Caring for stainless steel takes a light touch, writes John Shultz, of MCT.
Stainless-steel appliances.
They're eye-pleasing, sleek and almost a cliche these days.
But that ubiquity means many people are wrestling with the same problem: how to keep stainless steel clean, ward off scratches and keep a notoriously touchy surface factory-fresh.
Deservedly or not, stainless steel has picked up a reputation as something of a dirt magnet.
"It is a surface that requires a certain amount of attention," said Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman, deputy home editor at Consumer Reports. "A good way to understand that is to go to the appliance section at a store and look at the appliances. And you'll see they often do have fingerprints all over them."
If there's one silver lining to this, it's that manufacturers of appliances and household cleaning products have heard the concerns and fired back with waves of cleansers, coatings and stainless-steel alternatives.
When approaching stainless maintenance, think loosely of your car, said Scott Bennett, a kitchen and bath designer.
After all, many of the stainless cleaning products can act a bit like a car wax, Bennett said.
Also similar to car maintenance: stainless steel responds better to dedicated stainless cleaning products, he said.
"You can use other cleaners or just soap and water. But it will probably leave streaks and water spots. If you just take a damp cloth and wipe it down, you'll have streaks, and you'll do nothing to prevent fingerprints."
Others say it comes down to personal preference.
Jeff Adams, who runs a cleaning-supply store said if you want a glow, an oil-based stainless-steel cleaner is the way to go. But oil-based products can dull as soon as water hits the surface.
For a more natural look, Adams said he prefers non-ammonia glass cleaner or a water-based stainless cleaner.
"It's not going to give you a great shine; it's just going to clean it and remove smudges," he said.
Whatever you use, don't overdo it, he said. Fingerprints, smeared surfaces and grease build-up come largely from using too much stainless steel cleaner - and the more you use, the more money you're spending.
US-based Consumer Reports has found few differences among cleaners and recommends consumers pick the least expensive option available.
Another cleaning key: use a lint-free cloth. Paper towels will work fine, but lint-free microfibre probably will produce the best results.
Still too much of a hassle?
Consider eschewing stainless altogether in favour of faux-stainless veneers.
Unlike most true stainless-steel refrigerators, they have the benefit of being magnetic (meaning the family fridge can once again become an art display and open-air filing cabinet).
And faux-stainless veneers happen to be less expensive than true stainless.
Still, true uncoated stainless stands head and shoulders above the other options when it comes to scratch repair, because you can sand it.
With faux surfaces, or even coated stainless, sanding is not going to produce much more than a mess, said Rick Muscoplat, contributing editor at The Family Handyman magazine.
Some cleaners will fill in scratches.
If sanding is your only real hope, however, solutions are available.
"As far as elbow grease, you're not going to break a sweat," Muscoplat said. But there is a certain touch involved.
"If you go across the grain, you get more scratches and can make it even worse," he said.
Make sure your brush strokes are straight and you don't curve away at the end of each one, he said. Test your skills first in an inconspicuous spot.
The end result, Muscoplat said, is hard to argue with, especially for a do-it-yourself project.
If the scratch is too bad or if there is a serious crease-style dent, replacing the door may be the only repair option.
For some owners, including Muscoplat, stainless steel just isn't worth it.
"I spent more time cleaning it than any appliance I ever owned," he said.
"I'd probably never buy stainless again."
For other owners, stainless is likely to be the finish of choice for years to come.
"You don't have to worry about it going the way of avocado green or harvest gold," Kuperszmid Lehrman said. "Stainless steel is around, it's popular, and it's probably not going away."
As for the cleaning issues, she said: "I think you're just going to have to ask yourself how crazy are you going to be about your finishes in the kitchen?"
Shiny and new
General care tips:
• Dusting with a soft cloth will add a quick shine to stainless steel.
• Never spray cleaners directly on the appliance surface. Apply the cleaner to a cloth and then wipe the surface down.
• Always go with the grain on stainless steel surfaces.
• Do not use cleaners with abrasives, steel wool or thinners.
• Use a dedicated stainless steel cleaner.
Scratch repair
Tips from The Family Handyman:
• Have several grit levels of sandpaper on hand. Start with the finest grit and move up as needed.
• Use light strokes and move with the grain.
• Keep your strokes straight.
• Use a sanding fluid to help prevent oxidation of the metal.
• Sand the rest of the panel to blend.
• Fingerprints, smeared surfaces and grease build-up come largely from using too much stainless-steel cleaner. When using stainless cleaner, a little goes a long way.
• To keep your stainless smudge-free, touch it up once a week.
