I’ve gotten a lot of requests over the years to write a post about the best way to clean stainless steel appliances. The trouble was that up until a year or so ago, I didn’t have any stainless steel appliances to work with! And I really like to try things out myself before I post about them, so I put that idea on the back burner for a later date.
And then life happened, as it tends to do, and I had pretty much forgotten about the idea entirely. Until recently! Luckily enough, I now have two stainless steel appliances to work with: the fridge at our studio, and the fridge in my kitchen. (My home fridge was purchased not too long ago, as a replacement for our old fridge that bit the dust.) So consider this post the fulfillment of those requests, even if it was belated by a few years. 😉
I came across the perfect stainless steel cleaner in Leslie Reichert’s book, “The Joy of Green Cleaning“. My sister Rebecca and I have both used this cleaner independently, and we both agree: no other stainless steel cleaner makes our appliances shine like this one does! Here’s how to make it.
Stainless Steel Cleaner
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of baking soda
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 3 Tablespoons Borax
- Club soda
Lemon juice and baking soda can both be used to clean stainless steel, as lemon juice is naturally acidic, while baking soda is naturally abrasive. Borax has many household uses thanks to its low toxicity so it does not react with stainless steel. These natural cleaners are just as effective as chemical cleaners, but less expensive and safer to use.
Directions:
Combine the baking soda, lemon juice, and borax in a small bowl and stir to combine. Then add just enough club soda to make a thick paste.
Dip a rag into the paste, and rub the paste onto your stainless steel appliances.
Then gently wipe the paste off with another wet rag.
Finish off the whole process by wiping down your appliances with a damp microfiber cloth for extra shine!
So to all you stainless steel appliance owners: you now have a powerful ally in the fight against smudges and fingerprints. Go forth and clean, and enjoy all that shine!
