Best Products for Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances

Stainless steel is the most widely sold finish for most kitchen appliances. Not only is it attractive to look at and fitting for most home decor, but it also has a long life span and is virtually stain resistant. The primary concern experienced by those that own stainless steel appliances is trying to keep them looking clean and streak-free. Which products are best for cleaning stainless steel appliances and maintaining their shine? We've researched and identified them below.

Weiman Stainless Steel Polish & Cleaner

By far, Weiman makes the best stainless steel cleaner available on the market. It effortlessly removes fingerprints, grease marks, food splatter and dirt, and leaves the surface sparkling clean. Best of all, there's no scrubbing involved. Just spray the product directly on your refrigerator, dishwasher, stovetop, or other stainless steel appliances, and then rub in with a soft cloth. Use a separate dry cloth to lightly buff the appliance and you're done! Use Weiman Stainless Steel Polish & Cleaner several times a week to keep appliances looking clean and polished. This product is so effective in leaving a clean, streak-free shine, it was rated # 1 by Consumer Reports (www.consumerreports.org).

A quick note - Weiman also offers a line of pre-moistened wipes for cleaning stainless steel appliances, and while they work just fine, they are honestly not as good as the spray-on polish. The spray lasts longer and is less expensive, so it's definitely the best buy.

Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

To effectively clean stainless steel, you want to use the best (not most expensive) products available. When applying a cleaner or polish, use a microfiber cleaning cloth to wipe the product on and buff the surface afterwards. For best results, use one cloth for cleaning and a separate one for buffing. In between thorough cleaning, you can dampen the cloth with water to wipe down any fingerprints or debris. Microfiber cloths won't leave lint behind, and they are designed specifically for removing dirt, smudges, fingerprints, dust, and other debris, without scratching delicate surfaces.

Windex

Chances are you already have a bottle of Windex under your kitchen cabinet. In fact, it's likely you are currently using it to keep glass and mirrors looking clean and streak-free. But did you know that you can also use it to effectively clean stainless steel appliances? This product works great as a quick way to keep appliances looking nice in between more thorough cleanings. Simply spray it on and wipe it away with plain paper towels. Fingerprints and smudges are removed and there's no streaking left behind. Cleaning with Windex is recommended by homemaking guru Martha Stewart as a way to keep stainless steel appliances looking their best.

More from Jennifer Wagner:

Selecting a Kitchen Sink

Kitchen Layout and Planning

10 Tips to Make Your Kitchen Appear Bigger

SOURCE:

Personal knowledge and experience

Jennifer Wagner - Yahoo! Contributor Network

Martha Stewart

Consumer Reports