Guide to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances
Your kitchen is where you create your family’s favourite meals and tackle challenging new recipes. No matter what you’re making, cooking and baking is a messy process. There’s no way around it.
Read this guide that covers the steps to clean various stainless steel appliances, so you can have a spotless space that inspires your next culinary creation.
2 METHODS TO CLEAN YOUR STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES
There are two proven approaches to cleaning your stainless steel appliances.
The first method is to use a microfiber cloth and a non-abrasive appliance cleaning product like affresh®. The second is with a soft sponge and warm, soapy water.
1: USE A STAINLESS STEEL CLEANER
If grime is the culprit, you should use a stainless steel cleaner like affresh® cooktop cleaner and two clean microfiber cloths. Start by spraying the cleaner on your appliance’s surface and then wipe in the direction of the grain until it’s spotless.
PRO TIP : affresh® cooktop cleaner is recommended by KitchenAid brand.
2: USE SOAPY WATER
For this method, you’ll need two soft, nonabrasive cloths and a solution of warm water and dish soap.
Using a cloth dampened in the solution, clean your appliance’s surface along the grain. Then, dampen another clean cloth with only warm water and wipe the surface in the direction of the grain before drying it entirely.
PRO TIP : Remember to always wipe in the direction of the grain regardless of whether you’re cleaning or drying.
It’s recommended to never use abrasive cleaning tools such as rough towels, steel wool pads or paper towels. Also, avoid using any acidic, citrus or vinegar-based cleaning supplies or powders.
HOW TO CLEAN FINGERPRINT-RESISTANT STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES?
A fingerprint-resistant coating is available on certain stainless steel appliances, including this KitchenAid® refrigerator with PrintShield™ finish, and can only be cleaned using a combination of warm water, mild soap and a microfiber cloth. The job is done only when the surface is completely dry.
With fingerprint-resistant appliances, never use polish, stainless steel cleaners or abrasive products like window sprays or scouring cleansers, as these can harm the specialized coating. Furthermore, never clean your appliances with newspaper or paper towels, as they can possibly scratch or dull the surface.
STEPS TO CLEAN YOUR STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES
Follow these steps to clean your stainless steel appliances and learn what tools and supplies you'll need to get the job done.
Start by gathering these tools and supplies:
SUPPLIES
Water
Dish soap
Stainless steel spray cleaner (optional)
TOOLS
Soft sponge (optional)
Two microfiber cloths
STEP 1: FIND THE DIRECTION OF YOUR APPLIANCE’S GRAIN
You must always wipe along the grain of the appliance’s surface and never against it. Wiping against the grain may leave streaks, smudges and marks.
Locate the direction of the grain by noting if the lines are either horizontal or vertical on the appliance’s surface.
- Wipe from left to right for horizontal grain.
- Wipe downward for vertical grain.
STEP 2: REMOVE STAINS, DEPOSITS OR GRIME
Using warm water, dampen a clean microfiber cloth and then wipe along the grain to eliminate any noticeable stains, deposits or grime.
STEP 3: CHOOSE A CLEANING METHOD
If you choose to use soap and water, create a mixture that consists of one quart of water and a teaspoon of dish soap. Dampen a cloth or a clean, soft sponge in the mixture and wipe the surface along the grain.
If you opt for a stainless steel spray cleaner, the first step is to spray in an 'S' motion. Next, wipe with a dry, lint-free microfiber cloth along the grain.
STEP 4: THOROUGHLY DRY STAINLESS STEEL SURFACES
Thoroughly dry the stainless steel surface to get rid of any streaks and give it a nice gleaming look.
Stainless Steel Cleaning FAQs
WHAT TO AVOID WHEN CLEANING A STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCE?
You should never use harsh chemicals or abrasive products, including:
Citrus-based cleaners
Powder cleaners
Vinegar or vinegar-based products
Ammonia
Newspaper
Rough-textured cloths
Paper towels
Steel wool pads
The best bet is to simply clean with a mild soap, warm water and a soft microfiber cloth. This is especially true when cleaning fingerprint-resistant stainless steel.
HOW TO GET RID OF FINGERPRINTS FROM STAINLESS STEEL?
To get rid of stubborn fingerprints from a stainless steel appliance, use a soft, clean cloth and a solution comprised of warm water and soap. Sticking to the steps outlined earlier will help you achieve glimmering appliances.
HOW TO CLEAN BLACK STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES?
Clean black stainless appliances with a soft clean cloth and warm, soapy water. If you’re dealing with tough stains and heavy soil, consider using a brand-approved stainless steel cleaner.
Only use soap and water with a microfiber cloth if your appliance features a fingerprint-resistant coating.
IS VINEGAR HARMFUL TO STAINLESS STEEL?
Vinegar has traditionally been a great cleaning solution, but it can be harmful to a stainless steel appliance. Instead of vinegar, use warm, soapy water or a stainless steel cleaner like Affresh® Cooktop Cleaner.
SHOP KITCHENAID®STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES
Upgrade your kitchen’s style with black stainless steel or fingerprint-resistant stainless steel appliances. KitchenAid® Premium Appliances deliver a winning mix of style and functionality to help tap into your creativity. Discover the ideal suite of appliances to complement your style of making.
SHOP CLEANING PRODUCTS RECOMMENDED BY KITCHENAID
Maintain the sleek look of your KitchenAid® appliance with cleaning products designed to deliver stunning results.
