From kitchen utensils and cupboards to decorative pieces, stainless steel is present in almost every corner of our homes. The smooth, cool metal has a sophisticated white sheen, while its durability makes it a brilliant choice for household appliances.
Thus, the popularity of stainless steel is assured.

Sadly, sooner or later you face the headache of keeping your stainless steel clean and shiny.

This is when stainless steel cleaners come to your aid. Stainless steel cleaners are specially formulated chemicals that are designed to clean and maintain stainless steel appliances most efficiently.
These cleaners come in various forms –

  • Spray-on cleaners, which need to be sprayed onto the dirty surface and wiped off. These work best for fresh dirt, grime or dust
  • Cleaning creams, which come in tubes or bottles and are applied to the dirty surface. These can be left on longer than sprays, and are perfect for tough and dry dirt on delicate surfaces – such as dried soup on your oven top
  • Liquid cleaners, which come in pump bottles
  • Stainless steel cleaning wipes, which can be used straight out of the box. These are extremely convenient, and work as well as the cleaners available in other forms.

Cleaning stainless steel is a tricky business, especially if you want to retain the smooth, shiny texture.
For most shiny surfaces, the shine is preserved by applying a coating of wax or polish. Since stainless steel appliances are often used in conjunction with food, this becomes impossible. As a result, the cleaner has to do the work – and keep surfaces germ-free too.

Stainless steel cleaners perform the dual function of cleaning and buffing. Before using a stainless steel buffer on a particularly fine surface, always test it on a hidden spot to prevent visible abrasion or streaks.
Always apply the cleaner with a soft cloth, and rub for some time with moderate pressure. Do not use your nails or excessive pressure at any point – if needed, you can switch to stronger cleaning agents. With careful wiping or scrubbing, the stain should come off in less than a minute.

Why choose stainless steel cleaner rather than sticking with common household cleaners?

Soap and water, the most common cleaning system throughout the world, is likely to leave streaks on stainless steel. These streaks are formed when the water evaporates, because the minerals dissolved in it are left behind on the glossy surface.
Good stainless steel cleaners leave no residue on the surface, thus preventing streaks after the cleaner dries.

Cleaning with rough materials – even rough towels – will scratch the smooth metal. Steel wool, steel brushes or chemicals with chlorine in them should not be used on stainless steel at any cost, as they cause abrasions.
Once abrasions begin to form, it is very easy for a rust hole to spring up. Rust is very easily visible on steel surfaces, and – apart from looking unsightly – can wear through the metal over months and years.

While shopping for stainless steel cleaner, you will find a lot of available options. Think carefully, and choose what is most convenient for your use, and best suited to your needs and budget.