Stainless steel is well known for being hardy and anti-rust despite daily wear and tear, making it an obvious choice for most modern kitchens. However, that doesn’t mean that rust, stains and damage never happen. Most stainless steel appliances have a protective film – and if this is scratched, it leaves the steel underneath vulnerable to damage from chemicals, water, and rough surfaces. If you’re worrying about maintaining your beautiful shiny stainless steel kitchen appliances, stress not, all it takes are a few tips to remember and these hacks to keep them bright and clean!
Find the grain
You might be surprised to learn that just like leather, stainless steel has a 'grain', which experts recommend you should follow when wiping or polishing your appliances. The grain runs either horizontally or vertically and has a “brushed” appearance. Finding it and rubbing or cleaning in the same direction will give your appliances extra shine.
What to Use
When it comes to what kind of cleaning supplies you need to get your stainless steel appliances sparkling, the list is long, but here’s a simple guide:
- For limescale, use diluted vinegar and a soft cloth to gently buff.
- For adhesives like sticky tape residue, use a little mild acetone solution (similar to nail polish remover) and wipe gently.
- For coffee or tea deposits, use a sprinkle of baking soda, allow it to absorb the deposit, and then simply wipe away.
- Microfiber cloths are the best since they do not scratch the surface of the appliance and absorb as much water as possible.
Shine it Up!
While scratch-removal is often best left to the experts, small scratches can often be removed with a simple home remedy – simply apply a thin layer of toothpaste to the small scratches and buff gently with a toothbrush. This gets off superficial and small surface scratches like a charm.
If you want your appliances to shine, a neat trick would be simply to apply a few drops of olive oil before wiping your stainless steel appliances down with a cloth. This gives it a great deep shine that will complete your kitchen’s modern, sleek look.