How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances | I’m Lovin’ It
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Stainless steel appliances are known for their beauty and ability to be a clean surface that resists corrosion and rust. Unfortunately, stainless steel appliances are also know to be the source of great grief in many home kitchens, due to their ability to show every fingerprint, smudge and bit of residue left behind from daily use.
(my 16 yo took this picture and insisted I use it! lol)
HOW TO CLEAN STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES
I’ve had Whirlpool stainless steel appliances in my kitchen for 5 months now. If you own stainless steel appliances, you may be in the same boat I was in…… losing a battle……..a battle against fingerprints and smudges. The grimy streaks were winning!
I whined to my friends about the smudges all over my pretty new appliances. I asked everyone I knew, including Mr. Google, how to clean stainless steel appliances. I got a slew of answers, from window cleaner to alcohol and baby oil, to simply pure water and numerous specially formulated cleaners. I tried, a clean dish cloth, paper towels and cloth diapers.
Nothing was working.
I vented my frustrations one day when I was on the phone with Jim, product manager at Whirlpool, when he told me something that changed my life! He said he uses affresh™ Stainless steel cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Jim told me he sprays the cloth with affresh™ Stainless steel cleaner then wipes down his appliances and has had great luck with that method.
To be honest, I doubted it was going to work, but figured what did I have to lose? I already had a bottle of affresh™ Stainless steel cleaner and a clean microfiber cloth.
As soon as we hung up the phone I headed to the kitchen to give it a go. To my amazement it WORKED!!!
- If appliances have visible grime and food, take a clean microfiber cloth and a little warm soapy water to wipe down surface (always wipe with the grain of the stainless steel). Then take the same cloth, rinse it well and wipe down surface again, removing soapy residue.
- Use a dry microfiber cloth and to spray the affresh™ Stainless steel cleaner on the cloth, NOT on the appliance (I usually just give it 2 squirts – don’t saturate the cloth)
- Wipe entire surface in the direction of the grain.
- Flip microfiber cloth over and buff surface using a little elbow grease until shiny!
I still have to clean them daily, but I have to tell you, I recently hired a cleaning lady to help me out a few times a month and when she walked into my kitchen she said “your appliances look AMAZING! how do you keep them so clean?!” ….TRUE STORY!
5 DON’TS WHEN CLEANING STAINLESS STEEL
- Do NOT use anything abrasive, such as steel wool or scrubber sponges. These may scratch the finish.
- Never clean in circular motion or against the grain. Always clean stainless steel with the grain.
- Never use chlorine bleach on stainless steel. It will ruin the finish.
- Do not allow residue to sit on surface. Grime, dirt and cleaning products should be removed as soon as possible.
- Do not expect stainless steel to look beautiful on it’s own. It’s going to take a little elbow grease and good daily maintenance to keep it looking shiny.
Not only am I still using the affresh™ Stainless steel cleaner on all of my stainless steel appliances daily, but I REALLY think the key is to use a microfiber cloth (I keep two that are only used on my appliances) and to spray the affresh™ Stainless steel cleaner on the cloth, NOT on the appliance. I’m now winning the battle with the fingerprints and smudges……and the BEST part….my appliances are clean AND streak free!! (so many other methods would remove smudges, but then left streaks).
I talked to the people at affresh™ and they said they’d be happy to hook up some TidyMom readers with their Stainless steel cleaner!
Giveaway! 3 (three) lucky TidyMom readers will win 2(two) 16 oz bottles of affresh™ Stainless steel cleaner + 1 microfiber cloth
Giveaway has ended. Congrats to Julie B and Meredith H
How to enter: Simply leave a comment on this post telling me if you’ve had trouble or success with keeping stainless steel appliances clean. (as always, if you are reading this via email or rss reader, you must click over to the blog to enter)
For an extra entry: You can share this post on pinterest, twitter, google+ or facebook and leave a comment letting me know you shared it (one extra entry per person)
Giveaway sponsored by affresh™. – I was not compensated for this post, but I do have a working relationship with Whirlpool – I truly use and love this product and wanted to share!
Official Rules: No purchase necessary. Open to US residents only. Must be over 18. Giveaway will end on Feb 13, 2013 at 5:00 pm CST. Three (3) winners with a valid entry will be selected at random using random.org. Winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be selected. TidyMom and affresh™ are not responsible for lost or undelivered emails. Prize: 2(two) 16 oz bottles affresh™ Stainless steel cleaner – value ($6.99/bottle) and 1(one) microfiber cloth
WHERE TO BUY affresh™ Stainless steel cleaner
you can purchase affresh products online from Whirlpool and Amazon, or at your local Best Buy, Home Depot, Walmart, and Target.
I’m Lovin’…….affresh™ Stainless steel cleaner
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Hi there, I'm Cheryl!
As a wife, mom, and caffeine enthusiast, my journey has taken me from bustling mornings with my family to sharing delicious recipes, home care tips, and heartfelt decorating insights with wonderful readers like you. My love for baking, photography, and tidiness shines through every post I craft. Dive into my world and discover the art of homemaking, one tidy moment at a time. Read more...
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I shared this post google+.
I have definitely lost the battle of cleaning my stainless steel appliances. Nothing I’ve tried works. Just like you, I have either smudges or streaks. I hope I win some Affresh to try! Thanks for the chance!
I shared this post facebook.
I certainly do have trouble cleaning my ss appliances! I’ve just been using water and trying to keep up, but I’d love this cleaner and micro fiber to get them looking like new! Does the product smell bad? I used one of those white, thick, made for ss cleaners and it reeked!
I posted this giveaway on Pinterest and twitter.
We just bought a new home and my gorgeous kitchen has stainless everything. My 11 month old LOVES to lick the dishwasher so there are constantly tongue and hand marks on it. I will have to get some of this stuff and give it a try!
Definitely would love to try Affresh since I’ve had trouble with keeping our stainless steel appliances clean (especially the refrigerator). When we have friends over with the little ones, they usually left so many hand prints there and I have to clean it (the hard way). Hope to win this, thank you 🙂
I shared your post on Facebook!
I’m loving Ginger Chews. They’re great!
I need this for my dad as he is on his own now and just bought a new home with all new SS appliances he has no idea how to clean! In the past I had trouble as I would use wipes on ours and it would of course leave streaks.
I shared on pinterest!
I pinned on Pinterest!
I shared on FB 🙂
Our oldest son recently bought his first home. The kitchen has all stainless
steel appliances. He is constantly wiping fingerprints and such from them!
I would love to win this product for him…
Many thanks, Cindi
Definitely have to try Affresh!!!! I have a stainless stove, sink and toaster. This will help with all the streaks and water spots. Thanks for sharing 🙂
“Tweet!”
https://twitter.com/cmh512/status/300005129883619328…
Again, many thanks!
Cindi
Shared this post on Pinterest, Twitter, & Facebook ..thank you! 🙂
I’ve been so frustrated cleaning my stainless steel appliances. I have streaking problems. Can’t wait to try this product!
I can NEVER get it to clean well!! Would love to try this!
It’s a losing battle in my house too. Would love to win!
I pinned!
We are in the process of remodeling our entire house…. including a new kitchen. Just bought ALL stainless appliances (because the double oven I HAD to have was stainless and hubby didn’t think the rest could be white) So now I’m worrying over keeping them clean! Hope I win!!!
Also, sharing on FB
My stainless is always a mess. I’ve given up…or thought I had. I’ll have to try the Affresh! Thanks.
I’ve pinned to my Giveaways board. http://pinterest.com/sandi_b_malloy/giveaways-goodies/
I also have tried many different products and cloths, and have not been happy with the results. I look forward to trying this. I also pinned on Pinterest.
I have had moderate success using a microfiber cloth with water but will look forward to trying this product.
I gave up trying to clean stainless appliances – would love to try this.
I don’t have stainless steel appliances, but I’m wondering if this will work on stainless steel sinks. Has anyone tried it?
Sometimes I just don’t keep up, then I’ll get out the windex. I would love to try something that works better!
My appliances are always streaked and fingerprinted. It’s nice to know a way to clean it now!
Thanks!
I love stainless steel but the smudge marks and finger prints definitely are a negative. Sounds like a great product to try. Thank you.
I’ve tried all sorts of things to clean my stainless steel fridge and it’s just a constant mess of smudges. Shared on my FB page.
I do a pretty good job keeping my SS appliances clean (I hardly ever touch it)…and i wipe it down everyday with Windex.
I have a stainless steel stove and sink on order. I’ve never had stainless before and I’ve been apprehensive about trying to keep them clean. It would be wonderful to win, but if I don’t I’m buying some.
I have 6 kids and all stainless appliances. I can’t wait to try afresh!!!
I have stainless steel refrigerator, dishwasher and oven!!! I have been soooooooo frustrated. This new
Product could be my new Knight in “SHINING ” armour!!!!! Here!!!
thanks!!!
Great product! I hate cleaning my stainless steel appliances.
I have used Lysol Wipes in the purple container that have scrubbie side and a soft side. They get off food fingerprints and regular ones well. After wipe with a soft microfiber towel. A tip from the one time I had a cleaning service come and waste my $ and time. They only cleaned with a lick and a promise, no more that I could do myself. Not the deep cleaning I wanted and needed with a new baby and hurt back.
I am a mom of 10 and grandmother of 7….I have one stainless steal appliance so far….am looking to buy another in a couple of days….I was going to go back to white…but I might give this a try first! love to win some!
I have used nearly every product out there to clean my stainless fridge and stove hood. They work for awhile, and then nothing works! I have not heard of afresh. Glad for the tip!
I can never seem to get mine clean enough!
I always have trouble, no matter what I have used, you still see a residue or something
I tweeted too!
https://twitter.com/jessrwarfield/status/300325062970597376
Thank you for sharing this!!!
We have several stainless steel things, and you are right, it’s difficult to keep them looking shiny and smudge free most of the time.
I shared this post on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/pin/36239971973447902/
I have never heard of Affresh, but I do rue the day my husband talked me into stainless steel appliances. I often remind him, since this is what He wanted, then he can try to get the streaks off when we have company coming. Lol. He and I both look forward to trying this product.
Thank you for the information
I would love to try this! My SS appliances are always driving me insane.
I was studying some of your content on this site and I believe this website is really instructive! Retain posting .
would love to try it… I have been having a problem with keeping my stainless microwave clean…we use it daily, so lots of smudges. thanks for the chance!