Stainless steel appliances sure do give a kitchen an ultra-modern and edgy look. However, these very appliances tend to get dirty the most. So, if you want to learn how to clean them super easily, then continue reading!
Spots and fingerprints
- Assessing the grains of stainless steel
All stainless steel appliances have a surface texture or graining that runs either horizontally or vertically. It is quite like the graining on wood but running in a certain direction.
Whenever you are required to wipe the steel surface, make sure that your movements are in the same direction as the graining. A horizontal graining will need you to go from right to left and vice versa. On the other hand, a surface with vertical graining needs to be wiped from top to bottom. This is all to avoid streaking as much as possible, which will be a risk if you use random motions.
- Making a soap solution
Next, make a soap solution by combining 950 ml of warm water with 4-5 drops of mild dish soap. Mix them thoroughly so it creates a fizzy solution without blobs of soap in it. Avoid using harsh detergents which can be harmful for the stainless steel surface.
- Wiping
Lightly dampen a microfiber cloth with the soap solution. Squeeze out any extra soapy water and then use the cloth to wipe the surface of your appliance. Run the cloth along the same direction as the grain. Once you are done wiping, rinse away the soap as soon as possible, since it may dry up and leave soapy streaks. For best results, work in segments – wiping, rinsing and drying a certain part, then moving on to another part of the appliance.
- Rinsing
In order to do the rinsing, take a soft, clean cloth and dunk it in hot water. Wring out the water and then working in sections, wipe away the soap water. Use the same motions as before. Also, you may have to do this for a while but it is crucial that all of the soap is gone.
Your cloth will absorb the soapy liquid as you wipe. However, going back in with it may not be the best idea as you will transfer it all back onto the surface. So, in between the wiping, you can either squeeze the soapy water out or soak the cloth in hot water once more and then wring out the excess water. Then go back to rinsing.
- Drying
Once you are done wiping and rinsing each section, you will need to go back in with a dry, gentle cloth or towel and run it along the surface in the direction of the graining. Continue to do this till it dries, to prevent streaking. Appliances huge in size will require more dry cloths than smaller ones. Also, air-drying is definitely not an option unless you want spots and splotches on your appliance’s surface.
Polishing stainless steel
- Spraying vinegar
The first step will be to lightly mist the appliance with white vinegar using a spray bottle filled ¼ of its capacity. Remember not to spray so much that the liquid starts running down the surface.
- Wiping
Using a microfiber or soft cloth, wipe away the vinegar, moving in the same direction as the graining. Make sure the cloth is clean and that you have virtually wiped off all the vinegar. You will notice the spots, stains and dirt vanishing as you keep working. This is because vinegar is an excellent cleaning agent.
- Polishing
Polishing involves giving a light oil coat to the surface of the stainless steel appliance. Use mineral or olive oil, putting no more than a few droplets onto another soft, clean cloth. Smear the oil all across the surface by rubbing with the cloth.
Avoid adding excess oil which will lead the appliance to become and look oily. Instead, use little amounts and add a few more drops only if necessary. Blot away extra oil, in case you have added too much, using a different cloth.
