What To Expect When Polishing Stainless Steel

One of the least abrasive and easiest ways for polishing stainless steel is to use vinegar and olive oil. Using a spray bottle for the vinegar makes this incredibly easy. Simply spritz the vinegar on the surface and let it sit for a few moments. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe it clean, remembering to go with the grain. Add a dab of Olive Oil to a clean towel and use it for polishing the stainless steel, again with the grain. Finally, use another clean microfiber cloth to wipe away any excess olive oil.

Both white and cider vinegar will work for this method for polishing stainless steel but cider vinegar has a much more pleasant aroma as a bonus. This two-step process uses the acid in the vinegar to remove any grime before the olive oil is used as a polish. If you have some particularly stubborn grime on your stainless steel appliances or fixtures, repeat the vinegar step as needed

For this method of polishing stainless steel, you'll need to microfiber cleaning rags. Pure cotton often works best as it leaves no residual lint. Paper towels can work in a pinch but will often leave paper lint behind. The only other supplies you will need our dish soap and mineral oil. Moisten one of the rags and apply a small amount of dish soap. Wipe with the grain remove any excess oil or grime before you begin polishing the stainless steel. Go over any areas that need extra cleaning, such as persistent fingerprints. Use a clean towel to dry any water streets left over after you have wiped it down with the dish soap towel.

With your second cleaning rag, dab it with a tiny amount of mineral oil: only a few drops will be needed. Other oils, such as baby oil, or olive oil, can also be used if you do not have any mineral oil. Use that oil rag for polishing stainless steel, as with the cleaning step continue to polish with the grain.

This might sound like an odd idea but it works: honest. As flour dust can create a bit of a mess, this method is often best used only for stainless steel sinks and maybe stainless steel pots that are small enough to fit in your sink. To begin, clean the sink as best you can. You should remove any dust or grime before you begin polishing stainless steel with flour. Next, dry as completely as possible. Now comes the fun part: dumping some flour into the sink. Finally, to polish, use a soft cloth and buff the sink until it shines like new. Wash any extra flour down the drain.

When it comes to polishing stainless steel, club soda is a surprisingly handy way to get rid of fingerprints and food residue, leaving the stainless steel appliance or fixture with a nice shine. Add a little club soda a spray bottle and apply directly to the appliance. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe it clean, remembering to follow the grain. Club soda has a tiny amount of potassium citrate which helps it to get rid of those persistent fingerprints. Seltzer or still water will not have as great of an effect.

What can't WD-40 do? Who knew that polishing stainless steel was among its many uses? Since WD-40 is petroleum-based, you should take extra care when using it in polishing stainless steel appliances or fixtures that will come into contact with food later on.

Spray a small amount of WD-40 on their stainless steel appliances or fixtures and then use a cotton microfiber cloth to wipe it away with the grain. Not only will this clean and polish your stainless steel but it adds an extra layer of protection against those persistent fingerprints.

Here, we start to get to the harsher and potentially damaging ways of polishing stainless steel. Use a tiny amount of lemon oil-based furniture polish and never apply it directly to the stainless steel. Always apply it to a clean cloth instead. Once you've applied this to the cloth, rub it on the stainless steel appliance or fixture and then use another clean cloth to wipe any residual furniture polish off.

This is a method of polishing stainless steel specific for fingerprint stains. The oils and dirt on people's fingers tend to leave the most annoying marks on your stainless steel appliances and fixtures; especially if you have young children. As with the 11 oil-based furniture polishes, apply a small amount of glass cleaner to a microfiber cotton cloth and apply to the stainless steel appliance or fixture in a circular motion with the grain. Repeat this as necessary using another clean towel to wipe it down, removing any residual glass cleaner

If any of the above, less harsh, methods fail to give your stainless steel appliances or fixtures the shine you want, it's time to bring in the big guns and use a commercially available stainless steel polish. These tend to have higher price tags and contain more chemicals and harsh solvents, so it is best to use them minimally. Follow the directions on the container for their use. Microfiber cotton cloths will probably do as well as any specialized stainless steel polishing cloth, so stick with them even when using the expensive polish