How to Clean Stainless Steel with Vinegar

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Vinegar is a common, natural household product that many people use to clean. It’s also a great way to free your stainless steel items of dirt, grime, and fingerprint marks. Vinegar’s mild acid can quickly and easily clean most stainless steel items you own. You can clean stainless steel items by wiping them down with a vinegar spray, polishing with natural oils, and using the proper cleaning techniques.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Wiping Down Your Stainless Steel with Vinegar

PDF download Download Article
  1. Pour one part vinegar and one part distilled water in a clean spray bottle. Use undiluted vinegar for heavy staining or marks. This can ensure you evenly coat your stainless steel for cleaning without oversaturating it. [1]
    • Tap water can leave stains on your stainless steel.
    • You can use any type of vinegar to clean your stainless steel. This includes white and apple cider vinegar. You can also opt for specially-formulated cleaning vinegar. This is a bit stronger than white or apple cider vinegar, but may work better on tough stains.
  2. Spray the mixture or undiluted vinegar on your stainless steel. Use a gentle mist to start so you clear away most stains. After wiping, you can spray on more vinegar for stubborn stains. [2]
    • Pour 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar onto a microfiber cloth if you don’t want to spray your stainless steel. [3]
    Advertisement
  3. Let vinegar sit for 10 seconds or longer for tough stains before wiping it off. Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe off excess the vinegar. Make sure to wipe with the grain of the stainless steel to prevent streaking. [4]
    • You can use paper towels, microfiber cloths, and even an old piece of clothing to wipe off vinegar. Make sure they are clean and lint-free to prevent streaking.
    EXPERT TIP

    James Sears

    House Cleaning Professional
    James Sears leads the customer happiness team at Neatly, a group of cleaning gurus based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. James and the team have nine years of experience and offer green cleaning, interior and exterior window washing, and general apartment cleaning services. He provides transformative cleaning experiences by reducing clutter and renewing your home environment. James is a Trustee Scholar at the University of Southern California.
    James Sears
    House Cleaning Professional

    Gently scrub the surface with a microfiber cloth. After applying white vinegar, lightly scrub the stainless steel with a microfiber cloth to remove dirt or buildup. Another option is rubbing lemon juice or ketchup onto the steel. All of these products work because they are slightly acidic and are also non-toxic.

  4. If your first round of cleaning with vinegar didn’t clear away every stain, repeat the procedure. Train the spray on tough stains, allowing the vinegar to sit for a minute. Rub gently until the stain comes out.
    5. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Cleansing Stainless Steel with Proper Techniques

PDF download Download Article
  1. Some stainless steel items may require special cleaning procedures. Read the owner’s manual to find out if you can use vinegar on the stainless steel. You can also call the manufacturer to ask if vinegar is safe to clean stainless steel. [5]
  2. Clean your stainless steel with clean, lint-free cloths. Use a separate cloth each for the vinegar and oil. [6] This can clean your stainless steel without scratching it or rubbing around any grimes. [7] The following types of cloth are lint-free and can work on your stainless steel:
    • Paper towels
    • Microfiber cloths
  3. Stainless steel is delicate and can scratch easily. If you have stubborn stains, use a nylon scrubbing sponge or old toothbrush to remove them. [8] Rub with gentle pressure to prevent scratching of your stainless steel. [9]
  4. Despite its name, stainless steel can stain. Steer clear of the following things when cleaning your stainless steel to prevent further staining or scratching: [10]
    • Hard water, which can leave brown stains
    • Steel wool
    • Steel brushes
  5. Every stainless steel product has a grain running through it. The grain runs either horizontally or vertically. Examine your stainless steel to find the way the product grain runs. Each time you clean with vinegar or wipe with oil, make sure you’re following the stainless steel’s individual grain. [11]
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Remove Rust from Metal
      How to
      Remove a Dent from a Stainless Steel Refrigerator
      How to
      Clean Sterling Silver
      A Guide to Cleaning Silver with Baking Soda
      How to
      Clean & Polish Silver with Baking Soda & Aluminum
      How to
      Polish Gold the Right Way
      How to
      Clean Stainless Steel Cutlery
      How to
      Clean Silver
      How to
      Remove Stains from Stainless Steel
      How to
      Polish Metal
      How to
      Wash a Pipe or Bong with Alcohol and Salt
      How to
      Remove Odor from Metal
      How to
      Clean Oxidized Aluminum
      How to
      Polish Stainless Steel
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-stainless-steel/#.WQoyqVMrKt9
      2. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-stainless-steel-appliances-with-vinegar-and-oil-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-205232
      3. ↑ https://www.seasonedhomemaker.com/clean-with-vinegar/
      4. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-stainless-steel-appliances-with-vinegar-and-oil-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-205232
      5. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-stainless-steel/#.WQopvFMrKt8
      6. ↑ Raymond Chiu. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.
      7. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-stainless-steel-appliances-with-vinegar-and-oil-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-205232
      8. ↑ Raymond Chiu. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.
      9. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-stainless-steel/#.WQoyqVMrKt9
      1. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-stainless-steel/#.WQoyqVMrKt9
      2. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-stainless-steel-appliances-with-vinegar-and-oil-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-205232

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To clean stainless steel with vinegar, start by mixing equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and misting your solution onto your stainless steel items. If your stainless steel is particularly dirty, you can use undiluted vinegar instead. Then, let the vinegar sit for 10 seconds before scrubbing the stainless steel with a paper towel or a microfiber cloth. Finally, make sure to work with the grain of the steel to avoid streaking. To learn how to prevent scratching your stainless steel, keep reading!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 111,053 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Barbara Faber

        Jan 22, 2023

        "Yes, it really helped me know how to clean my wonderful H20 labs distiller. Thanks so much!"
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement