How to clean stainless steel: 13 safe ways and essential care

On the stove, refrigerator, pans, cutlery… Stainless steel is present in most homes, whether in furniture, appliances, or in utensils and objects in general.

There are many reasons for this: Rose Moraes, personal organizer and consultant at Kiiro Organiza e Simplifica, comments that stainless steel has a chrome coating that gives the environment an air of sophistication and modernity. “The material is still one of the most resistant, in addition to being sustainable as it has a long shelf life and does not require the use of chemical products for cleaning (and thus does not harm the environment)”, she adds.

Rose explains that the chromium film is responsible for the stainless steel’s resistance to oxidation and rust. Therefore, this type of material requires special care when cleaning. Otherwise, the stainless steel will be susceptible to scratches and stains.

Check out the main guidelines on how to clean stainless steel and tips to keep your stainless steel products for much longer!

1. Water + detergent for routine cleaning

Rose points out that the best products for routine cleaning of stainless steel are water and mild, neutral detergents, associated with the use of a microfiber cloth or nylon sponge (always soft part).

Step by step: make a slightly concentrated solution of neutral detergent with warm water and apply it with the aid of a microfiber cloth or nylon sponge with firm and uniform movements, ensuring that the entire surface is covered. After this procedure, rinse immediately, before the solution dries, pass a damp cloth, and finish drying with an absorbent cloth. “Don’t forget to dry all the pieces well, to avoid the stains left by water droplets”, adds the personal organizer.

2. Baking soda + alcohol for moderate dirt

Rose explains that when routine cleaning (water + detergent) is not enough, the tip is to dissolve baking soda in household alcohol.

Step by step: mix the two ingredients to form a paste. Then, using a soft cloth or nylon sponge, wipe the stainless steel surface. “If you prefer, also use a soft bristle brush, with long and uniform passes, in the direction of the polished finish, if any. Avoid rubbing with circular movements as they can cause irreversible damage”, adds the personal organizer. Then just rinse with plenty of water, preferably lukewarm, and dry with a soft cloth.

3. Vinegar + bicarbonate + alcohol for heavy dirt

For heavier cleaning, the personal organizer’s tip is to also use white alcohol vinegar, in addition to baking soda and homemade alcohol.

Step by step: mix the ingredients, dilute the mixture in warm water and, with a soft microfiber cloth or a nylon kitchen sponge (with the soft/yellow part), apply the mixture on the stainless steel. At the end of cleaning, rinse with plenty of water, preferably lukewarm, and dry with a soft cloth.

4. Baking soda + water for polishing stainless steel parts

Rose explains that a paste made with just baking soda and water can be used to polish and clean stainless steel parts, which will be shiny and stain-free! This goes for every item with stainless steel, including the stove.

Step by step: Make a paste using baking soda and a little water and gently rub it into the desired location using a microfiber cloth or the yellow (soft) part of the sponge. Then remove with water.

5. Solution with bicarbonate to remove food remains

Rose explains how to remove burnt and encrusted food leftovers from stainless steel utensils using only hot water and bicarbonate.

Step by step: soak the utensils in a solution with two tablespoons of baking soda and 500 ml of water. “Another way to remove stubborn dirt is to make a paste of baking soda and alcohol and use a soft brush to spread the paste in the direction of polishing the utensils”, he adds.

6. Baking soda to clean baking sheets

Does your stainless steel roast already have some burnt spots?! Baking soda can, once again, be an ally, according to Rose.

Step by step: you can cover the burnt area of ​​the roast with baking soda, moisten with water and let it act for about two hours. The dirt will come out effortlessly and will still leave the treated part shining. “This form of cleaning can be used on aluminum, stainless steel and glass parts, as well as cleaning faucets”, says the personal organizer.

7. Vegetable oil for shine

Rose points out that using vegetable oil is nice for those who want to give their fridge or stainless steel stove an extra shine.

Step by step: after cleaning and drying, take a dry cloth and moisten a tip with cooking oil (without smearing it) and shine the appliances in question with circular movements.

8. Vinegar + water to clean pans

Most people already recognize that vinegar is an excellent cleaning product. Rose highlights that it is potent because it has a high concentration of acetic acid, which degreases, disinfects, adds shine and eliminates odors. “The most suitable for cleaning purposes is alcohol white, as it is neutral and without dyes”, she says.

Step by step: to clean stainless steel pans, add water and four tablespoons of vinegar, bring this mixture to a boil. Wait for it to cool down and then wash the pans again only with water and neutral detergent.

9. Vinegar to remove grease from the stove

Rose comments that, after frying, generally, even with detergent, the fat takes a long time to come out. This is where vinegar can help!

Step by step: put a little vinegar on the fat of the stove or frying pan and leave it for about 15 minutes before you start cleaning. Then just rub with mild soap and a sponge.

10. Vinegar to remove stains

Vinegar can be used alone to remove some stains, even those left by water, which often fall and stain the stove.

Step by step: wet a microfiber cloth with vinegar and pass it on the stainless steel piece. Then rinse well and dry with a soft cloth. “The tip is even valid for cleaning stainless steel hoods. You can first wipe with an ammonia-based degreasing product, rinse and then wipe with a cloth soaked in vinegar. To finish, pass again a cloth with water”, guides Rose.

11. Lemon for efficient cleaning

Rose explains that, like baking soda, lemon juice can be used to clean stainless steel as it is naturally acidic, which makes it effective for cleaning.

Step by step: moisten a soft cloth with lemon juice and pass it on the steel to remove residue. Rinse with water and then dry the surface with a dry towel.

12. Vaseline to prevent stains

Rose explains that Vaseline can be used to help prevent stainless steel surfaces from getting riddled with fingerprints. “It allows a thin layer of wax to form that will serve to keep surfaces free of grease stains,” she says.

Step by step: using a soft cloth, apply liquid Vaseline on the already clean and dry place, always with gentle movements.

13. Olive oil to keep pans cleaner

Olive oil can be used in stainless steel pans to keep them cleaner and make routine cleaning easier, according to Rose.

Step by step: spray pans with oil spray before cooking. This prevents the food from sticking, making cleaning up much easier later on.

Good tips for cleaning your stainless steel products you already have… But check out below the necessary care in everyday life with this material!

Tips for preserving your stainless steel objects and furniture

In order for stainless steel products to have a long shelf life, some care is essential. Check out the main tips from personal organizer Rose:

• Never use steel wool to clean stainless steel, as these scratch the piece irreversibly.
• Use microfiber cloths or paper towels for cleaning and finishing.
• Clean stainless steel parts frequently so that dirt and grease are removed more easily.
• Do not wait more than six hours between the end of use and the cleaning of the stainless steel, as after this period, cleaning will be difficult and, in some cases, the damage may be irreversible.
• Never use aluminum foil to cover stainless steel parts.
• When cleaning on stoves, always wait for the nozzles and the oven to cool before starting any type of cleaning.
• Always dry the stainless steel, this is also extremely important to avoid the appearance of stains on the surface.
• Store stainless steel utensils and/or objects in a safe place and away from dust.
• When storing, do not stack stainless steel pans, which can scratch each other.
• One option is to hang the pans, thus preventing them from being scratched, while giving an extra touch of decoration to the kitchen.
• In stainless steel pans, use only silicone or wooden cutlery when cooking.
• Avoid leaving very salty foods on stainless steel surfaces, as salt is a substance that can corrode stainless steel.

With basic care and a few cleaning tricks, your stainless steel products tend to last a long time, making them sustainable as well as useful options for your home!