Stainless steel – that wonderful material everyone falls in love with for their kitchens, bathrooms, appliances, cookware and even outdoor furniture . Because its so durable & attractive, and basically rust-proof there’s no surprise it’s so well liked . But honestly, it can lose its shine over time due to fingerprints, water spots, grease, dust and just the wear and tear of everyday life.
You are in luck – restoring its appearance is generally a piece of cake to do . If you’re wondering how to polish stainless steel, you don’t need to break the bank or hire a professional . With the right techniques & some common household products you can easily bring back that original shine & get it looking like new.
This guide will walk you through the process of how to polish stainless steel safely, get rid of those streaks & keep that clean, professional finish.
Why Does Stainless Steel Lose Its Shine In the First Place?
While stainless steel is pretty good at resisting corrosion & staining, it’s not invincible.
Things that can cause it to lose its shine include:
- Fingerprints – yeah, we know it’s a thing
- Water spots – because who doesn’t love a good water spot?
- Grease building up – like after a nice fatty meal
- Dust & dirt – because cleaning is a chore
- Hard water deposits – which are basically a bane of most household’s existence
- Not cleaning it properly
Regular cleaning & polishing is key to keeping that smooth, shiny appearance that makes stainless steel so attractive in the first place.
The Grain of Stainless Steel – What’s the Big Deal?
Before you start polishing, take a moment to figure out the grain of your stainless steel – just like you would with wood.
You’ll likely notice a bunch of tiny lines running in one direction – that’s the grain. It’s worth paying attention to, because cleaning & polishing in the wrong direction can lead to scratches and a pretty rough finish.
What Supplies Do You Need?
For most stainless steel polishing projects you’re going to need just a few basic things:
- A few microfiber cloths – they’re super gentle and will pick up all the dirt & grime without scratching\
- Warm water
- Some mild dish soap – nothing too harsh
- White vinegar – which is basically a miracle worker when it comes to cleaning
- Olive oil or mineral oil – depending on what you have on hand
- A commercial stainless steel polish – if you want to really go all out (but be careful – some of these products can be pretty harsh.
- A spray bottle
Just steer clear of using any abrasive scrubbers that can actually scratch the surface.
Step 1: Clean the Surface First
Before you even think about polishing, you need to give the surface a good clean to get rid of all that dirt & grime.
Mix Up a Cleaning Solution
Grab a bowl or spray bottle & combine:
- Warm water
- A few drops of mild dish soap
Give it a good stir and then apply it to the stainless steel surface.
Wipe Down with a Microfiber Cloth
Take a soft microfiber cloth and wipe the whole surface down, following the direction of the grain. This will get rid of:
- Dust
- Fingerprints
- Food residue
- Grease
Once you’ve cleaned it all off, rinse it with a damp cloth to get rid of any soap residue.
Step 2: Dry Thoroughly
You don’t want any water spots mucking up your polishing process, so take a moment to dry the surface completely with a clean microfiber cloth.
Pay special attention to:
- Edges
- Handles
- Corners
- Seams
A dry surface is key to getting the best results.
Step 3: Remove Stubborn Water Spots
If water spots weren’t enough, stubborn ones can be especially pesky. But don’t worry – a little bit of white vinegar can go a long way.
Give It a Spray
Grab a spray bottle and add a small amount of white vinegar.
Wipe It Away
Take a microfiber cloth and wipe the vinegar away.
This will help dissolve any mineral deposits left by hard water.
Step 4: Add a Bit of Oil for a Natural Shine
Polishing stainless steel with oil is a pretty slick (no pun intended) way to get rid of streaks and restore that shiny appearance.
Get yourself some olive oil, mineral oil or even baby oil and place a few drops on a microfiber cloth.
Buff It Away
Rub the oil onto the stainless steel in the direction of the grain.
Work in small sections and use a clean cloth to buff away any excess oil.
This will leave your stainless steel looking smooth and shiny, with a protective layer to keep it looking that way.
Step 5: Use a Commercial Polish (Optional)
If you’ve got some really tough appliances to tackle, a commercial polish might be just what you need to get that extra shine.
Follow the instructions carefully, and be sure to test it on a small area first to make sure it won’t damage the surface.
Polishing Stainless Steel Appliances
Kitchen appliances are always going to be more prone to fingerprints and grease, so be sure to give them a good cleaning before polishing.
Just follow the steps above and you’ll be done in no time.
Polishing Stainless Steel Sinks
Stainless steel sinks are a bit trickier to clean than other surfaces, but with a bit of elbow grease and the right products you can get them sparkling in no time.
Remove Debris
Rinse away any food residue & soap buildup.
Clean It Up
Use some dish soap and warm water to give it a good scrub.
Remove Those Water Marks
If water marks are still a problem, grab some white vinegar and give it a good wipe down.
Polish It Up
Take some oil and buff it away with a microfiber cloth to get that shiny finish.Use just a wee bit of oil & give it a good buff with a microfiber cloth.
A polished sink’s just about as good as new in the brightness & cleanliness stakes.
Common Mistakes to steer clear of
Using Steel Wool
Steel wool is a mistake – it’ll scratch stainless steel surfaces something rotten.
Stick with a microfiber cloth instead.
Cleaning against the grain
Working against the grain, you’ll end up with visible marks and dull the shine something awful.
Harsh Chemicals to watch out for
Avoid anything with the following in it:
- Chlorine bleach – this is a no go for stainless steel
- Abrasive powders – they’ll take the shine right off
- Strong acids – these can do some serious damage to the finish
These kinds of products can leave your stainless steel looking like it’s been through the wringer.
Too much oil, please
Excess oil is just a magnet for dust and will leave a greasy sheen
Use less is more – a tiny bit is all you need
How to Keep Stainless Steel Looking its Best For Longer
Once you’ve gone to the trouble of polishing stainless steel, proper care is what’ll keep it looking sharp
Clean it regularly
Don’t let fingerprints and spills build up – clean them off immediately
Dry it off
Leaving standing water is just an invitation for spots & streaks to appear
Soft Cloths all the way
Microfibre cloths are the way to go because they clean effectively without scratching
Don’t go too rough with the scrubbing
Protect the finish – no abrasive tools or rough scrubbing pads.