Cleaning Brushed Stainless Steel Appliances

Dirt, fingerprints and other marks show up fairly easily on brushed stainless steel appliances. Dirty brushed stainless steel appliances, such as ranges, refrigerators, washers and dryers, can make an otherwise clean room look messy. Once the appliances are clean, however, they will make the room look nice.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clean cloths
• Feather duster
• White vinegar
• Bucket
• Flannel cloth
• Mineral or baby oil
• Gloves

1. Wipe the visible parts of the appliance with a soft cloth daily to remove any free dust or debris. Keep your touch light as brushed stainless steel shows even light scratches.

2. Unplug the appliance. This is especially important if you are going to clean the top or back of the appliance as the cord may get damp or wet. Use a feather duster or equivalent to gently remove dust from the coils or vents of the appliance.

3. Mix 1 gallon of warm water with 1 cup of white vinegar in a bucket. Dip a clean, soft cloth into the mixture, wring it out and wipe the appliance with it. This may leave streaking.

4. Buff the appliance using a soft flannel cloth to remove any streaks left by the vinegar and water mixture.

5. Shine and protect the appliance using pure mineral oil, which can be found in the laxatives section of many drug stores or mass merchant stores, or baby oil once every two weeks. Pour a little of the oil onto a clean cloth and wipe down the appliance with the cloth. Add more oil as needed. This will shine the appliance and provides a barrier to keep dirt, debris and fingerprints from settling into the stainless steel.

Tips & Warnings

• You can find aerosol stainless steel cleaners at many stores. These are okay to use in lieu of the vinegar and water if the appliance is in a well-ventilated area. If you use an aerosol, wear a ventilating mask or surgical mask so you won't inhale the fumes. Use caution if you use these around pets or children.
• Wear rubber gloves when you clean the stainless steel appliance so you don't leave any fingerprints or smudges on the appliance.
• Never scrub a brushed stainless steel appliance, as brushed stainless steel scratches easily.