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Home » Cleaning tips

How to clean stainless steel and remove the watermarks

By Debbiedoo's Team Published: Jun 18, 2016 · Modified: Feb 4, 2025

UGH!! I don’t know why they call stainless steel-stainless steel.  It hardly lives up to it’s name, considering stains appear every single day.  I don’t know if we are just hard on things, but our appliances never seem to look clean to me.

I’m not a fan of SS.  However, it was the only thing that seemed would go nicely in our rustic/country kitchen.  Black, too black, white, NO way, not many other options out there today.

I will say the stove always looks clean since I discovered a few years back how to clean the stove grates.  Best tip ever peeps!

stove grates 009

Anyhoot, so for years I have been using spray way cleaners.  I love the glass cleaner and I have always been a fan of the stainless steel cleaner.  Honestly, not anymore.  All it really does is leave an oily residue shine that once it wears off the appliances look like crap again.

I recall when we purchased our new appliances the installer said the best cleaner to use is vinegar and water and wipe with a dry cloth.

So the other day I rolled up my sleeves and I wiped down all our appliances with the vinegar and water and removed the shiny oily stainless steel cleaner.

They turned out awesome, all besides the dishwasher.  I was so upset to see all the water marks that were simply being covered up by the oily SS cleaner.

No matter how much wiping, rubbing, drying and repeat I was doing they were not going away.  I seriously thought the dishwasher was ruined and I was ready to call the company to have them come out and look at it.

Then I remembered I had some bar keepers cleaner under the sink that I have used in our SS sink.

Bar keepers

I used a dry rag, added a little to the rag and started wiping gently, going along with the grain of the stainless steel dishwasher.

Continuing along, and wiping dry as I went.

WHOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!  it worked.

I was so happy.  I will from here on out, NOT use those stainless steel cleaners that leave an oily residue and wipe marks.  Moving forward it will be vinegar and water, and when needed

my new friend. Bar keepers friend. They have a complete line of products and I plan on picking up some more.

 Not one watermark left behind.

Bar keepers friend cleaning products (affiliate link)

How to clean stainless steel without using the oily SS cleaners

I have plenty more cleaning tips here.  All tried and true!

Thanks for stopping over today.  Sorry nothing fun, just extremely useful:)

Cleaning tips HERE

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces

    June 18, 2016 at 1:42 pm

    Great hints, Debbie! My appliances could use a little love…thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  2. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life

    June 18, 2016 at 2:02 pm

    How fabulous. I love barkeepers friend, never thought to use it on appliances.

    Reply
  3. Dawn

    June 18, 2016 at 7:57 pm

    My SIL is a house keeper and swears by that stuff for everything. I’ve never tried it, but just may have too.

    Reply
  4. Bliss

    June 20, 2016 at 8:31 am

    So is the one you used a powder form like my Bar Keepers cleanser or does that brand also have a gel type for vertical surfaces?

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's

      June 20, 2016 at 3:46 pm

      You can use either or. They all work!

      Reply
  5. Erin Belmore

    June 22, 2016 at 2:01 am

    This is one of my big problems everytime I clean the house. I don’t have any ideas before on how to clean a stainless and I left keeping the product in the storage room instead. Well, I have an idea now and thanks to your post because you explained everything to us.

    Reply
  6. Susan

    June 22, 2016 at 9:11 am

    Good morning Debbie!! I did get your email – just no stainless steel in my house. However, I do love Barkeepers Friend and use it regularly. Thanks for all the useful hints and tips.

    Reply
  7. Dorothy

    June 22, 2016 at 10:17 am

    I received your email on how to clean stainless steel

    Reply
  8. Melissa Smith

    June 22, 2016 at 10:28 am

    good info Deb?

    Reply
  9. Linda J

    June 22, 2016 at 11:14 am

    You come thru loud and clear on my emails Debbie.

    Reply
  10. Judi Johnson

    June 22, 2016 at 12:05 pm

    I couldn’t find where else to respond. But I wanted you to know your e-mails do NOT come to my spam mail.

    Reply
  11. Kathleen Hornbecker

    June 22, 2016 at 12:27 pm

    Confirmation of not receiving email for this post.
    I love Bar Keeper for cleaning! Have a great day.

    Reply
  12. Kathy

    June 22, 2016 at 1:31 pm

    Thanks Debbie.

    I have tried the stainless steel cleaners as well and was not happy with the results. I will definitely try your tip. Thanks so much for your great posts!

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's

      June 22, 2016 at 4:01 pm

      I feel your pain Kathy! You will be very happy. Just don’t rub hard.

      Reply
  13. Kathy

    June 22, 2016 at 2:35 pm

    Hi Debbie! I did in fact receive the post you are referring to. Thanks for the tips.. I love reading your blog!! I live in New York but my daughter goes to college of Charleston. She loves South Carolina! Thanks for all your crafting ideas!!

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's

      June 22, 2016 at 4:00 pm

      Hi Kathy! Charleston is awesome! Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  14. Shauna V

    June 22, 2016 at 4:43 pm

    I appreciate all your advice and love reading your Blog. It’s one of my favorites!

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's

      June 22, 2016 at 7:32 pm

      Thanks Shauna!

      Reply
  15. Nancie

    June 22, 2016 at 4:53 pm

    I got your email on how to clean stainless steel!

    Reply
  16. Robyn Gist

    June 22, 2016 at 4:58 pm

    Did receive your email, just no stainless in my house either.

    Reply
  17. Sharon

    June 22, 2016 at 5:13 pm

    I received your stainless cleaner email…I enjoy your blog!

    Reply
  18. Pat Kessler

    June 22, 2016 at 8:36 pm

    I received your email and plan to try out the vinegar cleaner this week.

    Reply
    • Arline

      December 29, 2016 at 10:00 am

      You mention vinegar and water to clean stainless steel. What is the ratio of vinegar to the water? Thanks in advance for your help.l Arline

      Reply
      • debbiedoo's

        December 29, 2016 at 1:41 pm

        Just about 2-3 tablespoons. You can also just use a microfiber cloth and have the vinegar on that. Always wipe against the grain.

        Reply
  19. Wynema

    June 22, 2016 at 8:42 pm

    I received the info. Thanks

    Reply
  20. Jean E

    June 24, 2016 at 10:53 am

    I may hVe missed it but what ratio of vinegar to water? I’m getting all new stainless appliances so was happy to see this information!

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's

      June 24, 2016 at 3:09 pm

      I really didn’t measure truthfully. I know I definitely used more vinegar than water. So perhaps fill a bottle more than half way vinegar and the rest water. Next time I do the concoction I will measure. Like everything else I do, I wing it:)

      Reply
  21. Jean

    June 25, 2016 at 4:54 am

    I receive you emails ok. I recently watched your youtube video on how to make peanut butter cookies with 3 ingredients. It was ecellent! This is a very helpful post about the Bar Keeper’s Helper too.

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's

      June 25, 2016 at 7:50 am

      Great Jean! Nice to see you.

      Reply
  22. Rita

    June 25, 2016 at 9:18 am

    Just getting back to you about some people not getting your blog (going to spam ) . I have gotten everything but I am new to reading blogs and had to figure out how to contact you, sorry ! Your blog is fun and great, thanks !

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's

      June 25, 2016 at 7:01 pm

      Thanks Rita!

      Reply
  23. Debbie

    June 25, 2016 at 6:35 pm

    Love everything,I’ve received all email. Thank you

    Reply
  24. Sam Solo

    February 06, 2018 at 9:39 pm

    I never knew you could use vinegar to clean windows. I’ve been noticing watermarks all over the window and I haven’t been able to figure out how to get them off. I’ll have to try and use your solution so that my windows stay clean.

    Reply

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