Updated at: 22-07-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

If one is looking for a distinctive material that can withstand regular use, stainless steel may be the ideal option for the job. These add a professional touch to your kitchen while remaining easy to use on a daily basis. However, the urge to keep a distinctive performance is always present when there is a distinct advantage to having one.

When you know how to clean a stainless steel stovetop without scratching it, you’ll be able to do so.

How to Get Stains and Discoloration Off a Stainless Steel Cooktop

Things You Will Need

  • Teakettle
  • A roll of toilet paper
  • Vinegar
  • Soft dishcloths made of microfiber
  • It’s made of baking soda
  • A sponge made of plastic.

Tip

The brushed stainless steel stove surface should always be cleaned or scrubbed in the direction of the grain. Scrubbing against the grain can leave marks, much like on wood.

How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances — Best Stainless Steel Cleaners

Spots and stains should be cleaned immediately or as soon as you detect them if you want to prevent them from becoming permanent.

Keep the stovetop clean by wiping it down with a damp paper towel on a regular basis. This prevents the development of grease and dust that makes cleaning more difficult over time.

Stainless steel can also be cleaned with salt. Place some salt on a damp soft cloth and brush it along the grain of the steel to see if it’s corrosive. There are different types of stainless steel that are more susceptible to scratches than others.

Warning

You should only clean the stovetop once it has cooled down to prevent burns from the hot pans.

Cleaning Stainless Steel Stove Top: Two Routines You Must Include Into Your Life

Let’s have a look at two regimes: One of them is going to be devoted to the routine tasks you must perform. Another can be used for more frequent cleaning to remove particularly tough stains. So, don’t stop there.

Regular Cleaning Regime To Follow

In order to complete this task, you’ll need only the most basic cleaning solution. Any gentle soap and water are what you need. A few drops of mild dish soap can be added to a bowl of warm water to clean your dishes. The amount of this solution you need to produce will vary depending on the size of your stove top. There’s no exact ratio for mixing this solution. You only need to ensure that the water is warm and sudsy before you begin.

For this task, you’ll need nothing more than a household cleaning solution. Any mild soap and water will do. Add a few drops of mild dish soap to a bowl of warm water and stir to dissolve the soap. You will need to adjust the amount of this solution based on the size of your stove top. When it comes to combining this solution, there is no set ratio. It’s as simple as making sure the water is warm and sudsy.

Wipe the top of your stainless-steel cooktop with the solution next. Leave the stainless-steel stove alone for a few minutes to allow it to dry completely. When wiping, remember to keep the grain going in the same direction.

When possible, integrate this step in your daily routine even though it is time-consuming. Basically, it’s there to keep the shine. Lemon oil or a silicone-based spray is required. Using a clean and lint-free cloth, apply any of them in a direction perpendicular to the grain. Remove the excess with another cloth.

Cleaning your stainless steel stove on a regular basis will help prevent and eliminate heat stains. If you have a stainless-steel cooktop, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to learn which products and formulations are safe to use on a regular basis.

Occasional Cleaning For More Serious Stains

If you’ve followed the above-mentioned cleaning schedule, you must have already read the instructions. However, if you haven’t already done so, you must do so before moving on to the next level of cleanliness. There are certain goods that manufacturers advise against, and you should be aware of these exclusions.

The Solution

Create a smooth paste by combining equal amounts of baking soda and water. This will be your go-to cleaning solution for the procedure on a less-frequent basis. Clean the surface gently with a regular water and soap solution before applying the paste. Using a nylon scrubby, apply water-soap solution to the surface. After that, make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it.

Rubbing The Mixture

Try this approach if you need to remove burnt stains from your stainless steel stove. Wipe up spills and stains as quickly as possible. There will be fewer chances of the surface becoming charred or stained by the heat.

Apply the mixture with a brush that has a soft bristle. You can also use a dishcloth to apply it on the surface. This should only require a small amount of product. Gradually work your way over the tough spots using a brush or dishcloth. Rub in the direction of the grain, of course.

Use a new sponge or soft cloth for this step. Dip it in a bowl of warm, soapy water. Rub the pre-applied baking soda paste with this sponge or cloth. Also, gently move your hand in the direction of the grain to loosen paste.

Polishing

This time, try a different method of polishing. To produce a layer of vinegar on the cooktop, you’ll need to use a lot of vinegar. Now, with a soft cloth or sponge, wipe the stove with this vinegar.

Bring in another piece of fabric that has been dipped in frying oil. Using this cloth, wipe the surface in a circular motion in the direction of the grain. If there are no stains, the surface should be spotless and bright at this point.

Wait for a few minutes before removing the oil from the surface. Blot away extra oil using a paper towel. You don’t have to use solely cooking oil in your cooking. As a matter of fact, you can use any oil you like. It’s best to use white vinegar or vinegar formulated for cleaning.

Using A Commercial Cleaner

Stainless steel stovetops that have been burned by gas may necessitate the use of store-bought and specially formulated cleansers. Commercial stainless-steel cleaning can also be used if the above-mentioned procedure fails to remove the stains. In that scenario, the situation is quite unique. This means that you should double-check the instructions on the cleaner’s body.

Generally speaking, you should use the nozzle and squeeze handle to administer the cleaner directly. Finally, dry the soiled area after wiping it clean.

You should make sure that the cleaner you choose does not include any abrasive compounds before using it. Cooktops made of stainless steel are especially vulnerable to corrosion when exposed to chemicals like iodine, bromine, fluorine, and other related chlorides. Cleaners that contain ammonia, mineral spirits, or alcohol should also be avoided. As a result of this, rust may form in the future.

Even if you’ve already bought a cleaner, make sure you test it out on a small area before applying it all over. You only need to apply a small amount to the stove’s surface that is hidden from view. This test should be done on the backside. Allow it to sit for at least a day or two. The region should be cleaned with another cleaner if it appears damaged or corroded following this test. Go ahead and use it if there are no issues or signs of damage.

Keeping Stainless Steel Cooktops Clean

Fortunately, maintaining a stainless steel cooktop isn’t difficult. Check the grain orientation of the cooktop before you begin cleaning. You don’t want to cut against the grain, just like you wouldn’t if you were slicing meat.

Add a few drops of mild dish soap to some warm water to prepare a cleaning solution at home. You may store this in a clean spray bottle and use it anytime you need it; just shake it a few times. Using a spritz of sanitizing solution and a sponge, wipe the counter in either a left-to-right or an up-to-down direction. After that, use a microfiber cloth or a paper towel to remove any remaining residue. You can apply a silicone-based spray or a few drops of lemon oil if you want to add some shine.

Stainless steel cooktops can also be cleaned using Windex, a spray cleaner. Adds some sparkle and doesn’t need to be washed off after use. Clean cloths and paper towels can be used to wipe away the residue. It is recommended that stainless steel cooktops be cleaned at least once a fortnight.

Removing Burnt-On Stains

First, use a moist sponge to remove any loose material from your stainless steel stove, being cautious not to scratch the surface. With three parts baking soda and one part water, mix up a paste. Use a sponge, gentle brush, or paper towels to apply this solution to the spots.

Spray some vinegar on after the paste has been sitting for at least two hours. The burn stains will be easier to remove after this treatment. Clean and dry the area with a hose or sponge.

Removing Grease Stains

Stainless steel cooktops can also be difficult to clean of grease. You’ll need hydrogen peroxide to remove these stains. Make a hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste as you normally would with three parts baking soda to one part H2O2. In the same manner, apply it to the stove and let it sit for two hours.

Vinegar can either be sprayed on or rubbed into the skin using a dry towel. Always remove all of the baking soda before wiping everything down with a moist cloth. In addition to cleaning the stovetop, the vinegar in the solution acts as an abrasive.

5 Alternatives to Spray Cleaners for Stainless Steel | Cooking Light

Stainless Steel Cooktop Cleaning Tips

Clear-coat coatings are available on several stainless steel cooktops. If this is the case, then certain cleaning products may harm them. For stainless-steel surfaces, do not use abrasive cleaning agents like Comet and abrasive cleaning pads. The use of bleaching chemicals, such as chlorine and chloride-containing compounds, is also discouraged.

You can also use oil and vinegar to clean stainless steel cooktops of heat spots, watermarks, and fingerprints. Check your cooktop’s instructions before attempting this procedure, as oleophobic stovetops are not compatible with this method. Make a small batch and experiment with the proportions of each of these ingredients. Soak it in soapy water and clean it off.

10 Surprising Ways to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances

1. Dish Soap & Baby or Mineral Oil

To begin, you must know which way the grain is going. Steel, like wood and some textiles, has a distinct texture. Surface striations like these might be seen on your appliances. In reality, the grain of a complete sheet of steel will be the same. Knobs and handles, which are often made of steel, are commonly found on household appliances. These other pieces may have a different grain direction.

If you don’t clean with the grain, you won’t destroy your appliance. In reality, nothing of the sort will occur. More cleaning residue may penetrate deeper into the grain’s small pores if you wipe vertically. Cleaning with the grain produces the finest results in terms of luster.

Gather your tools and materials next. Non-abrasive cleaning rags, ideally those made of 100% cotton, should be used because they leave virtually little residue. Paper towels can be used, although some lint will be left behind. You’ll also want to stock up on some simple dish soap and mineral oil or baby oil.

Your appliances will need a thorough cleaning. When it comes to cleaning stainless steel, dish soap is an excellent choice. In addition to removing extra oil, it also makes polishing much easier. Put a small amount of it on a rag and dampen it with a small amount of water before using (just enough to dampen your cloth). Wipe the appliance along its grain. For extra stubborn fingerprints, you might have to go over the area a few times. Dry any remaining water stains with a clean towel after you’ve finished cleaning.

You’re going to have to get your hands dirty. Dish soap is a godsend when it comes to cleaning stainless steel. Polishing is made easier by the removal of superfluous oil. To use, place a small amount of the solution on a clean cloth and dampen it lightly (just enough to dampen your cloth). Wipe the appliance in the direction of the grain. To get rid of very tenacious fingerprints, repeat the process a few times. When you’ve finished cleaning an area, use a clean towel to remove any remaining water stains.

2. White Vinegar & Olive Oil

Using a microfiber cloth or spray bottle, apply white vinegar to your surface. Wipe in the direction of the grain after letting it sit for a few minutes. As many times as necessary, rub the vinegar into the filth. When you’re done, rub the freshly cleaned surface with a little olive oil and a clean towel to remove any remaining dust. Wipe away any remaining olive oil residue with a clean cloth. Vinegar removes all the dirt, while olive oil polishes it to a bright, new appearance.

3. Club Soda

Wipe along the direction of the grain after spraying with club soda and letting it sit for a few minutes. This will not only remove fingerprints and food residue from the surface, but it will also brighten it up. Wipe the surface with a microfiber cloth that is soft and pliable.

4. WD-40

WD-40 is the strangest method for cleaning stainless steel appliances. You’ll probably find a bottle in your garage or anywhere else where you keep your tools. WD-40 can be sprayed straight onto your appliance, or into a rag, and then wiped clean.

When you use this product, your appliance’s surface will be clean and glossy right away. Additionally, WD-40 acts as a layer of protection to assist prevent annoying fingerprints from forming.

WD-40, a petroleum-based solution, can help you clean your stainless steel appliance, but it should be used with caution on or near any surface where food is likely to be present.

5. Lemon Oil Furniture Polish

Clean your appliance with a clean towel and apply a small amount. To remove any excess, use a new microcloth towel to wipe down the surface. When using furniture polish directly on stainless steel, you run the risk of uneven application and having to spend additional time cleaning up the excess.

6. Glass Cleaner for Fingerprints

The most common criticism about stainless steel is fingerprints. Especially for parents, this is a good reminder to keep in mind With Windex or any other common glass cleaner, however, they may be removed with ease.

Using a microfiber cloth, apply the cleaner evenly and in a circular motion to remove the fingerprints. Repeat if necessary.. Towel dry and rinse completely. For this reason, it is not recommended that you spray straight onto your appliance, as you may wind up with more work that you didn’t expect.

7. Bon Ami, Flour Sack & Wax Paper

Sprinkle Bon Ami on a dampened part of a flour sack and let it dry. Using circular motions, apply it to the whole surface of your stainless steel. Afterwards, dampen a tiny part of your flour sack and wipe the stainless steel surface clean with it, rubbing it in the grain’s path.

Make sure the flour bag is clean and dry before using it. Make sure to finish by rubbing the waxy side of a wax paper over the whole surface of your device.

Small parts at a time is the best way to get the most out of this style of working swiftly. Keep in mind that the interior of the doors might accumulate dirt and oil from fingerprints, so be sure to clean them as well. Smudges and fingerprints are temporarily prevented by the wax paper, which also aids in stain removal without leaving streaks behind.

8. Flour

The flour itself can be used in place of the soft bag you used in the previous stage. You may want to keep this cleaning tip for the sink or your pots and pans in order to avoid making a bigger mess.

The first step is to thoroughly clean the sink of any oil, filth, or grime that has accumulated. Cover it with flour after it has dried. Use as much flour as you wish in this recipe. After that, use a soft cloth to buff the sink until it looks as good as new. It’s that easy.

9. Commercial Stainless Steel Cleaners

The most expensive alternative is to use an industrial stainless steel cleaning if your equipment has stains, scratches, or has to be polished thoroughly.

Despite their extra cost, however, many of these cleaners and polishers can reduce scratching and often erase stains. They can also give surfaces a long-lasting sheen with their polishing abilities. You should read the instructions on the cleaner and test it out on a small area of the appliance before applying it to the entire surface.

Towel dry and rinse completely.

10. Water and a Cloth

You’ll be amazed at how much cleaning you can get done with just a lint-free towel and some warm water. When it comes to cleaning stainless steel, this is the least risky alternative. In the vast majority of cases, plain water is sufficient to remove contaminants. To avoid wet marks, use a towel or cloth to dry. Minerals in water can leave deposits on stainless steel, making this a must-have safety feature.

You can achieve excellent results if you follow the polish lines. You should use microfiber towels instead of regular cloths to polish stainless steel since they absorb all the water without scratching it. There are specific microfiber towels that can be purchased to give your appliances a finishing shine. In most cases, you won’t need any special equipment or chemicals to get rid of most smudges.

FAQs

How do you clean stainless steel appliances without scratching them?

Never clean stainless steel with steel wool or anything else with a rough and spiky surface. When cleaning using a cotton cloth, there will be no lint or paper towel residue left behind, ensuring that your appliance is not damaged.

How to clean the hob quickly

How do you clean a burnt stainless steel stove top?

If the stain is still visible, sprinkle a small bit of baking soda over it, followed by a small amount of vinegar. If a soft cloth doesn’t get rid of the discoloration, switch to a plastic scour pad. Follow the steel’s grain as you scrub to avoid scuffing the surface.

Do stainless steel cooktops scratch easily?

Scratches on stainless steel can be disguised by using increasingly finer-grit abrasives, unless it has a transparent coating designed to reduce fingerprints, as is common on refrigerators and dishwashers.

How do you clean a stove top without scratching it?

In order to avoid the razor blade from scratching, you can use dish soap to break down oil on the cooktop. Dish soap is a safe, practical, and cost-efficient solution.

Can I use Windex on my stainless steel appliances?

Stainless steel is prone to fingerprints, which can be readily wiped with Windex or another household glass cleaner. When it comes to cleaning stainless steel equipment, WD-40 may be the strangest method. Spray some on a rag, then wipe it clean.

Is it OK to use vinegar on stainless steel?

Chlorine, vinegar, and table salt can corrode stainless steel if left to soak for lengthy periods of time.

t should you not use on stainless steel?

Cleaning Stainless Steel with the Following 7 Products Is A Bad Idea

  • Abrasives that are too harsh to use.
  • Powders for scouring.
  • Steel thread.
  • Products containing chlorine, such as bleach.
  • Such as Windex, which contains ammonia.
  • If your water is particularly hard, you should avoid using it (use clean distilled or filtered H2O instead)
  • oven cleaners

Can you use baking soda and vinegar on stainless steel?

As a stainless steel sink cleaner, baking soda is a fantastic choice because it is abrasive enough to remove small hard water deposits, but not so abrasive as to scratch glossy stainless steel fittings like faucets……. The vinegar will bubble and fizz as you rinse the sink.

How do you keep a stainless steel stove from scratching?

Even olive oil can be used for this purpose. Polish the metal by rubbing the cloth against it in the direction of the grain. In the event that more oil is required, do so. Once you’ve polished the entire surface, don’t stop rubbing.

How do you get scratches out of stainless steel stove?

Remove scratches by applying a tiny amount of the scratch removal compound to a microfiber cloth and then gently rubbing in a circular motion. Continue until the scratch is completely removed. To eliminate any compound residue, gently wipe the surface with a fresh, barely moist microfiber cloth.

How do you remove scratches from stainless steel cooktop?

For small scratches on stainless steel, baking soda is a great tool. As a mild abrasive, it has a powdery consistency. Make a paste with water and baking soda, apply it to the metal, and scrub lightly. Then use a moist cloth to remove the baking soda from the surface.

It’s A Wrap!

No need to scrub or scratch stainless steel stoves if you follow these guidelines. So, if you want to learn how to clean a stainless steel stove without scratching, just read this post attentively, my friends! Also, see how to vent a pellet stove and how to clean a glass stovetop with baking soda..