How to clean stainless steel appliances

FOR people who own stainless steel appliances, how annoying is it to find streaks on what you thought was a clean appliance? If you are over it and want some tips on how to avoid this, read on to find out some easy tips on how to clean them and avoid the streaks once and for all.

How do you clean stainless steel appliances?

Stainless steel can be a real pain to clean and maintain for a variety of reasons as most know. Not only do they require being cleaned in a specific way, but should you deviate from their special needs, you'll likely be left with ghastly streaks. To top it off, stainless steel is a pretty sensitive material and if you don't take extra care, you can scratch it while cleaning and end up with long-term damage or even needing to replace your appliance. And, as Linda Mason Hunter, the author of GREEN CLEAN: The Environmentally Sound Guide to Cleaning Your Home, explains there are many techniques and products that will do more harm than good.

She says: "Avoid using harsh abrasives, scouring powders, steel wool, bleach, and ammonia, all of which can damage the finish." But thankfully, there are a few simple cleaning hacks - plus some unlikely hero products - that are easy to implement to ensure your kitchenware is always looking its best. Nowadays it is pretty easy to go onto social media and find an expert opinion for whatever question you might have. One such expert is Tanya who posts videos on TikTok sharing home inspo and home hacks.

She posted a video sharing three stainless steel hacks that she swears by that'll keep your appliance streak-free and clean. Tanya demonstrates her hacks on appliances in her home, her hacks include:

• Pouring baking soda on half a lemon and rubbing the surface clean
• Using car polish to remove scratches
• Using WD-40 to give stainless steel its shine back

The post has been watched over 80,000 times and many cleaning enthusiasts have left comments thanking her for her advice.

Glass Cleaner

Now I know what you're thinking, glass cleaner is for glass! I mean the name is pretty self-explanatory, but bear with me! When you use a glass cleaner to wipe down your stainless steel appliance after it has been properly cleaned, the glass cleaner will leave a totally streak-free and shiny appliance. Simply spray the glass cleaner onto your kettle, cooker, or coffee maker and wipe down with a microfibre cloth, et voila!

Flour

Not only is flour great for baking, but it is also an excellent tool for getting your stainless steel looking its best again. That's right, it's a secret weapon in pretty much every cupboard in all homes. So instead of spending money on an expensive cleaner, you can save the pennies by switching to flour. So, apply some dry flour onto a microfibre cloth and in small circular motions, gently buff your stainless steel appliance. Then, all you need to do is rinse and sit back and admire your bright appliance shining. Experts at doyoubake.com claim: "Don’t want to use a glass cleaner due to chemicals? Mother Nature has come up with a simple solution for you. "Just apply some dry flour onto a microfiber cloth and buff it into your stainless steel appliance, sink or counter. Then rinse it off and the surface should shine like new."

Vinegar and Olive Oil

There are a lot of people around the world that swear by vinegar and olive oil for keeping their stainless steel intact. Add vinegar to a spray bottle and spray down your appliance, then wipe it clean with a microfiber cloth. After that, apply a small amount of oil onto the cloth and wipe in the direction of the grain for a finishing coat that gives it a nice shine. Always go with the grain of your appliance in order to further reduce the appearance of those pesky streaks.