AAAAAK!!!! Stainless Steel!

[cdrn1]

I just remodeled my kitchen and got all stainless appliances, thinking they would stay clean and sharp looking. Well, dgd 2 gets handprints all over them, DH doesn't seem to grasp the idea of using handles and I haven't figured out how to spot-clean. Every time I clean them, I have to clean and buff the WHOLE thing. Any tips for a stainless novice?????

 

[OhMari]

Can't you just buff that one area?

 

[kasar]

Keep the Windex handy???

Luckily someone gave me the heads up when we were building our new house. I can't stand fingerprints so I stuck with the traditional beige appliances even though I was pining for those gorgeous stainless ones. I'm replacing them all when the kids go off to college and I'll buy DH some gloves!

 

[robinb]

I second "Windex". It does it great job in my stainless steel sink.

 

[luv2nascar]

didn't you ever look in the stores at the displays? really they are gross with fingerprints and smudges. I turned my nose up to that long ago. Yuck.

 

[Aimeedyan]

That's why we got a brushed satin finish =) No fingerprints!

I would try Windex for the small spots. I imagine that gets annoying!

 

[mtemm]

our new house has stainless steel appliances. they are brushed so figured maybe fingerprints would not be so bad, but they still are. ugh. windex does not work...just makes it look streaky. we have some kitchenaid stainless cleaner that seems to work fine. looking forward to any other responses.

 

[poohbear1029]

We have whirlpool stainless Microwave, stove and dishwasher.....all of those appear to actually be brushed aluminum ....magnets do not stick to them. All 3 of them are horrible with drips, finger prints, etc.

We bought a Fridgadaire fridge and it appears to truly be stainless steel (brushed and appears to be non-marking).....I barely have to clean it! And trust me, I am pregnant, I am in there often! :

I found little stainless steel wipes in a container like the lysol wipes...but I found that I still have to buff with a dry towel afterwards.

The stainless was DH idea! I would have prefered black if we were really going for a more modern look....less messy

 

[rfortune]

As the owner of a manufacturer of stainless steel tanks and food processing equipment (including some of the fronts on the appliances that you may have), I would recommend you try the following options (in order):

1) Water and a clean cloth
2) Glass cleaner (especially for fingerprints)
3) A good stainless cleaner - should have Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) in it

There are various brands of stainless steel appliance cleaners on the market - I would recommend going to the store where you purchased your appliances and asking for their advice (they should even have some you can try).

Do not EVER use steel wool or brushes on appliances - they will leave little particles of themselves in the grain of the stainless and it can rust over time. Also, chlorine bleach is a no-no.

P.S. In response to the last post, stainless is typically not magnetic (depends on the alloy used).

 

[poohbear1029]

As the owner of a manufacturer of stainless steel tanks and food processing equipment (including some of the fronts on the appliances that you may have), I would recommend you try the following options (in order):

1) Water and a clean cloth
2) Glass cleaner (especially for fingerprints)
3) A good stainless cleaner - should have Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) in it

There are various brands of stainless steel appliance cleaners on the market - I would recommend going to the store where you purchased your appliances and asking for their advice (they should even have some you can try).

Do not EVER use steel wool or brushes on appliances - they will leave little particles of themselves in the grain of the stainless and it can rust over time. Also, chlorine bleach is a no-no.

P.S. In response to the last post, stainless is typically not magnetic (depends on the alloy used).

So, should I not use a brillo pad or bleach in my stainless steel sink? Totally serious question.....

 

[rfortune]

Sinks are a little different. If you look at your sink closely, you will see that you may have created "swirls" through your use of a brillo pad (actually scratches in the stainless). While it is typically not a big issue in a sink, it is much more of an issue on a large flat surface (like a fridge) where you want a consistent finish with the grain all in one direction.

Chlorides (like chlorine bleach) actually can penetrate the protective layer that is formed on the stainless in its processing, leading to corrosion. While it is not immediately apparent, it leaves the finish vulnerable (it will eventually dull, if not worse).

 

[dg39]

Try and get Kitchen Magic for stainless steel or believe it or not Endust. I have all ss appliances. I've been using the kitchen magic and it works great. Then the saleswoman in the subzero store told me to use Endust. I was alittle skeptical,but bought it anyway. This stuff works great. Spray it on and wipe with a soft paper towel along the grain. I couldn't believe how great everything looks. I find that when using the endust, I only have to clean it maybe twice a week as opposed to every day. Don't get pledge or anything else. I don't know why but the woman said use Endust only.

 

[poohbear1029]

Sinks are a little different. If you look at your sink closely, you will see that you may have created "swirls" through your use of a brillo pad (actually scratches in the stainless). While it is typically not a big issue in a sink, it is much more of an issue on a large flat surface (like a fridge) where you want a consistent finish with the grain all in one direction.

Chlorides (like chlorine bleach) actually can penetrate the protective layer that is formed on the stainless in its processing, leading to corrosion. While it is not immediately apparent, it leaves the finish vulnerable (it will eventually dull, if not worse).

Thanks, rfortune!! Great input! Explains why my last house the sink started to look icky! I am a germaphobe and bleach is my friend!

 

[cdrn1]

Try and get Kitchen Magic for stainless steel or believe it or not Endust. I have all ss appliances. I've been using the kitchen magic and it works great. Then the saleswoman in the subzero store told me to use Endust. I was alittle skeptical,but bought it anyway. This stuff works great. Spray it on and wipe with a soft paper towel along the grain. I couldn't believe how great everything looks. I find that when using the endust, I only have to clean it maybe twice a week as opposed to every day. Don't get pledge or anything else. I don't know why but the woman said use Endust only.

What kind of stores sell Kitchen Magic? Will I find it at a Walmart/Target type store? I've never heard of it. I will also pick up some Endust.

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. I have a friend who said never NEVER use Windex but it sounds like some of you have used it with no problems.

I do love the way the ss looks when it's all shiny and clean and I don't regret getting it; I was just a little frustrated when the sun hit it this morning and I saw all the fingerprints!

 

[thelionqueen]

We remodeled our kitchen last year and one thing I absolutely HAD TO HAVE was all stainless steel appliances. That was the 1 thing I would absolutely not budge on. Well, when we were shopping, I had my 2 kids and we were looking around in the "stainless steel area" at a fridge. This lady, didn't know her from Adam, walked by me and said, "you know, you can't use magnets on those refrigerators." and walked on by. I confirmed this with the sales associate and that made up my mind. I am SO happy I went with white appliances.

At first I thought I would NEVER pick white, thought it looked cheap. But ours are wonderful, easy to clean, much less expensive and I got the exact bottom freezer, double oven and drawer dishwasher.

Anyway, thought I'd share. This coming from someone who's only "must have" turned out to be the biggest would-be-mistake of the entire project. Besides, it's not a kitchen to me without a hundred magnets, pictures, coupons and etc. on the fridge

 

[cdrn1]

Well, when we were shopping, I had my 2 kids and we were looking around in the "stainless steel area" at a fridge. This lady, didn't know her from Adam, walked by me and said, "you know, you can't use magnets on those refrigerators." and walked on by.

I discovered that after I bought the appliances. My DD inherited some really cute magnets!!

 

[clarabelle]

At first I thought I would NEVER pick white, thought it looked cheap. But ours are wonderful, easy to clean, much less expensive and I got the exact bottom freezer, double oven and drawer dishwasher.

Do you like the drawer dishwasher? what brand do you have? A sales person told me that all the drawer dishwashers were made by Fisher and Paykel even if they had someone elses name on there. Can you fit things like a cookie sheet or baking pan into it?
Thanks!

 

[thelionqueen]

Do you like the drawer dishwasher? what brand do you have? A sales person told me that all the drawer dishwashers were made by Fisher and Paykel even if they had someone elses name on there. Can you fit things like a cookie sheet or baking pan into it?
Thanks!

Ours is Fisher & Paykel, and we love them (actually have 2, one in the island is a single drawer other is double). I didn't want a drawer dishwasher at all, but DH insisted. He is a contractor/remodeler and this was 1 thing he wouldn't budge on. I'm glad we got them. I was worried they would be "all looks no cleaning" but was very wrong.

They clean like crazy and are pretty quiet. I fit everything I could fit in a normal dishwasher. I have the super-mega cookie sheets that need to be hand-washed, but my large casserole dishes and lasagna pans fit with room to spare.

We got ours from a factory appliance place (all new though) and paid $1800.00 for both which I thought was pretty good. Good luck!!

 

[ZachnElli]

I use Cerma Bryte Stainless Steel Cleaning Polish and Conditioner. It works really well and I got it at Home Depot or Lowe's (they look alike to me!). It even helps prevent future spots, so I only have to use it about twice a week, sometimes just once!

 

[Nik's Mom]

We totally regret getting stainless steel. I can never keep them clean. But I'm off to try Endust. Hope that works!