How to Clean Stainless Steel With Mayonnaise

Stainless steel kitchen and appliances

Mayonnaise is growing in popularity as a green cleaning ingredient. This common household condiment works well against glue residues, tar, pitch, grease and other stains. Mayonnaise is not recommended for the general cleaning of stainless steel as it can have a corrosive effect and leave a white stain. It can be used for spot cleaning if you are trying to remove glues, tar, pitch or grease as long as it is followed immediately by other cleaning ingredients to neutralize the effects.

Things You'll Need

• Mayonnaise
• Clean rag
• Distilled white vinegar
• Water
• Spritz bottle
• Very fine Scotchbrite pad

Instructions

1. Apply mayonnaise to tar, pitch or hard glue residues by placing mayonnaise on a clean rag and moistening the stain directly. The mayonnaise will break down the tacky features of the stain and allow you to float the rest off of the surface.

2. Mix distilled white vinegar and water 50/50 in a spritzing bottle and spritz the area where the mayonnaise has been used.

3. Wipe off the vinegar and water immediately. Apply a very fine Scotchbrite pad to the area to remove any white stains left by the mayonnaise or vinegar.

Tips & Warnings

• Always clean with the grain of your stainless steel. While steel isn't wood, often steel is brushed or polished in a direction. Your cleaning should follow the same direction.

• Do not let steel flatware sit in mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, vinegar or other corrosive products as this may damage the finish on your flatware.

References

• Yankee Magazine: Make Your Own Cleaning Supplies
• Keidel.com: Stainless Steel