October 7, 2013
Quick Cleaning Tip: Stainless Steel Appliances
I have a quick cleaning tip/newsflash for you today. It’s revolutionary in my little cleaning world. If you’ve been reading here longer than a couple months you know that I cannot stand the smell of vinegar. But…..it is amazing to clean with – notice the 1 gallon jug! So I have been figuring out the absolute best ways to use it and what do you know – it’s a miracle worker on stainless steel. I’ve tried so many different stainless steel cleaners and combinations of stainless steel cleaners but this one is amazing. And it turns out, the reason vinegar hasn’t worked for me before with my stainless steel is that I had the APPLICATION all wrong. So if you’ve tried it before and been bummed that it didn’t work, try it again.
Check this out:
Let me know what you think and if this works for you. And in case you’re wondering….the pickle-y smell lasts all of 30 seconds and there’s NO NEED to rinse. Vinegar + microfiber = stainless steel magic!
Marie Says
Do you need to rinse it? If not, does the vinegar smell go away?
Becky Says
Post authorNO need to rinse and the smell lasts all of 30 seconds – it’s awesome!
Karen Says
Looks like it is time to buy another gallon of vinegar. I use it in the laundry and in cleaning other areas so keep on hand at all times.
Karin Says
Do you use a dry microfiber cloth or do you dampen it with water first before you put the vinegar on?
Becky Says
Post authorNo water – just dampen the cloth with vinegar 🙂
xo, Becky
Val Says
So you apply the vinegar and then dampen the cloth or do you apply the vinegar to a damp cloth?
Becky Says
Post authorApply the vinegar to the microfiber cloth – no water necessary 🙂
xo, Becky
Tamara Says
This is exactly what I wanted to know. But does it have to be distilled white vinegar or will any white vinegar do?
Becky Says
Post authorWhite vinegar 🙂
Derek Says
Wow this works great! Now if only cleaning the top of the oven was as easy as cleaning the front.
Adam Says
Wow, I did not know that. I will definitely have to pick up some vinegar and clean my fridge and stove!
Steph Says
Will this work on the stainless steel version that won’t show fingerprints? My fridge has more of a satin finish.
Becky Says
Post authorIt should!
Nichole Says
Actually vinegar works 2 ways in deodorizing the room too so the smell thing is actually a good thing.
Desiree Says
What about grease on stainless steel
Laura Says
It works great on greasy stainless steal! Use it on my vent hood, and on the bbq. Never tried it on my refrigerator but I am going too!
cathy Says
I use vinegar for everything. The smell doesn’t bother me, but my husband hates it. I put a bowl of vinegar in my son’s room because his clothes smelled like smoke all the time. It works!
cathy Says
I use vinegar and baking soda for everything. I put a bowl of vinegar in my son’s room because his clothes made the room smell like smoke. It worked! I love this site..I keep learning new things all the time. Thanks so much!
LaVonne Says
Wow, thank you so much for this idea. I just tried it and it works wonders. I love vinegar, it reminds me of my grandmother cleaning her windows…thank you!
Shirley Says
Wow! The vinegar worked like a charm on my fridge, sink, faucets, stove top and mirrors. five cents worth of vinegar worked better than the most expensive cleansers.
Kelli Mahoney Says
how do you always know what I need to know?
Cheryl_Piazza Says
I tried it as soon as I saw your pist, however the stubborn ones on the kitchen faucet didn’t come off. Any tips
Becky Says
Post authorYou might have to let the vinegar sit on the surface for a little bit first – saturate a cloth or paper towel with the vinegar.
Theresa Says
Vinegar does so much we should have a third faucet installed in our kitchens–for vinegar on tap!
Becky Says
Post authorYes!
Jennifer Says
Just tried it and it works great! The greasy residue by the top of the door and all! Thanks!
Deb Says
This is wonderful news. We just bought a house with stainless steal and my husband and I thought we were going to go crazy trying to keep them clean. How simple… we use vinegar all the time for other cleaning solutions. Thank you God for Clean Momma and for vinegar!
Kacie Says
I was wondering can I use paper towels instead of a microfiber cloth? I have used paper towels with the stainless steel cleaner I have but I’d love to change to vinigar if possible. Mine is just cheap brand vinigar though.
Thanks
Sheila Read Says
I use white vinegar in my laundry. NO odor, softest clothes and my laundry smells fresh and clean when I take them out of the washer. Cheapest fabric softener and no residue build-up left in laundry!
Heather Says
Didn’t work for me. I rubbed like crazy. Its a bit better but still looks bad. Maybe I’ll try a different kind of micorfiber cloth tomorrow.
Kathie Says
I put vinegar in a small spray bottle which makes it easier than handling a gallon bottle and convenient way of applying the vinegar on everything you want to clean. I also keep a small bottle (from the Dollar Store) of vinegar for laundry close to washing machine & just refill it from gallon jug with a funnel. EASY!
Kathie Says
I put vinegar in a small spray bottle, easy to carry round.
Elizabeth Says
Think vinegar is great for cleaning many things. Be aware you may have difficulty getting good results if you have used olive oil for prior cleanings. I had such a difficult time removing the oily residue. Finally used a soapy Dawn dish detergent sponge, rinsed and followed with the vinegar. Appliances are finally presentable, but will need a follow-up soap, vinegar routine before I can get the best results.
Ashley Says
Could you add lemon peel to the vinegar for a fresher scent and still get the same clean results?
Claire Says
G.E. told me to make a paste of baking soda and water (like toothpaste consistency), apply with a dry cloth, then wipe of with a clean damp cloth. Comes out perfect! NO other cleaners that are sold on the market should be used.
Gillian Says
Well, it certainly made them shiny! But now I have shiny streaks…..does it get better the more you do it?
Becky Says
Post authorIt should!
Andrea Says
One of my friends said Wd40 works the best on stainless steel cleaning.
Kathy Says
That worked great! It even took my dog’s tongue ???? marks off! Lol ????I love vinegar ❤️
Seema Says
Great idea! Where did you get that cute microfiber cloth?
Becky Says
Post authorI sell them!
https://clean-mama-home.myshopify.com/collections/cleaning-cloths
Nicole Says
Can you use the vinegar on “true” stainless steel? My fridge is true stainless steel whatever that means! Thank you!
b r Says
Post authorYes! That’s what mine is 🙂
Doris Says
I keep a spray bottle of vinegar in my bathroom and spray my feet between pedicures. So soft!!
Sammy Says
The vinegar won’t hurt wood stained cabin? The microfiber clothes seems to not hold onto the vinegar so I see others use spray bottle but concerned about overspray on cabinets. Your thoughts?
b r Says
Post authorI don’t spray the vinegar – I pour it on the microfiber cloths and wipe that way so it doesn’t get on the cabinets.