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Invest in the best stainless steel cleaner for all of your appliances and household surfaces. Stainless Steel Trim Strips
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From appliances to sinks and cookware, stainless steel is one of the most popular finishes—and for good reasons. “Stainless steel is a popular material for kitchen appliances, utensils and surfaces because of its durability, resistance to corrosion and sleek appearance,” explains Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of AspenClean.
Unfortunately, cleaning stainless steel can be tricky. “Stainless steel scratches easily and risks damages if using the wrong cleaning products,” says Sokolowski. This is why investing in the best stainless steel cleaner and learning how to clean stainless steel is absolutely crucial and prevents lots of heartache and money loss in the long run.
With an average of 4.6 stars with 17,000 ratings, Therapy Clean Stainless Steel Cleaner Kit lands on the top for the best stainless steel cleaner. Like all the other Therapy Clean products, the solution consists of plant-based ingredients and boasts USDA BioBased and cruelty-free certifications. Scented with lavender essential oils, it smells a lot better than other stainless steel cleaners. Most importantly, it makes cleaning stainless steel appliances, sinks and other surfaces a breeze.
It “does not leave a greasy residue behind and goes on smoothly with minimal buffing,” claims professional house cleaner and verified purchaser Chrystal. Use it everywhere including the stovetop, microwave, oven, fridge, toaster, all silver appliances, door handles and knobs, dishwasher, faucets and inside the sink and on countertops. Buy as a set with a bottle of Therapy Clean Stainless Steel Cleaner and a microfiber cloth or buy a two or six-pack and save even more.
Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner has quite the cult following and with good reason. The budget-friendly product cleans not just dirt, grease, food spills and more but effectively cleans, polishes and protects stainless steel in a single step. The cleaner is also effective on tile floors, countertops, auto interiors, patio furniture, tools and so much more.
Cleaning wipes are genius, offering a one-and-one approach to cleaning. Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner Wipes are the top-selling stainless steel wipes for a reason: they work and no rag is needed. With tons of positive reviews, the unscented wipes are one of the best stainless steel cleaners on the market. One reviewer, Dee McBee, who has tried “countless” products maintains that “these sheets are the easiest to use and the shine holds up.” The wipes also erase streaks and handprints, leaving appliances shiny and looking brand new.
Method is always a reliable brand for eco-friendly but effective green cleaning products, and the Method Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish is no exception. Formulated with plant-based ingredients with a natural “apple orchard” scent, the solution removes dirt and smudges while shining stainless steel up like new. The bottle itself consists of 100% recycled and recyclable plastic, while the cleaning product is without BPAs, phthalates, silicone and parabens and is certified cruelty-free.
“This stuff is epic! I am blown away,” writes Kesha P., a 5-star reviewer on Grove. “Nothing else works this well so easily. My stainless was disgraceful, and this made it look brand new with one easy application.”
When cleaning stainless steel appliances there is generally more area to cover, which makes aerosol a wise choice. Magic Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish leaves behind a protective layer repelling everything from dirt and dust to water and fingerprints, keeping appliances clean and sparkling. The product works best for use on refrigerators, sinks, ovens, grills and other small appliances like mixers and microwaves.
With over 4,300 5-star reviews on Amazon, the cleaner and polish is clearly a fan favorite. “It really does take care of smudges, water drops, fingerprints and grease splatter and leaves my stainless steel appliances spotless,” writes verified shopper Nele.
Specifically formulated for stainless steel cookware, sinks and flatware, this Weiman Stainless Steel Cookware and Sink Clean and Shine has become a quick hit with Amazon shoppers with over 1,000 ratings, averaging 4.3 stars. The pH-neutral formula quickly cleans, shines and protects without scratching surfaces, eliminating stains, rust, lime, tarnish, soap scum and hard water deposits. “I’ve never seen a product bring such shine to a stainless steel sink,” writes Barbara A. Barclay, a verified Amazon shopper.
Another shopper, Josh S. notes that his children “lit oil on fire” in one of their stainless steel pans. After scrubbing with soap and trying the vinegar hack they purchased the product and the burns “came off pretty effortlessly,” he claimed. “Restored in less than five minutes.”
Because grills and BBQs are generally exposed to more of the elements as they are kept outdoors, finding the right product to clean and protect them from additional environmental factors, including sunlight, rain and snow, is important. Bayes Stainless Steel BBQ Cleaner and Protectant is one of only a few products specifically formulated for this exact purpose. The oil-based formula cleans, polishes and protects the exterior and interior of the grill. This cruelty-free product consists of ingredients without any harsh chemicals.
Five-star reviewer Landon E. says, “It cleaned my grill up nicely and required very little effort on my part. Pretty much just spray and wipe it off. I wish I would’ve bought this sooner. I think my grill would look even better.”
Consider the type of stainless steel surface when buying the best stainless steel cleaner. While some cleaners may safely clean a variety of surfaces, others have formulations for specific types, like sinks, cookware or grills. Sokolowski stresses the importance of checking the manual before cleaning stainless steel surfaces, as they will usually explain what type of cleaning agents to use and those to avoid.
Additionally, some types of stainless steel appliances have a special finish or coating that requires specific care instructions, including brushed or satin finishes that are easily scratched or dulled by abrasive SOS pads or acidic cleaning agents.
Other factors to consider include price and the type of cleaner.
Stainless steel cleaner comes in a few different forms. The most common include spray bottles, pour bottles and wipes. Pre-soaked wipes may be more convenient for some people since it eliminates the need for rags or paper towels to clean. However, wipes generally cost more than bottles filled with solution. Also, consider making your own homemade cleaners.
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
How often one should clean stainless steel depends on a few factors, but primarily on the frequency of use. In smaller households without children, you won’t have to clean them as often as in homes with multiple members and children frequently touching them.
According to Frigidaire, use gentle, non-abrasive stainless steel cleaners “sparingly” when cleaning black stainless steel. Alternatively, they recommend using basic soap and water or two tablespoons of baking soda to one quart of water.
Never use glass cleaner on stainless steel, primarily because many of them contain ammonia and other chemicals that damage stainless steel finishes.
After applying stainless steel cleaner or a DIY mixture, clean the stainless steel by wiping it in the direction of the grain using a microfiber cloth.
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