The Best Stainless Steel Cleaners (Review) in 2020

What to Consider When Buying a Stainless-Steel Cleaner

• Effectiveness

First and foremost, you’ll want to be sure that your stainless-steel cleaner is effective and does exactly what it says on the tin. You don’t want to spend time and energy ensuring you have a clean stainless-steel fridge, only to discover that you’re left with grease marks and stains. Find something that works well, without having to put in any unnecessary elbow grease, the first time.

You should also be aware that not all stainless-steel cleaners are universally effective. What might work on your stainless-steel sink may not work so well with a stainless-steel oven, for example. As such, you should try to find a good quality cleaner for stainless-steel that works well across the board.

• Method

There are a few different options on the market right now, and we’ll go more in-depth with these, later in the article- but, right now, the main types of stainless-steel cleaner and polish include a spray, a cream cleaner, powder or wipes.

• Ingredients

Generally speaking, there are two main types of cleaners designed for stainless-steel that will work as required. These are simple the eco-friendly natural cleaners and the more effective- but harsher- chemical cleaners for stainless-steel. Whichever one you choose will depend entirely on what you need from a cleaner, as well as which you personally prefer.

• Features

As you may have noticed with some of our top picks, not all will have the same features and benefits. Take out top pick, for example, which is created for both cleaning and polishing stainless-steel. This is ideal for those who don’t like to spend hours cutting through the grease, cleaning stainless-steel appliances and then spending extra time going through the motions once again, to polish their goods.

You might also notice that some will leave a protective barrier, to increase resistance against stains and smudges, while others might have a pleasing scent to keep your kitchen smelling great. Another popular features includes having the ability to use your cleaner throughout the home, on any surface.

Finally, some may include added ingredients to help with antibacterial properties or are able to guarantee a non-abrasive cleaner that leaves you safe in the knowledge that your stainless-steel is being cared-for, not just cleaned.

Ideally, you would look for a little bit of all of these in your products, without compromising on the quality of the product you buy. No matter what you choose, be sure that it satisfies all of your household needs and be sure to use your item only as directed, to avoid any mishaps and create sparkling appliances in your kitchen.

• Use

One of the biggest factors you’ll need to consider is where the cleaner and polish will be used. If you are looking for a commercial-grade stainless-steel cleaner, you’ll want to find one that lasts, while being 100% safe for commercial use, so you don’t have to keep buying a fresh supply. Whereas if you’re looking for a cleaner for the average household clean, you’ll probably want one that leaves your appliances cleaner, for longer, as you’ll be less likely to clean these up on a daily basis.

• Stainless-steel finish

Keep an eye on the finish of your stainless-steel, as not all coatings are created equal. There are three main finishes you’ll notice on your appliances, all of which can play a part in how effective a stainless cleaner is. The first is a matt finish, which is less likely to be used around the home as it is not as aesthetically pleasing as the others but can still be found in commercial areas.

The second is a brushed finish. These are increasingly popular, and you’ll likely find these on stainless steel refrigerators, air conditioners, toasters and other small appliances. They look great, with a distinctive look but can be harder to clean thanks to the slight grain created by the finishing process.

The third and final finish is the mirror finish. As you can imagine, this one has a highly polished effect that can easily pick up fingerprints, stains and other marks- but they look fantastic, once cleaned. These are less popular as they tend to cost a little more, but you may notice them in decorative items such as mirrors, microwaves or hobs.

Benefits of Using Stainless Steel Cleaners

While there’s nothing wrong in using a DIY cleaner for your stainless-steel, there are loads of benefits to be had when using a cleaner designed specifically for steel. Aside from providing a great finish and being ready-made, they also work with anti-oxidant properties. In other words, your stainless-steel will be much less likely to rust and therefore last much longer.

They also work really well as a sanitizer and de-greaser, effectively cutting your cleaning time in half since you’ll only need to use one application to shift all the dirt and debris off your beloved kitchen appliances.

Different Kinds of Stainless-Steel Cleaners

There are more stainless-steel cleaners on the market than ever before. This is due in-part to the introduction of online shopping, where many manufacturers have been able to get their product in front of a worldwide audience. It is also due to the increased usage of stainless-steel appliances used around the home. Where ceramics, plastics and basic metals used to be used, stainless-steel now plays a major part in home appliances.

The four different kinds you’re likely to come across when finding the best stainless-steel cleaner are sprays, wipes, creams and powders. Sprays are great for giving a broad area a good coat of cleaner or polish and are generally the fastest cleaner for the stainless-steel on the market as they spread an even coating at the area you’re aiming at. These will work best as a stainless-steel sink cleaner, since their quick use will make cleaning your sink a doddle, while the spray will get all the nooks and crannies you might find around your faucets.

Wipes, on the other hand, are slower but more thorough in their method. The biggest benefit of stainless-steel cleaning wipes is the ability to pull one out at a moment’s notice and going over a specific area, without any missed cleaner affecting the nearby area. You also don’t need to find the right cloth to work with when using a wipe for your stainless-steel, as everything comes ready-made and is easy to dispose of. These work best as a stainless-steel hob and oven cleaner, as you’ll be able to quickly wipe down grease, give your hob a great finish and dispose of your wipes afterward, as a cloth would usually become full of grease.

Cream cleaners are the slowest of the above options and tend to be used for heavier work, which requires a lot more elbow grease. They also tend to come with stronger ingredients, which make them ideal for deep cleans and commercial kitchens. If you’re looking for something that requires a little more time and energy, but yields greater results, a cream cleaner is generally the best choice for your needs. A great example of their use is as a stainless-steel refrigerator cleaner, as they’ll provide a great finish and last a long time, as you might not want to clean your fridge, every day.

Finally, powders are the more awkward stainless-steel cleaners who need a little extra elbow grease and usually require some work before use, as they need to be placed on area that have been wiped down first and then combined with water to make a paste. They are, however, one of the most powerful formulas you’re likely to find and are therefore great for deep cleans.

Best Way to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances

Before you begin, you should ensure that you are using the right cloth for your needs. Abrasive cloths are more likely to leave scuff marks and give an uneven finish, as well as carrying the danger of scratching and marking your stainless steel.

You’ll then want to wipe down your appliance using a clean, damp cloth to pick up all the loose dirt and grime on your appliances. This will give your stainless-steel cleaner and polish the best possible surface to begin with and allow the products to really affect the amount of build-up on your surfaces.

Next, opt for the best stainless-steel cleaner for your needs, choosing one of the above methods as is appropriate. Wipe down every inch of stainless steel, paying particular attention to the cracks and crevices found in the standard household appliance.

If you’re using a cream cleaner or spray, do not allow the cleaner to sit and dry on your surfaces, as this can cause damage if left for too long. If you have a brushed steel finish, try to use the cleaner in the direction of the grain. For most appliances, this will likely be from horizontally, so work from left to right.

Finally, buff the area with a dry, clean cloth. This will get rid of any excess steel cleaner while also making sure that your stainless steel comes up sparkling clean. Invest in a really high-quality piece of cloth for this and, again, be sure to get into every crevice- especially if you’re working with brushed steel.

Be sure to clean your stainless-steel surfaces regularly, to avoid a build of grease and debris, which can become harmful and corrosive to your steel over time. Keeping a good cleaning schedule as well as regularly “topping up” your cleaning will ensure that your appliances will last long in to the future, as well as being much safer and more sanitary for everyone in your home.

Our Top Pick

With its ability to fulfil all of your steel cleaning requirements, the Therapy Premium stainless-steel Cleaner & Polish met all of our expectations and then some. The immaculate finish left after use was enough to sell us on this stainless cleaner alone, yet when you add in the all-natural ingredients, great customer service and high ratings, it would be hard to choose any other stainless-steel cleaner over Therapy’s offering.

For those who need a cleaner that works like a dream, cutting through grease, grime, cooked-on food and general dirt, without parting with your hard-earned cash, the premium stainless-steel cleaner from Therapy should be at the top of everyone’s list- it certainly made ours.

Sources:

1. Cleaning Stainless Steel - Bsstainless
2. The Best Way to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances - Bosch