The Best Ways to Clean & Polish Stainless Steel Cutlery

Stainless steel is a type of metal that doesn't rust or stain easily, but over time, stainless steel utensils can become dirty and tarnished. We talked to house cleaning experts Raymond Chiu and Amy Mikhaiel to find out everything you need to know about cleaning stainless steel cutlery, including how to handwash your utensils , what to know about putting them in the dishwasher , and tons of options for removing stains or tarnish . Plus, learn how to polish your cutlery so it shines like new!

How do you clean stainless steel kitchen utensils?

House cleaning professional Raymond Chiu recommends cleaning stainless steel utensils with warm, soapy water and a microfiber cloth. Try buffing out heavy stains with a paste made of baking soda and water or baking soda and dish soap. When you’re finished, towel-dry the utensils to avoid streaks.

Section 1 of 5:

Handwashing Stainless Steel Cutlery

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1
Wash the cutlery with soapy water and a microfiber cloth. Mix up a little warm, soapy water, then dip a microfiber cloth into the water. Then, Chiu says to use the microfiber cloth to rub the utensils clean, “wiping with the direction of the grain.” ^{[1]
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Expert Source

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview} On cutlery, this will typically be lengthwise along the utensil.
- Wash your stainless steel utensils as soon as possible after using them. Some ingredients in food residue, like acids or salt, can etch the finish of your cutlery. ^{[2]
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Meet the wikiHow Experts

Raymond Chiu is the owner of Maid Sailors Cleaning Service, rated #1 Best Cleaning Service in New York City by Time Out.

Amy Mikhaiel is a house cleaning guru and the CEO of Amy's Angels Cleaning Inc., a residential and commercial cleaning company in Los Angeles, California.
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Rinse the cutlery, then dry it thoroughly. When you’re finished, rinse away any soapy residue under fresh running water. Chiu recommends “towel drying the utensils to avoid streaks.” ^{[3]
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Expert Source

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview}
- To avoid discoloration, be sure the cutlery is completely dry before you put it away.

Section 2 of 5:

Cleaning Stainless Steel Cutlery in a Dishwasher

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Rinse food residue off your cutlery if you’re not going to wash it right away. If you toss your cutlery straight into the dishwasher and let it sit for a while, stubborn bits of food or sauce might discolor the stainless steel. To prevent that, lightly rinse the utensils with hot water before placing them in the dishwasher. ^{[4]
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- Pay special attention to cracks, crevices, and other places where food easily builds up, including the tines of forks and the bowls of spoons.
EXPERT TIP

Amy Mikhaiel
House Cleaning Professional
Amy Mikhaiel is a cleaning guru and the CEO of Amy's Angels Cleaning Inc., a residential and commercial cleaning company in Los Angeles, California. Amy's Angels was voted Best Cleaning Service by Angie’s Lists in 2018 and was the most requested cleaning company by Yelp in 2019. Amy's mission is to help women achieve their financial goals by establishing empowerment through cleaning.

Amy Mikhaiel
House Cleaning Professional

If your cutlery is rusted, you can't use it any longer. It's hard to tell the difference between stains and rust, but if your cutlery is rusted, you can't clean it, and it's not safe to use.
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Run the dishwasher on a normal or heavy cycle. Choose the setting on your dishwasher that best reflects the condition of your cutlery. In most cases, a normal cycle should be sufficient, but especially dirty flatware might require a heavy cycle. Use a chlorine-free, salt-free detergent to avoid corrosion on your stainless steel. ^{[5]
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- Turn off the drying cycle if you can—heat can discolor the utensils.
- Don’t overcrowd the silverware holder in your dishwasher—the utensils may not get fully clean if the water can’t reach them.
- Don’t mix silverware and stainless steel cutlery in the same wash. The two metals can react with each other and cause discoloration. ^{[6]
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Remove your cutlery and dry it as soon as the cycle is complete. Don’t let your stainless steel flatware air-dry in the dishwasher. Take it out and thoroughly dry each piece with a soft, dry cloth. This will help reduce spots left on your cutlery. ^{[7]
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- If you see heat streaks or residual stains, buff them away with a soft dishcloth or polishing cloth. If you like, you can also add a little olive oil or mineral oil to reduce streaking. ^{[8]
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Section 3 of 5:

Removing Stains & Tarnish from Stainless Steel Cutlery

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Baking soda and water paste Chiu says that a baking soda and warm water paste is an effective and inexpensive way to remove heavy stains from stainless steel cutlery. ^{[9]
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Expert Source

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview} Sprinkle a little baking soda into a bowl, then mix in just enough water to form a thick paste. Use your fingers or a microfiber cloth to buff the mixture into the stainless steel.
- A baking soda paste is especially effective at removing rust stains from stainless steel cutlery. ^{[10]
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  Research source} But it can take a little time, so be patient.
- When you’re finished, rinse and dry the cutlery.
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Baking soda and dish soap paste Mixing baking soda and dish soap is another inexpensive way to make a DIY scrub for your stainless steel utensils. Add baking soda to a bowl first, then add 1–2 squirts of dish soap. Stir everything together, adding more baking soda or dish soap as needed until you get a thick paste. Use your fingers, a microfiber cloth, or a soft toothbrush to buff the paste into your cutlery until it’s clean. ^{[11]
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- This can be especially effective for removing dark spots or scorch marks from stainless steel cutlery.
- Rinse and dry the utensil after you’re finished.
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Buffing with vinegar or lemon juice Sometimes a mild acid will help break down residual food stains or stubborn tarnish. Dip a microfiber cloth in distilled white vinegar or lemon juice, then use the cloth to gently buff any stains out of the cutlery. When you’re finished, rinse well—leaving acid on the stainless steel could etch the surface. ^{[12]
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- Use a dry towel to dry the utensils when you’re finished.
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Baking soda and aluminum foil soak Line a baking tray with aluminum foil, shiny side up. Sprinkle baking soda across the surface of the aluminum, then place the utensils in a single layer on the bottom of the tray. Make sure each piece is touching the aluminum foil. Then, pour in enough very hot water to completely cover all of the cutlery. Let it soak for about 5–10 minutes, then rinse and dry. ^{[13]
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- When the baking soda dissolves, it will create a chemical reaction with the aluminum foil that will help remove tarnish from the stainless steel. ^{[14]
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5
Diluted vinegar soak Fill a large bowl with a mixture of about 8 parts hot water to 1 part distilled white vinegar. Place your stainless steel cutlery into the bowl and let it soak for about 5–10 minutes. Then, take it out and rinse it thoroughly, then buff it with a microfiber cloth. ^{[15]
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- If you’re using about 0.5 US gal (1.9 L) of water, add about 1 c (240 mL) of vinegar.
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Commercial scrubs If you don’t want to bother with a DIY option—or you have really tough stains that DIY cleaners didn’t remove—try a commercial stainless steel cookware cleaner . They typically come in powder or liquid form. If you purchase a liquid product, just squirt a little onto a cloth, then use it to scrub the utensils. If your cleaner is a powder, you may need to mix it with a little water before using it. ^{[16]
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- Some stainless steel cleaners may be intended for appliances and might not be food-safe. Read the label to ensure any product you use is safe to use on cookware and utensils.
- Some people prefer using powder because they can easily control the thickness of the paste.
- The most popular stainless steel cleaner is Barkeeper’s Friend , but other options like Kleen King , Made In , and All-Clad are also popular.

Section 4 of 5:

Polishing Stainless Steel Cutlery

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Use a specially formulated polish. Many commercial stainless steel cleaners , like the ones mentioned above, do double duty as a polish. Just be sure you choose one that’s intended to be used on cookware and cutlery—appliance polishes may not be food-safe.
- Follow the label instructions on your polish for best results. Generally, spray some polisher on a soft cloth and buff your cutlery until the metal is bright.
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Use olive oil for an inexpensive DIY option. Add 1–2 drops of olive oil to a microfiber cloth, then use that to polish your stainless steel cutlery. This is a great way to add shine to your utensils if you don’t want to use a commercial polish. ^{[17]
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- Some people also use mineral oil or lemon oil.

Section 5 of 5:

Avoiding Common Mistakes

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Don’t use harsh cleaners or abrasives. Steel wool, scrubbing pads, and cleaners that contain chlorine bleach or chloride could all damage the finish of your stainless steel utensils. ^{[18]
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Research source} If you’re not sure whether a cleaner is safe for your flatware, test it on a small, inconspicuous area first, like the back of a handle.
- Use mild detergents and soft cloths or brushes for cleaning.
- Check the care instructions that came with your cutlery—it may contain specific directions for cleaning.
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Don’t let cutlery air dry. The longer you let water sit on your stainless steel utensils, the more likely it is to develop water spots. These spots can be a little stubborn to clean, so it’s better to avoid them in the first place. Always dry your stainless steel cutlery with a soft microfiber cloth, then place it in a clean, dry area for storage. ^{[19]
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- Also, don’t leave dirty cutlery in your dishwasher without rinsing the food off of it first, or the food residue could damage the finish.

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What is the best cleaner for stainless steel?

Amy Mikhaiel
House Cleaning Professional
Amy Mikhaiel is a cleaning guru and the CEO of Amy's Angels Cleaning Inc., a residential and commercial cleaning company in Los Angeles, California. Amy's Angels was voted Best Cleaning Service by Angie’s Lists in 2018 and was the most requested cleaning company by Yelp in 2019. Amy's mission is to help women achieve their financial goals by establishing empowerment through cleaning.

Amy Mikhaiel

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

One cleaning option is to use baking soda and aluminum foil. Add water and two spoonfuls of baking soda to a large pot and then place folded pieces of aluminum foil inside. Boil the water and put your stainless steel pieces in the water. The stains will start disappearing. Afterward, use warm water and soap to wash them like normal.

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I tested a new stainless steel cheese knife against the side of an uncut round of French Camembert and now it has indelible marks on its blade! None of the usual techniques are working, what can I do?

Community Answer

Use a liquid or paste Stainless Steel Cleaner on the discolored area and rub it with a cloth or sponge and that should remove it. You may have to leave the cleaner on for a few minutes if the spot is not first removed.

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Our stainless steel utensils are turning grey. Can they be restored?

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Add a small amount of bleach, about 1/4 cup, to one gallon of hot soapy water and let them soak for about 10 minutes. Then wash and dry.

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The Best Ways to Clean & Polish Stainless Steel Cutlery

How do you clean stainless steel kitchen utensils?

Steps

Handwashing Stainless Steel Cutlery

Cleaning Stainless Steel Cutlery in a Dishwasher

Removing Stains & Tarnish from Stainless Steel Cutlery

Polishing Stainless Steel Cutlery

Avoiding Common Mistakes

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Expert Q&A

Tips

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