Buying guide for Best stainless steel cleaners
If you have stainless steel appliances or tools in your kitchen or garage, you know how easily they collect stains, fingerprints, and grime. While a damp cloth can take off some residue, for tougher stains you’ll need a stainless steel cleaner.
Varying in ingredients and capabilities, some stainless steel cleaners are designed specifically for outdoor use, while others are gentle enough for indoor appliances and may even be capable of cleaning other surfaces like countertops and plastic. Most cleaners come in either liquid or powdered form, both of which vary in abrasiveness and consistency. If you have small children or pets in your home, you should avoid certain stainless steel cleaners.
There is no one stainless steel cleaner for every job – you should choose a cleaner based on your needs and appliances.
Key considerations
Do you need a stainless steel cleaner?
Purchasing the right stainless steel cleaner means considering the job at hand. Do you have a single appliance in need of cleaning or several? The cleaner should fit the job and clean thoroughly without damaging your appliances or posing a danger to those in your home.
Before you purchase a stainless steel cleaner, you can try a couple of basic home solutions that won’t harm your appliances.
Dish soap and water: This can sometimes work on the items you wouldn’t normally clean in the sink. Be sure to completely dry off the appliance afterward.
White vinegar: This can be effective as well. After applying the vinegar to the surface, allow it to sit briefly before gently wiping it off.
Expert Tip
When spraying stainless steel cleaners, be mindful of where you spray. Cleaner can often fall to the ground and make your floors slippery.
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Format
Each of the three primary types of stainless steel cleaner (powder, liquid, and wipes) is better suited to a particular type of appliance and/or surface. The best way to choose a cleaner for a specific surface is to read the manufacturer’s recommendations. Each type comes with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Powder: You sprinkle these stainless steel cleaners on a wet surface and then rub the surface clean with a rag or sponge. For more difficult stains, the powder can be mixed with water to form a paste. This is the best option for cookware and kitchen appliances. Many powders use all-natural ingredients.
Liquid: These cleaners sometimes come in a convenient spray bottle and can be applied directly to surfaces. Sprays work well for large or awkwardly shaped appliances since the spray can be easily applied from a variety of angles. Some liquids use natural ingredients, but they can also include potentially dangerous chemicals.
Wipes: These cleaners eliminate the need for a cleaning cloth or sponge and are easy to dispose of. Wipes excel at reaching tricky areas and can work on a variety of surfaces.
Outdoor cleaners
Some stainless steel cleaners specify whether they are designed to be used outdoors. In most cases, this indicates that the product uses biodegradable ingredients, but this is not always the case. Most outdoor stainless steel cleaners are designed to remove and prevent rust buildup; indoor appliances are less likely to rust.
Did you know?
Most stainless steel cleaners clean and polish surfaces, giving them a pleasant shine and preventing future stains.
STAFF
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Stainless steel cleaner features
There are several additional factors to consider when choosing a stainless steel cleaner, including the ingredients and additional accessories.
Ingredients
Ingredients are not always listed on stainless steel cleaners, but many brands state the ingredients they don’t contain. Cleaners with chlorine should always be avoided because chlorine will damage the finish on stainless steel.
pH: Because most of the damage to stainless steel is caused by water, stainless steel cleaners are often acidic, meaning they have a pH lower than 7.0. The acidity of some stainless steel cleaners can make them dangerous to children, pets, and others who may encounter recently cleaned surfaces. While a neutral cleaner with a pH close to 7.0 is generally less effective at eating through rust and calcium, the safety factor might give you more peace of mind.
Natural: Some stainless steel cleaners contain plant-based or other natural ingredients. If you’re looking for an all-natural product, check the ingredients list carefully. All-natural stainless steel cleaners are not always biodegradable, and just because a cleaner is biodegradable doesn’t mean it will break down quickly and without harming the environment. While most aerosol sprays no longer contain gases that can deplete ozone, these sprays can still contribute to smog and can lower the air quality in your home.
You should look into each company to learn more about its reputation and whether its product’s ingredients come from environmentally friendly sources. Many natural stainless steel cleaners indicate that they were not created with animal testing, and some products are food grade.
Expert Tip
Wiping in the direction of the stainless steel grain will help prints and dust go away much quicker and will also give you the best shine.
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Other uses
Some stainless steel cleaners can be used on countertops and other surfaces, but read labels carefully. Some more acidic cleaners might damage surfaces like stone or granite. Common surfaces that some products can clean in addition to stainless steel include fiberglass, aluminum, bronze, plastic, and enamel.
Scent
If you’re looking for a scent-free stainless steel cleaner, avoid chemical-based cleaners and instead opt for one that lists natural ingredients. Some stainless steel cleaners have a pleasant scent, often the result of synthetic ingredients, which serves to cover up any unpleasant chemical smell from the product.
Extras
Many stainless steel cleaners include a microfiber cloth, which is an ideal tool for cleaning stainless steel surfaces without damaging or scratching them. The size of this cloth varies, but some are larger than a foot square.
Expert Tip
If you are sensitive to smell, then an aerosol stainless cleaner won't be the best choice for you.
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Stainless steel cleaner prices
The price of stainless steel cleaners ranges from $5 to $60 per container, and many cleaners are sold in bulk. Remember that the price per ounce (or per wipe) is the most important consideration. Less-expensive cleaners cost around $0.30 per ounce, while the most expensive options can be as much as $1 per ounce.
Inexpensive
Cleaners that cost from $5 to $10 are often multi-surface and less effective at dealing with rust and calcium buildup.
Mid-range
Most stainless steel cleaners fall in the $10 to $20 range and may be formulated to remove rust from steel appliances. Many of these products are also polishes that leave a shiny surface after removing the grime and fingerprints. Some products on the higher end of this range contain all-natural ingredients.
Expensive
For $20 to $40 you can buy stainless steel cleaners in bulk, usually in multi-packs or one-gallon containers. It’s rare to find smaller containers in this price range.
Tips
- Consider the price per ounce, not just the price per bottle. This is a good rule of thumb when purchasing any cleaner.
- Test the cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area first. Do this to see how it reacts to the cleaner before cleaning the entire surface.
- Clean stainless steel in the direction of the grain. You do this not because you will damage the surface but because you can lodge grease and cleaning solution in the grain by wiping across it.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Do this to avoid damaging your stainless steel appliances.
"Most stainless steel cleaners excel not only at cleaning grime but also at removing fingerprints. "
STAFF
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FAQ
Q. Do I need to use gloves when using a stainless steel cleaner?
A. While this isn’t necessary with most natural products, it’s a good idea in general because some more acidic or chemical-based cleaners can be harmful to skin.
Q. Do stainless steel cleaners leave streaks?
A. It’s possible that more abrasive cleaners may leave streaks. Look for products advertised as streak-free and read customer reviews for best results. Gentler cleaners are less likely to leave streaks.
Q. Can I clean knives and other kitchen tools with stainless steel cleaners?
A. You should use stainless steel cleaners specifically designed for utensils and cookware because not all cleaners are food grade.
