How to clean & polish stainless steel appliances

Ways to clean stainless steel appliances

When cleaning stainless steel appliances, the main goal is to create a shiny finish without stains and streaks. Always consult your appliance’s owner’s manual first, then try these methods for cleaning stainless steel appliances.

Shop Whirlpool^® Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Refrigerators

Whirlpool^® Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Refrigerators are sleek and can be easy to clean. Whirlpool brand offers models, such as this 4-door refrigerator, and others, like this French door model, in stainless steel finishes for a modern look and feel. Whirlpool brand also offers undercounter designs, such as this Whirlpool^® Undercounter Refrigerator, to store snacks and drinks.

How to remove stains from stainless steel

Brown stains and discoloration on stainless steel can be unsightly. A reliable paste of baking soda and warm water may help lift them. Follow these steps to get started:

• Mix baking soda and water: Stir ingredients together until they form a paste.

• Clean your surface: Gently rub paste into the stain in the direction of the grain with a soft cloth or paper towel. Allow to sit for two to three minutes.

• Rinse surface: Rinse with water or wipe with a damp cloth to lift any leftover cleaner.

• Make sure surface is dry: Buff with a dry microfiber towel to remove streaks, and be sure to dry thoroughly to help reduce as much streaking as possible.

Shop easy-to-clean cooktops from Whirlpool brand

Whirlpool^® Cooktops come in a variety of designs that can be cleaned without much hassle. Some gas models, like this stainless steel Whirlpool^® Cooktop, feature EZ-2-Lift^™ Hinged Cast-Iron Grates, which give you quick access to spills. The hinged design lets you wipe up underneath without removing them. For a more thorough clean, the grates are also dishwasher safe. Stainless steel cooktops can be easy to clean as well, sometimes responding to a paste of baking soda and water.

What are some good home remedies for cleaning stainless steel?

Both baking soda and vinegar can be used to clean stainless steel. Like baking soda, vinegar is also often effective at cleaning stainless steel since it’s natural and doesn’t have any harsh chemicals.

A mixture of vinegar and mineral oil is a great home solution to try—just use one part mineral oil to one part white vinegar and add essential oil drops to your preference if the smell of vinegar bothers you. Place the oil and vinegar mixture in a spray bottle, and spray on the stainless steel surface. With a clean cloth, wipe using short strokes and making sure to wipe away any residue.

What should you not use to clean stainless steel?

Avoid using any harsh chemicals or multi-purpose cleaners that contain bleach or ammonia on your stainless steel appliances, and only use a clean, microfiber cloth to wipe the surface. Steel brushes and steel wool pads should not be used since they can scratch the surface of your appliance.

Shop Whirlpool^® Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Appliances

In addition to refrigerators, Whirlpool brand offers a selection of fingerprint resistant stainless appliances, including cooktops, hoods, microwaves, ranges, wall ovens and dishwashers, which are specially designed to resist fingerprints and smudges to make cleaning your appliance’s surface a breeze.

These Whirlpool^® appliances are often available in two color options—traditional stainless and black stainless. Black is a bold alternative to the traditional stainless, with a sleek matte finish that offers protection against wear, fingerprints and smudges.

Whirlpool brand offers numerous other appliance colors and finishes. Find out which stainless steels are magnetic. If you're not sure which to choose, this guide to choosing appliance colors can help.