Do you have stainless steel appliances? If so, you know how difficult it can be to keep them clean, especially if you have kids or pets in the house. Everything seems to leave its mark, reminding you of just how many things touch every surface (yuck to all those germs and bacteria lurking there!). Many stainless steel cleaners are full of harsh chemicals, leaving you gasping for air or wondering just what is in that bottle or can. Here is a safe DIY stainless steel cleaner that will help you clean those appliances in a snap. All you need is 2 ingredients, a rag or paper towel, and a little bit of elbow grease. This is a great job for a kid since it is safe and easy.
DIY Stainless Steel Cleaner
- White vinegar
- Cooking oil (olive, vegetable, coconut, etc.)
Put a little oil on your rag and rub it over the stainless steel until most smudges are gone.
Next, wipe it down with a paper towel or rag slightly dampened with vinegar.
Buff it out with a dry rag or paper towel.
You can spot clean any remaining stubborn stains by following all 3 steps again.
I find it actually cleans quicker and easier than traditional stainless steel cleaners. Plus it is significantly cheaper and has no chemical odor. Some of those mainstream cleaners are so overpowering they can knock you over.
Want more DIY cleaning tips?
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Homemade Laundry Detergent {Powder}
Homemade Laundry Detergent {Liquid}
About Heather McCurdy
Heather McCurdy writes at Real: The Kitchen and Beyond where she shows families how to slow down and savor life on any budget with tasty homemade recipes and family travel.
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Arturo Aguilar says
my sister has a stainless steel dutch 6 quart pot she was using to warm the babies bottle. well it melted and stuck to the pot, so she threw it out, i am her brother and brought it back in and have been trying to get the plastic off. and ideas would be greatly appreciated, or did she do the right thing by tossing it? thank you
Heather says
What have you tried so far? I would 1) try freezing it and see if you can get it off that way. 2) If not, I would try boiling water in it to get the plastic melted/loosened enough to get off. If neither of those work I’m afraid I’d replace the pan.
Ianna @ Termite Control says
I didn’t know that cooking oil is a great stainless steel cleaner. Thank you for sharing this one it is helpful.