Some people might warn you not to buy stainless because the surface looks dirty so easily. But if you know how to clean stainless steel kitchen appliances properly then you can enjoy the sleek look. It does take a little more work than cleaning a white appliance but the pay off is worth it.
Use a Proper Stainless Steel Cleaner
Buy a cleaner that is specially designed for stainless steel. If you try to wash your stainless appliances with just soap and water you won’t get good results. We did this for years and we lived with spots and streaking when we didn’t have to. Whether you have a stainless fridge, dishwasher or stove, use a proper cleaner.
Proper cleaners have special gentle abrasives that get into the fine lines of the stainless and dissolve and clean away dirt and oils. Follow the instructions on your chosen cleaner carefully for best results. The product we have is fairly straightforward to use, and many brands have the same instructions.
For the brand we use, first you quickly wash and rinse the surface leaving some moisture on the surface. Next you apply the cleaner on a soft cloth or damp paper towel and rub over the whole area.
You might need some vigorous rubbing in areas where there are stubborn stains. You can make a light paste out of the cleaning powder with a bit of water to apply to stubborn stains if you need a little extra cleaning power. For appliance items that contain highly polished stainless steel surfaces you should dissolve the powder in water before applying to reduce any possible scratching.
Friends of ours gave us a tip which we haven’t tried yet. (We plan on trying it soon.) They suggested that after cleaning the stainless, apply a very thin film of baby oil onto the surface. Put a bit on a cloth and rub over the surface. This is supposed to help prevent the oils from fingerprints from showing so easily. Sounds easy enough so we will give it a try one day. I don’t know if the manufacturers would recommended this step or if it affects the steel in any way, so consider this step at your own risk. Oils from food and hands gets on the steel all the time so I can’t see why some baby oil would be harmful.
Even without this step, cleaning the appliances once every week or two will keep your stove, refrigerator and/or dishwasher looking great. The contemporary and sleek look is definitely worth it to people who appreciate it.