What can i use to clean my stainless steel refrigerator

Q: Can I use Windex on my stainless steel appliances?

If all youre 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.

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.

Table of Contents Show

1. Assess the damage
2. Prep your supplies
3. Go with the grain
Thing’s You’ll Need
References
About This Article
Reader Success Stories
Did this article help you?
How do you clean the outside of a stainless steel refrigerator?
Can I use Windex on my stainless steel appliances?
What is the best home remedy to clean stainless steel?
What should you not use on stainless steel?

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.”

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A stainless steel fridge can turn your kitchen into a modern heaven, but cleaning it can sometimes get tricky. Follow this advice as you attempt to get rid of streaks, spots, hand prints, and the like, and you’ll figure out how to clean a stainless steel fridge in no time.

1
Choose a nonabrasive cleaning cloth. Stainless steel scratches easily, and even a mild kitchen scrubbing pad will mar the surface.[1]
- Use a microfiber cloth. They work better than lint-free cotton because they leave less fibrous material on the surface of the stainless steel
- Clean and shine your refrigerator with paper towels. If you want a super, non- streak shine, first clean the surface with the microfiber cloth and your favorite cleaning agent, and then wipe down the refrigerator with paper towels.
2
Clean with the grain. You may have to look closely to see the grain, but you will be able to detect which way the grain is going. Rubbing against the grain, even with a microfiber cloth, will leave permanent scratches on the surface of your appliance.[2]

1
Use plain water. This is the cheapest method for cleaning your refrigerator, but stubborn stains and fingerprints will require extra rubbing or the addition of a few drops of dishwashing liquid soap. If you use soap, you will have to rinse off the surface with clear, hot water before you dry it with a paper towel. (Dry it quickly so that it doesn’t streak.)[3]
2
Clean with oil. Any vegetable oil, including olive oil, will clean stainless steel. You can also use baby oil; cleaning with oil does require extra drying to soak up the oil, this cleaning method leaves a very glossy shine but a darker shade.[4]
3
Try white vinegar and water on your appliance. Mix the two together in a spray bottle, using 3 parts white vinegar and 1 part water. Spray on your refrigerator and wipe it down with paper towels. Vinegar is excellent at cutting through greasy fingerprints.[5]
4
Use commercial cleaners. Some people prefer the convenience of glass cleaning products and products that are sold specifically for cleaning stainless steel appliances.

Add New Question

Question
I cleaned my stainless steel refrigerator with Cerma Bryte Brightener, thinking it was the polish, and it is streaky now. What can I do?

Use Weiman stainless steel wipes or spray. Follow up with a dry, microfiber cloth.
Question
What's the best cloth to use when cleaning stainless steel appliances?

Use a microfiber cloth, something very soft. In a pinch, use an old t-shirt or underwear.
Question
I cleaned my stainless steel refrigerator with stainless steel cleaner. How do I get rid of the smears?

I use apple cider vinegar and my fridge is totally spotless. Spray a clean cloth with the vinegar, wipe the fridge, then use another clean cloth to wipe it again. The results are amazing.

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Club soda works quite well on stainless steel, but many people don’t like to use it because it is messy.
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Vinegar can also be used undiluted; splash some on your microfiber cloth and rub with the grain. The smell is much stronger when used full strength, but the odor dissipates quickly.
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Vegetable oil, baby oil or any commercial cleaner containing oil will give the best shine, but the surface of the refrigerator will attract dust and dirt faster than if you use a non-oily product.

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Some commercial cleaners can harm your floors. As a precaution, cover the floor surrounding the refrigerator with towels or an old rug before you spray a cleaner on the refrigerator.
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Use gloves to protect your hands from chemicals in commercial cleaners.
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Thing’s You’ll Need

Microfiber cloth
Paper towels
Commercial cleaners (optional)

References

About This Article

Article SummaryX

To clean a stainless steel refrigerator, start by spraying it with a mixture of white vinegar and water, and wiping it down with paper towels. Then, rinse the surface with clean, hot water before drying it off. Make sure to use a microfiber cloth for cleaning, and rub with the grain of the steel so you don’t scratch the surface. Additionally, dry your refrigerator with paper towels to give it a nice shine. For tips on how to use olive oil or baby oil to clean your refrigerator, scroll down!

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Reader Success Stories

"Cool video, this has made up my mind in buying a stainless steel fridge/freezer. It's worth the effort to clean,..." more

Did this article help you?

How do you clean the outside of a stainless steel refrigerator?

Stainless Steel Cleaning Tips Step 1: Dip a soft cloth in warm water mixed with a mild dish detergent. Wipe the surface, rinse the cloth and wipe again, then dry with a towel to prevent water spots. Step 2: If you still see fingerprints, spray a glass cleaner onto a soft cloth and wipe fingerprints away.

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.

What is the best home remedy to clean stainless steel?

Vinegar is safe to use on stainless steel and helps remove oil and grime. Fill a reusable spray bottle with a combination of 1:1 white vinegar and water. Spritz it on, and wipe it off — no need to rinse!