Cleaning Experts: Skip the Paper Towels on Stainless Steel
Two professional cleaners tell NBC Select that warm water, dish soap and microfiber cloths — wiped with the grain — handle most smudges, while bleach and scouring pads do lasting damage.
Stainless steel appliances look sharp until the first fingerprint. Professional cleaners interviewed by NBC Select say the fix is simpler than most shoppers assume, and that the bigger risk is using the wrong tool.
Kadi Dulude, owner of the cleaning company Wizard of Homes, and Robin Murphy, chief cleaning officer at Maid Brigade, both said the most important rule is to avoid abrasive materials and paper towels. Murphy said that also rules out bleach, scouring pads, steel wool and oily products. Overly abrasive scrub pads can leave scratches on the surface, the experts said.
What works instead, according to the two, is a microfiber cloth. Dulude said microfiber is well suited to stainless steel because it is neither too rough nor too textured to damage the finish, and she recommended keeping several on hand — separate cloths for different areas and for washing versus drying.
The four-step method
1. Gather a clean microfiber cloth, a bowl of warm water and a dish soap. 2. Add a few drops of soap to the warm water and mix. 3. Fold the cloth several times, dip it in the soapy water and wring out the excess. 4. Wipe and buff the appliance going with the grain. Go over it again with a second cloth dampened in plain warm water, then dry with a third cloth to remove residue.
For a deeper clean, the experts said stainless steel wipes can be used with the grain, followed by a dry microfiber cloth until the surface is dry and shiny.
On products, Dulude and Murphy both recommended Weiman's stainless steel sprays and wipes for smudges and fingerprints. Murphy said the spray leaves a protective layer that keeps residue from showing up later. For plain dish soap, she recommended an eco-friendly option such as Seventh Generation, saying gentler ingredients wear less on the surface over time. NBC Select senior editor Shalwah Evans said she uses Weiman wipes on her dishwasher, oven and microwave at least once a month: "When paired with a microfiber cloth they keep my stainless steel sparkling and company ready."
This article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), in accordance with our editorial policy.
