Last updated on October 8th, 2024
Keeping a stainless steel fridge clean and pristine can be a challenge. To clean stainless steel appliances you need the right approach to maintain their sleek, polished appearance without causing damage. While it’s tempting to use harsh cleaners or abrasive tools on tough stains, doing so can scratch the clear protective coating on most fridges, leaving highly visible marks that are impossible to remove. The key to keeping a stainless steel fridge looking its best is regular maintenance with gentle, non-abrasive cleaners. If you’re after a guide more focussed on cleaning your fridge check out our post here.
What Not to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances With
To keep your stainless steel fridge clean or to clean stainless steel appliances generally, it’s essential to avoid certain products and methods that can cause lasting damage. It’s important to know that while some stainless steel surfaces—like sinks—are made from 316 grade stainless steel, which is more resistant to rust, while most household appliances, including fridges, are made from 304 grade stainless steel which is cheaper, but much more susceptible to rust. To protect the 304 grade stainless steel appliance manufacturers protect it with a clear coat of paint. This clear coat gives the appliance its shiny polished look and shields the stainless steel from the outside world, but it is easily damaged if cleaned improperly. Importantly too, if you scratch through the clear coat, you might expose the steel underneath, and this can also lead to rust spots developing over time. When using these abrasive cleaners, one of the big traps people fall into is that the scratches are not immediately visible when the surface is wet, it’s only when the surface dries that the scratches become obvious and evident.
Never Use Harsh Stainless Steel Cleaners
Some sources suggest using abrasive cleaners like Barkeepers Friend or Jif to keep a stainless steel fridge clean but this is very poor advice. Many use these abrasive cleaners because they’re labelled as stainless steel cleaners and work well on sinks or benchtops, only to find out too late they’ve ruined their stainless steel finish. These products will almost always damage the clear coat on your stainless steel fridge. Using abrasive cleaners will scratch the clear coat, and these scratches are awfully visible. Once the surface is scratched, it will be dull patchy, and look scratched. These scratches cannot be fixed short of replacing the fridge door.
Never Use Rough Sponges or Scourers
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Never Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is far too abrasive to use cleaning stainless steel and will scratch it.
Don't Even Use your Finger Nails
The clear coat on stainless steel fridges is so fragile that scratching the surface to remove sticky residue is enough to scratch it.
Frequent Maintenance Is Key
The best way to clean stainless steel appliances and avoid the need for harsh cleaners is to clean them frequently. This prevents stains and marks from setting in and becoming stubborn. If you let stains sit for too long, they may become impossible to remove without harsher cleaners or scrubbing pads.
What to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances With
Before diving into the cleaning process, it’s important to know what to clean stainless steel with. The best products for stainless steel are non-abrasive and free from harsh chemicals. Stick to gentle cleaners like:
- Warm water mixed with a small amount of dish soap
- White vinegar
- Olive Oil
- Baby Oil
- Club Soda
- Commercial cleaners designed specifically for appliance stainless steel
You’ll also need microfiber cloths or soft towels to prevent scratches.
How to Clean a Stainless Steel Fridge
Now that you have your supplies ready, it’s time to clean your stainless steel fridge. Follow these steps to ensure a spotless, shiny surface.
- Wipe Away Dust and Debris: Start by gently wiping down the surface with a dry microfiber cloth to remove any loose dust or dirt. This prevents scratches when you start scrubbing.
- Create a Cleaning Solution: For regular cleaning, mix warm water with a drop of dish soap in a spray bottle.
- Wipe with the Grain: Stainless steel has a grain—tiny lines that run across the surface. Always clean along these lines so that if you do scratch the surface it runs with the grain and will be much less visible. Spray your cleaning solution onto the fridge and use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the surface in the direction of the grain.
- Rinse and Dry: After wiping down the surface with your cleaning solution, use a damp cloth to remove any soap or vinegar residue. Follow this with a dry microfiber cloth to avoid streaks and watermarks.
- Avoid Watermarks: Always dry the surface immediately after cleaning to prevent watermarks and streaks.
How to Remove Stains from Stainless Steel
If your fridge has stains, you may need to put in a little extra effort. Here’s how to remove stains from stainless steel:
If your stainless steel fridge has stubborn marks or stains, tackling them can be tricky without causing damage. Here’s how to approach stain removal on stainless steel, keeping in mind the delicate clear coat most stainless steel appliances have.
Workshop Degreaser for General Stains
Commonly found in automotive stores like Repco or Supercheap, workshop degreaser is effective for many marks and is gentle enough to use on your stainless steel fridge. Apply a small amount to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, and wipe it away with a soft cloth, making sure to follow the grain of the steel.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil can work well for some stains, but be cautious as it can be aggressive enough to soften the clear coat if left on too long. Use sparingly, applying with a soft cloth and wiping it off promptly. It will also “melt” some plastics, and leave very visible permanent marks on clear plastics, so be sure to avoid plastic trims.
Acetone for Stubborn Stains
For tougher stains, acetone or nail polish remover can be effective, but use it sparingly. Acetone is quite aggressive and may leave a mark on the clear coat, so it really is a last resort. It will also “melt” most plastics and leave the same visible permanent marks on clear plastic parts that eucalyptus oil will, so be very sure to keep it away from plastic parts. Apply a small amount with a cloth or cotton bud in only the area of the mark, and wipe off quickly to minimise any potential damage.
Phosphoric Acid for Rust Stains
Phosphoric acid, available at most hardware stores often sold as concrete cleaner, can help reduce the visibility of rust stains. However, it’s important to note that it will usually leave a mark, the affected area will likely be a brighter shade and stand out more than the rust stain. If the rust is under the clear coat, phosphoric acid won’t work. In that case, the only way to treat the rust is to scratch off the clear coat and apply the acid directly, but this will almost certainly result in an even more visible mark than the rust itself. In many cases, it’s better to leave the rust spot alone to avoid worsening the appearance of your fridge.