How to Remove Stains From Stainless Steel Appliances
- 1). Identify what caused the stain (dirt, dust, grease, fingerprints, or something else). Different types of stains may require different cleaning treatments, but many stains will clean away immediately with an application of only a warm damp cloth or paper towel. Warm, clean water and a soft cloth should always be the first choice when cleaning stains from stainless steel.
- 2). Determine the severity of the staining. If the stainless steel appliance shows heavy staining or evidence of long-term neglect, use a non-abrasive household cleaner or a cleaning agent designed specifically for stainless steel (i.e. Bartender's Friend or Bon Ami). Purchase specialty stainless steel cleaning agents at most local hardware and appliance stores. Ideally, the clean agent solvent will not contain acetone, chlorine or mineral spirits.
- 3). Read the appliance manufacturer's instructions for how to clean the stainless steel before you use any cleaning agent other than simple warm water, and test the cleaning agent on a small, inconspicuous area of the appliance before applying it to the main, visible surfaces.