Stainless Steel - Low Maintenance?

I think not!

We purchased some new appliances in 2006. The stove was about 6 months ago and then the refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave followed shortly thereafter. I love them! They work great, they fit in with the decor we're trying to accomplish in the kitchen...and they're stainless steel.

Stainless steel is beautiful...when it's clean. However, little sticky hands all over the refrigerator make it really tough to KEEP clean! There is help, though. I ran across this information and thought I would share it with those of you who find yourselves in the same predicament that I'm in :)

Today, most all large and small appliances, cookware, utensils and sinks are stainless steel. Along with the easy to clean convenience, however, they can become stained and dull looking. To ensure they are kept clean and shiny, here are a few tips on how to make stainless steel sparkle!

Using olive oil on a cloth, clean your sink and dry with a clean cloth. Be sure to also wipe away any water spots which may appear. To removes stains from your cookware, use club soda, and apply vinegar to remove spots and stains from your utensils and cutlery. Be sure to rinse off acid or salty foods if the flatware is not immediately washed. Well that was easy, right?

Now there are other problems you may encounter with stainless steel items that need more attention. For example, if you have just purchased a stainless steel mixer; and the label(s) won’t come off, soak the item in warm water; rub it with a soapy cloth. Voila!Label on; label off.

Grease! Not the musical! To remove grease from your cookware or appliances, use a mixture of ammonia and warm water. Another problem you may encounter is rust stains. For this removal, you will need to use a household cleaner; and often.

Here are some tips to avoid damage to your stainless steel items. Don’t use steel wool to clean them; and never leave stainless steel cookware on extremely high heat for a long period of time as this will only lead to discoloration.

While there are many stainless steel cleaning products available on the market today, try the old method first. If you have large surfaces, such as refrigerators or counter tops; try using glass cleaner or ammonia. Avoiding the use of any toxic chemicals or abrasives will ensure all of your stainless steel appliances, cookware and peripherals continue to sparkle.

Try these methods first. If you want to try some of the new products on the market, I would suggest: Orange Glo Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish; Stainless Steel Magic and the simplehuman stainless steel sponge mitt.

Now I'm off to make that stainless steel shine...let me know how it works for you!