If you own stainless steel appliances in your kitchen, you probably bought them for their attractive, contemporary looks. Chances are, though, that you didn’t anticipate the upkeep involved. As great looking as they are, stainless steel appliances are also fingerprint magnets. They tend to show fingerprints, smudges and residues left over from daily use, so keeping them clean takes effort and can be a challenge. But even though your appliances will need a little daily maintenance each day to keep them sparkling, you only need two items that you probably already have – a microfiber cloth and a bottle of window cleaner.

The process is simple, especially if you’ve been maintaining your appliances all along. If not, no worries – simply take your clean microfiber cloth and some warm, soapy water and wipe down your appliances until they’re free of grime and food. Rinse the cloth well and go over your appliances again to remove soap residue. For daily maintenance:

• Use a dry microfiber cloth.
• Spray the window cleaner (a couple of squirts should do it) right onto the cloth – not on the appliance.
• Going in the direction of the grain, wipe down your appliance.
• Flip the cloth over, and give your appliance a shine!

Pretty simple! There are also some stainless steel cleaners available that you can purchase, if you prefer. Or make your own by simply filling a new spray bottle with white vinegar (undiluted). The acid in the vinegar cuts through the greasy fingerprints, rather than smearing it around.

There are things you should definitely NOT do when cleaning your stainless steel appliances that you should keep in mind:

• No abrasives, like steel wool, scrubbers, or gritty cleaners.
• Don’t go against the grain when cleaning.
• Never use chlorine bleach, as it will destroy the finish.
• Remove grime, dirt and cleaning product residues as soon as possible.
• Don’t let your appliances go – stainless steel requires daily upkeep.

If you have any questions about the upkeep of your stainless steel appliances, Fahy Kitchens & Baths can help.

Please feel free to contact us at (315) 735-8181 or fax to (315) 735-2829. Fahy Kitchens & Baths is located at 1908 Oriskany Street West in Utica, N.Y. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are appreciated.