8 Best Stainless Steel Cleaners
Updated: Sep. 29, 2022Metal surfaces are notorious for showing grease and grime. These are the best cleaners to keep your stainless steel finishes looking like new.
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Best Stainless Steel Cleaner for Appliances
The secret to preserving the appearance of your stainless steel appliances is regular maintenance. Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish is a point-and-spray formula that eliminates fingerprints, splatters and watermarks. It also leaves behind a protective barrier that prevents future smudges from taking hold. It’s recommended for use on refrigerators, ranges, microwaves, toasters and more.
“I’m a professional house cleaner working in million-dollar rental properties,” says one Amazon reviewer, “and this is the only stainless steel cleaner I will use.”
Best Stainless Steel Cleaner for Cookware
Go ahead and hang your stainless steel cookware from an open rack for all to see! Kleen King Stainless Steel Cookware Cleaner makes stained pots and pans look new again. Add water to the powder to form a paste that effectively removes blackened residue and tarnish as it brightens. It also gets rid of mineral deposits and hard water stains. It works on cooper cookware, too.
Best Aerosol Stainless Steel Cleaner
Containing a non-corrosive, pH-neutral formula, Magic Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish aerosol uses “Stay Clean Technology” to repel dirt, hard water spots and smudges without streaking. It’s simple to use. Just spray on a soft cloth (or directly on the surface) then wipe and buff. No rinsing needed and it has a nice citrus scent.
Best for Stainless Steel Sinks
Stainless steel that’s exposed to moisture can become dull over time. Hope’s Perfect Sink Cleaner cleans and polishes stainless steel to its original sheen. The gel formula removes deep stains as well as water spots. It’s also gentle on your skin, so wearing rubber gloves is optional.
One Amazon reviewer says, “Is your water hard enough that it leaves ghostly white rings when water dries in your stainless-steel sink? Ours is, and this polishing cleaner has been improving the condition of our kitchen sink with each use.”
Best Chemical-Free Stainless Steel Cleaner
Made from an innovative weave of proprietary Nanolon fiber, double-sided Nano Towels clean and polish stainless steel without the use of chemicals. You just add water! The deep pile side wipes off dirt and grime and the smooth side polishes stainless without scratching or streaking.
One Amazon reviewer gave Nano kudos for its polishing power: “I dampened it with water on the fluffy side and wiped around the front of the fridge and then went back and buffed with the opposite side. I was shocked!! Our fridge shined just as beautiful as when we first bought it. So, I began to clean the outside of the microwave, dishwasher and stove. The very same clean beautiful shine was back.”
Best Eco-Friendly Stainless Steel Cleaner
Since 1972, EZ Brite Stainless Steel & Chrome Cleaner has been an effective, Earth-friendly choice for cleaning stainless steel cookware, sinks, utensils, drip pans and grills.
The easy-to-use creamy paste with sponge applicator targets specific areas so there’s less waste from over-spraying or dripping. Phosphate-free and 100 percent biodegradable, you can feel good that it contains no ammonia, chlorine, sulfuric acid or carcinogenic benzene derivatives. And it’s made in the U.S.
Best All-Purpose Stainless Steel Cleaner
Maintaining stainless steel in restaurants and pubs since 1882, Bar Keepers Friend powdered cleanser has more than 7,500 top reviews on Amazon.
It contains oxalic acid, which dissolves stains and dirt from stainless steel appliances, countertops, sinks, stovetops and backsplashes. It’s also safe to use on porcelain, glass, ceramic and all kinds of metals, as well as outdoor grills, tools and sporting equipment. Even house siding, according to the manufacturer.
Best DIY Stainless Steel Cleaner
Baking soda (AKA sodium bicarbonate) is the Holy Grail of cleaning solutions. Here are three simple and effective ways you can use this household cleaner on grimy stainless cookware, smudged appliances and more.
Ingredients
- Baking soda;
- Water.
For light stains
- Mix baking soda with water to form a soft paste.
- Spread the mixture on both sides of the pan and rub with a non-abrasive scouring pad.
- Rinse and repeat if necessary.
To dissolve stubborn stains
- Pour a solution of about one part baking soda and three parts water directly into a stained skillet or saucepan.
- Place on the burner and bring to a boil, allowing the liquid to evaporate, leaving a film of baking soda behind.
- While the pan is still hot, add a little water and rub off the loosened particles.
Immerse the tough stuff
- Find a large pot or roasting pan and fill with enough water to cover the grimy pan.
- Again, dissolve one part baking soda with three to four parts water and completely immerse the pan.
- Bring to a boil and let simmer for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Pull the pan out of the water and scrub off any leftover food deposits
