How to Clean Stainless Steel Refrigerators & Dishwashers

Frequently cleaning stainless steel appliances will keep them free of streaks and fingerprints.

Stainless steel refrigerators and dishwashers must be cleaned regularly, just like any other kitchen appliance. Fingerprints and water marks show more on stainless steel appliances, however, and it is important to clean them frequently. Many ordinary household substances work well for cleaning, provided they are applied using cloths that won't scratch the steel.

Things You'll Need

• Clean, lint-free rags
• Depending on your preferred method, one or more of the following:
• Baking soda
• Mild dish soap
• Olive oil or baby oil
• White vinegar
• Ammonia
• Club soda

Instructions

Baking Soda

1. Fill a small bowl with warm water. Add enough baking soda to form a thick paste. Use three parts baking soda to one part water. Stir the ingredients with a spoon until a paste forms.

2. Dip a soft sponge into the bowl and scoop up a moderate amount of the paste. Wipe down the dishwasher and refrigerator with the baking soda paste.

3. Wipe off the baking soda mixture with a soft, lint-free rag and plain water. Buff the surface dry with a clean rag.

Dish Soap

1. Fill the kitchen sink with warm water. Add a few squirts of mild dish soap to the water. Stir the mixture around with your hands to form soap suds.

2. Dip a soft, lint-free rag into the water. Wring out the rag well.

3. Wipe down the stainless steel refrigerator and dishwasher with the rag and soapy water. Rinse the appliances with a rag and plain water. Buff with a dry cloth to remove any streaks.

Oil

1. Moisten a soft, lint-free rag with olive oil or baby oil. Use only about a quarter-sized amount on the rag at one time.

2. Wipe down the refrigerator and dishwasher with the oil. Not only will the oil clean and shine the appliances, it will also help to cover up any scratches.

3. Wipe over the refrigerator and dishwasher with a dry paper towel to spread in the oil.

Vinegar or Ammonia

1. Fill an empty spray bottle with undiluted white vinegar or household ammonia. Both products work well at removing fingerprints from stainless steel.

2. Spray down the refrigerator and dishwasher with the solution.

3. Wipe the appliances with a soft, lint-free rag.

Club Soda

1. Dampen a soft, lint-free rag with club soda. Club soda works well at removing streaks from stainless steel.

2. Wipe down the refrigerator and dishwasher with the rag dampened with club soda.

3. Go over the surfaces with a dry paper towel to remove any excess moisture.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid using abrasive cleaners or sponges as they can mar the stainless steel surface.

• Always wipe down the stainless steel appliances along the grain.

• Glass cleaner or stainless steel cleaner are additional products that work well for cleaning stainless steel appliances.

• Do not use bleach when cleaning stainless steel.

References

• Tip Nut: How To Clean Stainless Steel Appliances: Tips
• Mrs. Clean USA: How To Clean Stainless Steel