The Best Way to Clean a Stainless Steel Fridge (+ Other DIY Methods)

A stainless steel fridge can turn your kitchen into a modern heaven, but cleaning it can sometimes get tricky. If you’re tired of streaks, spots, and fingerprints, we’ve got you covered. We interviewed cleaning professionals and appliance specialists to teach you the best way to clean stainless steel refrigerators , as well as other DIY cleaning methods to try. Plus, we’ll explain what products not to use on stainless steel.

Expert Tips for Cleaning Stainless Steel

House cleaning professional Raymond Chiu says to wipe the surface with a microfiber cloth with warm water and a couple drops of dish soap. Wipe with the grain in an S pattern to avoid scratching the surface. Use a second damp cloth to rinse off the soap, then dry the fridge with another clean, dry microfiber cloth.

Section 1 of 6:

The Best Way to Clean Stainless Steel Refrigerators

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Spray the refrigerator with water and dish soap. In a spray bottle, combine water and a few drops of dish soap. Shake it well, then spray it on the stainless steel surface. Alternatively, dampen a clean microfiber cloth and add a drop or two of dish soap. ^{[1]
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Meet the wikiHow Experts

Raymond Chiu is a house cleaning professional and the owner of Maid Sailors Cleaning Service, which has locations in New York City, Boston, Chicago, and Austin.

Gevorg Grigorian is an appliance repair expert and the owner of G and R Appliance Repair in Los Angeles, California. He has over 15 years of experience.

Dario Ragnolo is a house cleaning professional and the owner and founder of Tidy Town Cleaning, a home cleaning service based in Los Angeles, California.

James Sears is a house cleaning professional who leads the customer happiness team at Neatly, a group of cleaning gurus based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California.

Filip Boksa is a house cleaning professional and the CEO and founder of King of Maids, a cleaning company based in Chicago, Illinois. He has over 10 years of experience.
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Wipe the surface, going along with its grain. Take a close look at your fridge’s surface to find its grain, the subtle lines or striations that run in a certain direction. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe the surface in this direction, moving in an S pattern. This will prevent your stainless steel from developing scratches or residue buildup. ^{[2]
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- Make sure to use a microfiber cloth, as general-purpose towels may scratch the stainless steel.
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Rinse the surface with another damp microfiber cloth, then dry. Dampen another clean microfiber cloth and wipe off the soapy residue, continuing to wipe in an S pattern with the grain. Occasionally, rinse your cloth in clean water so you don’t redistribute the soap. Then, grab another clean, dry microfiber cloth and dry the appliance to avoid streaks and water marks. ^{[3]
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- Cleaning a stainless steel appliance shouldn’t take long. Depending on the size of your fridge, the entire process should only take 10-30 minutes.
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Alternatively, use a commercial stainless steel cleaner. Dish soap and water are typically enough to clean the surface of a stainless steel appliance. However, if you want something a bit stronger, opt for a stainless steel cleaner . Appliance repair specialist Gevorg Grigorian says, “I would use the specified stainless steel cleaners to get the optimal shine and cleanliness.” ^{[4]
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Expert Source

Gevorg Grigorian
Appliance Repair Expert

Expert Interview} Follow the instructions on the bottle to apply it correctly, but in general, spray it on the refrigerator and wipe it with a microfiber cloth, working with the grain.
- Grigorian also recommends using stainless steel wipes: “Wipes work a little better [than sprays] because you don’t overspray, and [they don’t] coat the stainless steel as much.” ^{[5]
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  Gevorg Grigorian
  Appliance Repair Expert
  
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Section 2 of 6:

How to Remove Hard Water Stains from Stainless Steel

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Remove hard water stains with vinegar. Soak a microfiber cloth in distilled white vinegar and apply it directly to the stained area. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then fill a spray bottle with water and a few drops of dish soap. Spray the refrigerator down, then wipe it with a clean microfiber cloth, working with the grain and moving in an S pattern. Use another damp microfiber cloth to wipe off any residue, then dry it with another microfiber cloth to avoid leaving more water stains. ^{[6]
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- Hard water spots typically look like white, chalky splotches. They may turn into rust over time.
- Note: Many cleaning professionals recommend using vinegar to clean stainless steel , but because vinegar is acidic, there is a chance it could corrode stainless steel. If you’re worried, dilute it with water and test it in an inconspicuous area. Or, opt for another cleaning method.

Section 3 of 6:

How to Remove Rust Stains from Stainless Steel

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Remove rust stains with a baking soda paste. “Despite the name, stainless steel is susceptible to rusting if the outer layer becomes damaged,” explains house cleaning professional Raymond Chiu. “Create a mixture of baking soda and warm water until it forms a thick paste. Apply the paste with a soft-bristled brush or clean cloth and scrub on the rust with the grain of the stainless steel. Once the rust is removed , rinse the area with water and a clean, soft cloth. Repeat the process as necessary.” ^{[7]
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Expert Source

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview}
- “Sometimes, rust is so deep inside the steel that it is not possible to remove it,” explains house cleaning professional Dario Ragnolo. “You can try to use CLR products, but not on delicate appliances or surfaces, as it is an aggressive product.” ^{[8]
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  Dario Ragnolo
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  Expert Interview}

Section 4 of 6:

How to Remove Tarnish from Stainless Steel

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Remove tarnish with lemon juice. House cleaning professional James Sears says, “You can use a lemon or lemon juice for its acidic properties to remove tarnish from stainless steel. Soak [the tarnished area] with water and lemon juice, or rub it with a lemon or [a lemon-juice soaked cloth].” ^{[9]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview}

Section 5 of 6:

How to Shine Up Stainless Steel

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Apply a bit of oil for shine. If you want your stainless steel fridge to look extra shiny, wipe its surface down with a few drops of vegetable, olive, or lemon oil . When applied with the grain, these oils can remove fingerprints and keep your stainless steel looking like new. Don’t use too much, though, or you’ll be left with a greasy mess. ^{[10]
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- Some oils, like baby oil, can attract dust over time and make fingerprints more apparent. Aim to do this treatment no more than once a month.

Section 6 of 6:

What to Avoid When Cleaning Stainless Steel

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Do not use abrasive materials or chemicals on stainless steel. Stainless steel develops scratches very easily, so it’s important to use gentle cleaning products and materials. Never use anything abrasive, like scrubbing brushes or scouring powder, as this will only damage the surface. Avoid harsh chemicals, too. “Bleach on stainless steel is a big no,” says Chiu. ^{[11]
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Expert Source

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview}
- If you aren’t sure if a product is safe to use, check your appliance’s owner’s manual.
- Grigorian suggests avoiding commercial cleaning products that aren’t specifically designed for stainless steel. “For example, cleaning products like Windex…[are] going to streak.” ^{[12]
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  Appliance Repair Expert
  
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- If you do accidentally scratch your stainless steel, Sears says it’s possible to buff out small scratches. “Use a household item, such as toothpaste. Apply [it] and buff in the direction of the grain. If you buff against the grain, you will only make it worse.” ^{[13]
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  James Sears
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- If toothpaste doesn’t cut it, house cleaning professional Filip Boksa says, “The best way to remove scratches from any stainless steel surface would be to use a stainless steel repair kit. These can be found in most hardware stores.” ^{[14]
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  House Cleaning Professional
  
  Expert Interview}

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Question

I cleaned my stainless steel refrigerator with Cerma Bryte Brightener, thinking it was the polish, and it is streaky now. What can I do?

Community Answer

Use Weiman stainless steel wipes or spray. Follow up with a dry, microfiber cloth.

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What's the best cloth to use when cleaning stainless steel appliances?

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Use a microfiber cloth, something very soft. In a pinch, use an old t-shirt or underwear.

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I cleaned my stainless steel refrigerator with stainless steel cleaner. How do I get rid of the smears?

Community Answer

I use apple cider vinegar and my fridge is totally spotless. Spray a clean cloth with the vinegar, wipe the fridge, then use another clean cloth to wipe it again. The results are amazing.

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Tips

Check your appliance’s owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to clean it.

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Club soda works quite well on stainless steel, but many people don’t like to use it because it is messy.

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All of the cleaning products mentioned in this article can also be used to clean your stainless steel pans, utensils , sinks , and countertops.

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Warnings

Some commercial cleaners can harm your floors. As a precaution, cover the floor surrounding the refrigerator with towels or an old rug before you spray a cleaner on the refrigerator.

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Use gloves to protect your hands from chemicals in commercial cleaners.

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Expert Source

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Appliance Repair Expert

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Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional

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Dario Ragnolo
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[9]

James Sears
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The Best Way to Clean a Stainless Steel Fridge (+ Other DIY Methods)

Expert Tips for Cleaning Stainless Steel

Steps

The Best Way to Clean Stainless Steel Refrigerators

How to Remove Hard Water Stains from Stainless Steel

How to Remove Rust Stains from Stainless Steel

How to Remove Tarnish from Stainless Steel

How to Shine Up Stainless Steel

What to Avoid When Cleaning Stainless Steel

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Community Q&A

Tips

Warnings

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