Home Remedies for Stainless Steel Cleaners

Old stainless steel can have watermarks, fingerprints, streaks and buildup.Stainless Steel Sink image by Hedgehog from Fotolia.com

Stainless steel has a clean and contemporary aesthetic that is a popular option in modern homes. New stainless steel has a bright, smooth and shiny surface, while old stainless steel, if not cared for properly, can be dull, scratched and brown. Keep your stainless steel surfaces and appliances looking new with professional stainless steel cleaners or homemade cleaners. Making your own stainless steel cleaner will be cheaper, more environmentally friendly and will prevent the use of harsh chemicals in your home.

Baking Soda

Baking soda acts as a mild abrasive to remove tough buildup and hardened food residue. Add just enough water to a few tablespoons of baking soda to make a thick paste. Apply the paste to the stainless steel item with a clean cloth. If the item is particularly dirty, let the paste sit on it for several minutes and brush the residue off with a soft-bristled brush. Do not use hard or metal bristles, as they will scratch the surface of the stainless steel. Rinse the item when it is clean and dry it thoroughly to prevent watermarks from forming.

One common complaint of using stainless steel is that fingerprints show up easily and disrupt the appearance of the otherwise shiny surface. To remove these spots, dip a clean cloth in distilled white vinegar and rub the surface. This will remove the spots, and because vinegar dries quickly, it will not streak or leave a mark when it dries. Also use vinegar to remove heat stains in stainless steel stove surfaces or ovens.

Rubbing a thin layer of mineral or olive oil into the surface of stainless steel will make it shine and will help it continue to repel stains. Dip a clean cloth into olive or mineral oil and rub it over the stainless steel item. Buff most of the oil off with another clean and dry cloth. This process will also remove streaks. Do not use vegetable or canola oil as it can go rancid.

Club soda is commonly used in homemade cleaners for carpets, furniture and clothes. You can use club soda to remove streaks, fingerprints or light stains in stainless steel surfaces. Dip a cloth in the club soda and rub it into the stainless steel. Rub with the grain to enhance the shine. Rub with another cloth to buff the stainless steel dry.