainless-steel’s shine olive oil is a real powerhouse. Apply the olive oil to a cloth and rub your appliance along the grain. After the stains are gone and your product looks as good as new, use a dry, clean cloth to wipe of any residual oil.

4. Baking soda and lime juice

This method is a little neat trick if you’re dealing with larger surfaces like stainless-steel kitchen tops or large sinks. Drip lemon juice on the surface (use a spray bottle if available) and let sit for about 5 min then follow up by sprinkling a thin layer of baking soda. Wait for the chemical reaction between the 2 ingredients to make the mix fizzy. To finish, simply wipe the area with a clean, damp cloth. Repeat this process until all the lemon juice and baking soda mix is removed and let dry.

Grease stains and fingerprints

1. Soap and water

The easiest and probably most convenient way to deal with grease stains in the kitchen is liquid dish soap since its designed to be tough on fat. Pour a little dish soap into a bowl with warm water and mix until bubbly, then dip a soft cloth or paper towel into the mixture and scrub the stainless-steel along its grain. Repeat this process until you got all the spots removed, then wipe it down with a clean cloth and rinse with warm water.

2. Baking soda and vinegar

This is a real heavy-duty solution that can tackle even burnt-in grease stains. To start, combine equal parts of baking soda and vinegar in a bowl. The mix should form a paste. You can use a spoon or cloth to apply the past on the greasy area and wait for at least 15 min for our mix to do the magic. Use a sponge or soft brush and scrub along the stainless-steels grain. Rinse off and repeat the process if needed. This method will leave your appliances looking as good as new.

3. Baby oil

Just when you think everything is lost and that you can’t get rid of some persistent grease stains, you can try to restore some of the shine of your stainless-steel with baby oil. Baby oil can be an amazing finisher on stainless-steel but also dilutes the oils that make up your grease stains. Use a cloth or paper towel and polish your appliance by rubbing along the grain. Repeat until you’re satisfied. In the end, buff the oil off with a dry cloth and enjoy your once again shiny home appliance.