Stainless steel appliances are stunning when spotless; but keeping them that way is a different story. What starts as a sleek, modern statement piece can quickly turn into a smudged, streaky eyesore with just a few fingerprints or water spots. Whether it’s a greasy oven door in your Dallas, TX home, Phoenix, AZ rental, or Tampa, FL apartment, knowing how to clean stainless steel appliances properly makes all the difference.

This Redfin guide covers what to use, what to avoid, and everything you need to clean and maintain your kitchen appliances.

Step-by-step: How to clean stainless steel appliances

The best cleaning routine is one you can stick to regularly—and that means using simple tools you already have. 

Steven Pizollo from Carpentry Innovations in Ridgewood, NJ shares a tried-and-true step-by-step DIY method he recommends to kitchen renovation clients:

Dampen the cloth. Use a terry cloth or microfiber cloth that’s damp—but not dripping—to avoid leaving water spots. Add dish soap. Apply a squirt of mild dish soap like Dawn directly onto the damp cloth. Avoid using too much to prevent excess residue. Wipe the surface. Gently but thoroughly wipe down the appliance, working in the direction of the stainless steel grain to reduce streaks and maintain the finish. Rinse with a clean cloth. Using a fresh cloth dampened with plain water, wipe the surface again to remove any soap film. Dry and buff. Finish by buffing the surface with a dry cloth to prevent water spots and restore the natural shine.