How to Polish Stainless Steel

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Though stainless steel is aptly named and rarely needs cleaning or polishing, regular care of your stainless steel items will extend their life and keeping them looking shiny and new. Follow these easy steps to polish stainless steel.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1

Use a soft cloth and warm water to clean the surface of your stainless steel item. If there is built up dirt and grime or heavy fingerprinting, use a mild dish soap to remove them without damaging the steel.

Step2

Dry the stainless steel completely with a soft, dry cloth. This will prevent the watermarks that form from the minerals in water.

Step3

Check to make sure your appliance or item can be polished with a stainless steel cleaner. Though most can accommodate commercial polishes, there are surfaces that can be damaged by the chemicals.

Step4

Apply a quality stainless steel cleaner and polish. Follow the manufacturer's directions closely. Typically, the polish is applied with a clean, non-abrasive cloth and rubbed in to minimize scratching and protect your item from daily wear and tear. Remove the polish with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel.

Tips & Warnings

Window cleaner is safe for most stainless steel surfaces and a great way to remove fingerprints between cleaning and polishing.
Do not use abrasive chemicals or materials when polishing your stainless steel. These can cause visible scratching and damage the item.
Make certain to rinse or wipe down your item well when finished polishing as the chemicals and water can leave behind watermarks and stains.
Do not use chlorine on stainless steel. It's properties cause corrosion and will damage your item.