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We tested some of the best selling stainless steel cleaner products on the market, and we found the best one for you.
We’re testing three products:
- Method Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish
- Bar Keeper’s Friend Cleanser
- Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish
Stainless steel is a favorite, especially in the kitchen. Search for kitchen inspiration on Pinterest, and you are sure to see plenty of stainless steel refrigerators, ovens, stoves, and dishwashers. There is a good reason for that. Stainless Steel is shiny, modern, durable, and gives appliances an upscale look and feel. The only problem with this surface is the way every little fingerprint and smudge shows, ruining the shiny and clean look. Sometimes it feels like stainless steel has to constantly be cleaned!
While it is durable, did you know that you can damage your stainless steel by cleaning it the wrong way?
Table of Contents
How NOT To Clean Stainless Steel
Stainless steel may seem indestructible. (I mean, we use the word “steel” to describe anything that is really tough, right?) However, using the wrong cleaning product or cleaning method can turn your beautiful stainless steel stove top into a scratched and rusted mess.
It’s important to avoid any cleaning products with bleach or ammonia. These ingredients can corrode the steel and increase the likelihood of the steel rusting. No Clorox Clean Up or Windex on your stainless steel, please!
Another thing to avoid with stainless steel is anything corrosive with strong scrubbing power. Any scrubbing tool like brillo pads or scouring pads will scratch the surface of the steel. Scrubbing cleaners like Comet should be avoided too. These will leave permanent scratches on your stainless steel.
How To Clean Stainless Steel
The best way to clean your stainless steel surface is with a stainless steel cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Normally, we like to steer you away from specialty cleaners because they tend to cost more than all-purpose cleaners. We usually like to keep it simple around here and use good, solid cleaning basics like soap and water to get our homes clean, but sometimes a specialty cleaner is necessary.
Cleaning stainless steel is one of those times. Gently working a stainless steel cleaner into your refrigerator door or stove top with a microfiber cloth is the best way to keep your surface clean and shiny for the long haul.
We love doing product comparisons (like when we found the best glass cleaner for the bathroom) because there are a lot of cleaning products out there that are a waste of money. We want to prevent you from spending your hard-earned money on cleaning solutions that don’t work. Let us show you which stainless steel cleaner is the best.
Stainless Steel Cleaner #1: Method Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish
Method Stainless Steel Cleaner is the only product that we are testing today that claims to have all-natural and plant based ingredients. It comes in a stylish and modern spray bottle. My first impression is that while the bottle is cute, it is also really small for the price I paid for it. It’s the smallest bottle of the three cleaners, and it is also the most expensive. Price is always a factor for me when choosing a cleaner. Even if the product performs the best, if the cost is high, I probably will not buy it.
How It Works
The bottle tells me to simply spray the cleaner onto my steel surface and then work it into the surface until the product has been wiped away. I have to be honest that I was shocked at how shiny this product got my refrigerator door! This cleaner is expensive, and I had a bit of a chip on my shoulder because of that. However, I have to admit that it worked really well. The stainless steel on my refrigerator door was super shiny and clean, and the surface feels like the polish will protect the steel from getting scratched.
Pros:
Method worked really well. The stainless steel cleaner got the steel surprisingly shiny and clean. The product has a nice and fresh apple scent. Plus, this product is more eco friendly with plant based ingredients.
Cons:
The bottle of spray is small and expensive. However, I didn’t need very much product to get the job done, so one bottle might last longer than I expected.
Stainless Steel Cleaner #2: Bar Keeper’s Friend Cleanser
Bar Keeper’s Friend Powder Cleanser is an oldie but a goodie. I’ve used it to scrub my bathroom, my ceramic kitchen sink, and even my patio furniture, but I’ve never used it to clean my stainless steel. I assumed it was too harsh for stainless steel and would leave scratch marks, but the label on the can says that it’s nonabrasive and safe to use on steel surfaces. Another bonus to this product – the price! It’s the most affordable of the bunch.
How It Works
This cleaner is a powder that can either be applied directly to the steel surface or made into a paste with a little water and then applied to the steel. I sprinkled some cleaner on a wet cleaning rag and then worked the cleaner into my refrigerator door in a circular motion. I then used another wet rag to rinse the product away. The product got the steel clean but not very shiny. This is because this is only a cleanser and not a combination cleanser and polish like other products on the list.
Pros:
This cleanser can be used not only for stainless steel but for many other surfaces like tile and ceramic areas. It’s inexpensive and easy to find in most grocery stores.
Cons:
The powder can be messy and difficult to apply to surfaces that are vertical like refrigerators or dishwashers. It’s easier to apply to flat surfaces like stove tops. It’s a multi step process that requires rinsing and then drying, so it takes more time than the other cleaners on this list.
Stainless Steel Cleaner #3: Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish
I’ve been using this product in my own home for a while because it was recommended to me by a cleaning company I follow on social media, Go Clean Co. I’m interested to see how it holds up next to the others. Have I been using the best product for the job?
Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner comes in a spray can and is really easy to use. Just spray it on and polish the steel surface with a microfiber cloth. It’s priced right in the middle of the three products tested today. I find that the size of the can is large for what I pay, and one can lasts a long time. The label claims that this product helps to keep fingerprints and smudges away for longer than other cleaners. I’m not sure if that’s true, but to be fair to Weiman, my three kids are constantly touching the fridge door!
How it Works:
I sprayed the Weiman cleaner onto my refrigerator. A little bit of this product goes a long way, so be careful not to over spray here. I took my microfiber cloth and worked the product into the steel using a circular motion. Continue to buff the steel until the surface is shiny. This product got my refrigerator door shiny and clean. It is a cleanser and polish combination, so the steel surface gets a level of protection against future wear and tear.
Pros:
The product works to get the desired clean and shiny effects. The cleaning process is easy – just spray on and wipe off. The price per ounce of product isn’t the cheapest option but is still one of the more economical options.
Cons:
It’s easy to over apply the product, and using too much can lead to a film residue on the steel surface. The product is unscented if a nice-smelling product is a plus for you.
Results
For me, the Method Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish was the best product, but the Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish was a very close second. I don’t think you can go wrong either way.
If all-natural products are a priority for you, choose the Method cleaner. If price is your top priority, the Weiman cleaner is for you.
What is clear to me is that when looking for a stainless steel cleaner, look for a combination cleaner and polish instead of just a cleanser. Stainless steel needs the level of protection that the polish provides. The cleanser alone doesn’t get the steel as shiny.
What are your tips and tricks for taking care of the stainless steel surfaces in your home? Let us know in the comments or join our Facebook group to share your cleaning ideas!
Want more cleaning hacks? Check out our post featuring a great roundup of our best cleaning hacks.
Ashley Donati is a contributing writer for A Mess Free Life. A self-described naturally messy person, Ashley spent years learning how to keep a clean and organized home through trial, error, and a lot of great books. She writes about cleaning systems, decluttering, and home organization for people who weren’t born with the tidy gene.
