Okay, raise your hand if your stainless-steel fridge looks like it was licked by a toddler and then rolled in butter.
Yeaaaaaaah, same! LOL.
Alright, let’s just get into it. I’m not gonna pretend this is glamorous—because, let’s be real, it’s a blog post about cleaning. Homemade stainless steel cleaner for appliances? Yeah, nobody’s throwing confetti. I tried to make it sexy. It’s not.
I’ve tried every DIY stainless steel cleaner on the internet—some worked like magic, some just made things worse, and one left me with a streaky disaster that smelled like last weeks’ forgotten leftovers.
So, if you’re looking for a DIY stainless steel cleaner for appliances that’s cheap, easy, and doesn’t leave sticky goo or weird smells behind, I got you, boo.
Let’s break it down the Maya Waters way—quick tips, no fluff, and no judgment if your microwave has mystery smears from 2023. Wait. Nope. That’s from 2022.
First Things First: Know Your Steel’s “Grain”
Yup, stainless steel has grain—like wood. Some go left to right, some go up and down. You want to clean with the grain, or you’ll end up with smudges, or worse, scratches.
It’s easy: just stare at your appliance like it owes you money. You’ll see which way the lines run. That’s the direction you scrub.
The Best DIY Stainless Steel Cleaner
(Drumroll Please…)
Dish soap and coconut oil.
No joke.
This combo is the Beyoncé of stainless steel cleaners. Dish soap gets rid of grime, grease, and toddler goo. Coconut oil brings the shine.
Here’s what you do:
- Mix a few drops of dish soap (Dawn is the GOAT) in warm water
- Dip a microfiber cloth or non-scratch sponge in it
- Scrub with the grain
- Dry with a clean towel
- Buff with a paper towel and a tiny dab of coconut oil
Boom. Sparkly. And it smells like vacation.
Tried Baking Soda?
Here’s the Tea.
So, baking soda has grit without being scratchy. That’s great! But it’s also messier than a toddler with glitter.
You mix it with a bit of water into a paste, scrub it on, then wipe it off with a damp cloth. It does clean well—but it won’t give you that shiny finish unless you follow it up with oil.
I like to call this the “I want it clean and cute” method.
Vinegar + Olive Oil:
Sounds Fancy, But…
I know the internet loves this mix. I tried it. It streaked like a bad spray tan and smelled like disappointment.
Even after buffing, it felt weird—like rubbing your hand on a chalkboard. Some people swear by it, but for me? Meh.
If you really want to try it, use vinegar first, dry it, then buff with a teensy bit of olive oil. Mixing them was a mess.
Want to Use Store-Bought Cleaners?
Read This First.
If you’re not into DIY (no shame!), Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser or Sprayway Stainless Steel Cleaner are solid choices.
But here’s the catch: a little goes a long way. Too much and it gets sticky, fast. Always follow up with a dry microfiber towel to buff off the extra.
Pro tip: Never use bleach, steel wool, or those green scratchy pads. Unless you want your fridge to look like it went through a cat fight.
Hard Water or Rust?
Here’s the Fix.
I know—it’s called stainless steel, but surprise! It still stains! (False advertising if you ask me.)
For hard water spots or rust:
- Use white vinegar or Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser
- Always spot test first
- Use a non-scratch scrubber like a Scrub Daddy (trust me)
- Rinse well and dry it off completely
Don’t use the powder version of Bar Keepers—it’s simply way too rough for pretty appliances.
TL;DR – My Go-To DIY Stainless Steel Cleaner for Appliances
If you’re short on time or just want the cheat sheet, here it is. This is the best diy stainless steel appliances cleaner that worked best, in my opinion:
- Use dish soap + warm water to clean
- Dry with a towel
- Buff with a teeny bit of coconut oil
- Always wipe with the grain
- Avoid bleach, olive oil overload, and crusty green sponges
This method is cheap, beginner-proof, and leaves your appliances looking like they belong in a showroom (instead of a crime scene).
One Last Mom Hack
I clean my stainless-steel appliances like… once every two weeks. Tops. Usually when I’m already doing dishes and I’m holding a sponge anyway.
So, I just grab some soapy water, wipe the fridge, dry it, and boom—shine it up with coconut oil. No extra cleaner to buy, and no toxic smells. Your kitchen will sparkle, and your wallet will thank you.
Now go forth and de-smudge that fridge. You got this.
And if you loved this cleaning hack, you might like my post on frugal living tips. Because budget glam is the best glad I do.
