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!
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.
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 
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
Thank you for your visit today!
I share all things, thrifty home decor, crafts and a recipe or two on occasion.
If you would like to commit to becoming a subscriber, I would love for you to join me.
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces says
June 18 at 1:42 pmGreat hints, Debbie! My appliances could use a little love…thanks for sharing!
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says
June 18 at 2:02 pmHow fabulous. I love barkeepers friend, never thought to use it on appliances.
Dawn says
June 18 at 7:57 pmMy SIL is a house keeper and swears by that stuff for everything. I’ve never tried it, but just may have too.
Bliss says
June 20 at 8:31 amSo 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?
debbiedoo's says
June 20 at 3:46 pmYou can use either or. They all work!
Erin Belmore says
June 22 at 2:01 amThis 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.
Susan says
June 22 at 9:11 amGood 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.
Dorothy says
June 22 at 10:17 amI received your email on how to clean stainless steel
Melissa Smith says
June 22 at 10:28 amgood info Deb?
Linda J says
June 22 at 11:14 amYou come thru loud and clear on my emails Debbie.
Judi Johnson says
June 22 at 12:05 pmI couldn’t find where else to respond. But I wanted you to know your e-mails do NOT come to my spam mail.
Kathleen Hornbecker says
June 22 at 12:27 pmConfirmation of not receiving email for this post.
I love Bar Keeper for cleaning! Have a great day.
Kathy says
June 22 at 1:31 pmThanks 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!
debbiedoo's says
June 22 at 4:01 pmI feel your pain Kathy! You will be very happy. Just don’t rub hard.
Kathy says
June 22 at 2:35 pmHi 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!!
debbiedoo's says
June 22 at 4:00 pmHi Kathy! Charleston is awesome! Thanks for stopping by.
Shauna V says
June 22 at 4:43 pmI appreciate all your advice and love reading your Blog. It’s one of my favorites!
debbiedoo's says
June 22 at 7:32 pmThanks Shauna!
Nancie says
June 22 at 4:53 pmI got your email on how to clean stainless steel!
Robyn Gist says
June 22 at 4:58 pmDid receive your email, just no stainless in my house either.
Sharon says
June 22 at 5:13 pmI received your stainless cleaner email…I enjoy your blog!
Pat Kessler says
June 22 at 8:36 pmI received your email and plan to try out the vinegar cleaner this week.
Arline says
December 29 at 10:00 amYou 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
debbiedoo's says
December 29 at 1:41 pmJust about 2-3 tablespoons. You can also just use a microfiber cloth and have the vinegar on that. Always wipe against the grain.
Wynema says
June 22 at 8:42 pmI received the info. Thanks
Jean E says
June 24 at 10:53 amI 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!
debbiedoo's says
June 24 at 3:09 pmI 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:)
Jean says
June 25 at 4:54 amI 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.
debbiedoo's says
June 25 at 7:50 amGreat Jean! Nice to see you.
Rita says
June 25 at 9:18 amJust 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 !
debbiedoo's says
June 25 at 7:01 pmThanks Rita!
Debbie says
June 25 at 6:35 pmLove everything,I’ve received all email. Thank you
Sam Solo says
February 6 at 9:39 pmI 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.