No matter how clean you keep your kitchen, grimy stainless steel appliances can make it look dingy. This DIY Stainless Steel Cleaner will help your kitchen sparkle and shine. Use it all over to clean, polish, and protect stainless steel against fingerprints, watermarks, and grease.
We spend a lot of time in our kitchen. It’s truly the heart of our home. Open floor plans don’t leave much to the imagination. If my kitchen is dirty, the whole house seems untidy. Once the dishes are done and the counters are clear, I always take an extra minute to wipe down the stainless steel.
This safe and natural recipe is perfect for little ones who touch everything. When my kids were babies and learning how to walk they would use the bottom door of the refrigerator to practice standing. As cute as it was, the refrigerator was constantly covered in tiny fingerprints that I couldn’t stay on top of.
Rather than use a store-bought product, I started making my own stainless cleaner that was safe and affordable.
How to Clean Stainless Steel without Chemicals
Stainless steel is not only trendy, but it’s also practical in a kitchen. It is one of the most durable, versatile, and worry-free metals available. It is commonly used on the face of refrigerators, dishwashers, sinks, ovens, and other small appliances. Cleaning stainless steel is easy to do with simple household ingredients you probably already have.
When cleaning stainless steel, start by removing any caked-on food with warm water. If the gunk persists, make a paste with baking soda and wipe clean with a wet cloth. Always use a microfiber cloth or a soft sponge so you don’t scratch the steel. Abrasive cleaners like Windex should be avoided because they can damage the sheen. Be sure to follow the grain, similar to how you would clean wood.
Warm water and a bit of dish soap can tackle larger stains and hard-water marks. Use essential oils to finish the job and give stainless steel a sparkling shine.
The ingredients in this DIY stainless steel cleaner recipe come together to create an effective cleanser that leaves surfaces shiny and streak-free!
Vinegar is a key ingredient in many of my household cleaning recipes because it’s a versatile and affordable cleaning product that you can use all over your home. It’s natural, non-toxic, and effective.
Rubbing Alcohol is an effective degreaser, disinfectant, and general cleaner. The alcohol helps to dissolve the cornstarch so no residue is left behind.
Cornstarch is the secret to a streak-free shine. It dissolves easily in water and doesn’t leave a residue. Cornstarch cuts through stains and polishes the surface, without damaging it.
Essential Oils like Citrus Fresh packs a serious cleaning punch. This oil adds an amazing fragrance to this recipe while wiping out grease stains and grime. You can also use lemon, orange, tangerine, bergamot, or lemon verbena.
Distilled Water is recommended when making DIY household recipes since it contains fewer minerals than tap water. This helps reduce the growth of bacteria and extends the shelf life of the cleaner.
DIY Stainless Steel Cleaner
Ingredients
- ¼ cup distilled white vinegar
- ¼ cup rubbing alcohol
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 10-12 drops Citrus Fresh essential oil (purchase here)
- 2 cups distilled water
- 16 oz spray bottle
Directions
- Dissolve cornstarch in a small amount of cold water. Add to a 16 oz spray bottle
- Use a funnel to add in vinegar, alcohol, and essential oils
- Top with distilled water and shake to combine
- To use: spray directly onto a stainless steel surface and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth or a soft sponge. Shake before each use
Sandra says
Thank You! Diana