How to Clean a Stainless Steel Fridge

Contributor

By Michelle Powell-Smith
eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating:

(4 Ratings)

A stainless steel refrigerator offers a clean, modern look for your kitchen. Many are quite energy efficient. Most of these are very well designed to optimize the space available for food storage. Learning how to clean your stainless steel appliances will help you keep your kitchen clean, avoid unnecessary wear and make routine home maintenance easier. One of the most irritating issues posed by stainless steel kitchen appliances is the problem with fingerprints. Certain cleaning products and strategies can prevent this. Keep your stainless steel refrigerator beautiful by using these tips.

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Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Microfiber cleaning cloths
Rubbing alcohol
Stainless steel cleaner
Stainless steel polish, petroleum jelly or WD-40
Mineral oil
All purpose cleaner
Sponges or cleaning rags

Step 1

Clean the inside of the stainless steel fridge as you would any other refrigerator. Empty the food. Wash all surfaces. Dry thoroughly. Put any shelves or bins back in place.
Step 2

Use straight rubbing alcohol on a microfiber cloth to clean the exterior of your stainless steel refrigerator. Rubbing alcohol works well, and it does not leave streaks. Expect the finish of your stainless steel to look dull after this step.
Step 3

Apply an oil based product. You can purchase stainless steel polishes--like Sheila Shine--or use petroleum jelly, mineral oil or WD-40. Any of these products will restore the shine and protect the surface of your stainless steel fridge.
Step 4

Buff the surface with the polish or oil until the surface is shiny. Do this until the cloth comes away dry from the refrigerator. Buffing a polish or oil based product into the stainless steel will help prevent fingerprints from showing. That will keep the surfaces looking clean longer.
Step 5

Enjoy your shiny stainless steel refrigerator. Use a cloth with a bit of mineral oil to touch up fingerprints if needed between thorough cleanings.