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Household Hacks & Kitchen · May 31, 2023 edition

Four Rules for Keeping Stainless Steel Looking New

From the Genius House Hacks archive.

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Stainless steel looks modern and sleek in a kitchen, but it needs its own cleaning habits to stay that way. A few rules keep it looking as good as the day it arrived.

Use a Stainless-Specific Cleanser

A spray cleaner made specifically for stainless steel, sprayed onto a cloth and wiped gently before a water rinse, handles smudges and fingerprints without damaging the finish.

Skip Abrasive Sponges and Bleach

Abrasive sponges scratch the grain of stainless steel, and bleach, despite seeming like it should shine things up, actually ruins the finish — neither belongs anywhere near a stainless appliance.

Always Clean With the Grain

Much like fine wood, stainless steel should be wiped along the lines of its grain rather than in a circular motion, even though circular scrubbing is the more natural habit for most people.

Don't Let Grime Sit

Dirt, grease, and grime stick more stubbornly to stainless steel once they've had time to dry, so wiping up small messes right away with just a little water keeps the surface looking newer longer and avoids the need to scrub.

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