How to Remove and Prevent Fingerprints on Stainless Steel
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Learn the trick for how to remove fingerprints from stainless steel appliances, along with the secret to prevent fingerprints on stainless steel so you can clean your appliances less!
Fingerprints on Stainless Steel
Just like granite countertops, stainless steel appliances are all the rage right now and the hallmark of an “upgraded” kitchen. I remember a few years ago when my family moved into a rental with stainless steel appliances-I was excited, finally I had the “fancy” kitchen! Little did I realize that stainless steel and three little boys equals a LOT of fingerprints everywhere!
How to Remove Fingerprints from Stainless Steel
Over the past few years I’ve tried a variety of ways to not only remove the fingerprints from the stainless steel but help prevent them from showing up so easily as well. I’m happy to say that I’ve finally found a great system that works and am sharing it with you today!
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How to Clean Fingerprints Off Stainless Steel Appliances
To start clean your appliance (my fridge in this case) the way you normally do. I usually use a window cleaner or my orange basil vinegar mixture. I use straight vinegar to remove any tough spots, being sure to wipe with diluted vinegar afterwards to remove any residual.
Prevent Fingerprints on Stainless Steel
Now for the secret weapon…once your stainless steel is completely clean use Turtle Wax to keep those pesky fingerprints from coming back!! Using a clean cloth or paper towel apply the Turtle Wax in a light coat and then buff to a shine with a clean microfiber cloth (affiliate link).
How Often Do You Need to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances
The result is a super shiny surface that resists smudges for much longer. I usually touch up the cleaning and Turtle Wax every couple of weeks as needed to keep the steel looking brand new!
Have you tried any other methods of cleaning stainless steel? I’d love to hear what has (or hasn’t) worked for you!
You might also like these tips:
- How to Clean Oven Glass
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- How to Clean Your Whole House in an Hour
How to Remove and Prevent Fingerprints on Stainless Steel
Learn the trick for how to remove fingerprints from stainless steel appliances, along with the secret to prevent fingerprints on stainless steel so you can clean your appliances less!
Materials
- Window Cleaner
- White Vinegar
- Turtle Wax
Tools
- Microfiber cloth
Instructions
- Clean stainless steel with window cleaner to remove the bulk of fingerprints.
- Use vinegar to remove stubborn fingerprints. Wipe clean with water afterward.
- Rub turtle wax into the stainless steel in a circular motion and use a microfiber cloth to buff to a shine.
Notes
Repeat every 2-3 weeks to maintain
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I clean houses and stainless steel appliances is what everyone wants..except for me! I know how hard they are to keep looking nice. But one of my customers finally found a product that works better than any other customer has found. It’s called Sprayway stainless steel polisher and cleaner. Can be found at lots of places including ace hardware, amazon.com, walmarts, sams club and more. Here’s what it looks like https://amzn.to/1r6UKFd
Thanks for this recommendation, Joyce. Coming from a house cleaner makes this golden!
California Scents Orange Squeeze air freshner works great and smells good… Clean 1st then spray air freshner on and buff out with microfiber cloth. You can buy it at Lowes.
I used to work for a cleaning company we had Elevators that were Stainless and we used Baby Oil. Make sure you wipe it off good after you apply it.
I have used boat wax to keep my tiles in the bathroom shower to keep them cleaner longer and shiny too. I am going to try some on the side of the fridge and see if it works !
That’s a great idea Bunny! I’d love to hear how it works on the fridge!
I used that on my tile in the early ’80’s. Worked beautifully!!!
I have stainless steel sinks and use the Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner on them and it is wonderful! Someone mentioned another Weiman product but the stainless steel cleaner cleans and polishes in one wipe…also takes water spots off faucets, sinks or whatever you use it on. Try it…found at Walmart or Lowes…comes in a can about like Pledge but grey colored…you will love it!!
Baby oil is good on faucets, inside showers to clean and prevent water spots
To clean inside of dishwasher I use tang just put in the soap cup and let the dishwasher run
tange works great in toilets put it in swish leave a few minutes flush clean and fresh
Thanks for the tip! Thanks for stopping by! ~Melissa
to clean interior of dishwasher, use one can of creme of tartar, and one bottle of hydrogen peroxide, and run through a cycle , cleans all the funk off the walls
I have used auto wax on my appliances for years, gives them a great shine and helps keep them cleaner, Washer, dryer, fridge, and dishwasher ( all enamel, old style)..
I don’t have stainless yet but it is on my wish list.
I love my stainless Shirley but it does show dirt easily, this tip is helping a lot though!
It was always on my wish list, I’ve had it now for a year and I hate it! I have too many kids and grand-kids! I can’t wait to save (again) and buy a fridge with a textured front!
I don’t have little kids at home and the prints always seem to appear. I should have stuck with black appliances 😉
xoxo
Denyse
I use WD40 on stainless steel and it shines like a mirror and stays clean. It is a marvelous cleaner for my greasy outdoor grille. Easy to use and shines it up like its new!
Thank you! My first new fridge – display model – marked down – small dent on the side of the door. Got it home and took off the tags/labels and had lots of marks. I was really disappointed. I washed it as was recommended… didn’t work. Looked it up – just used the WD-40 – I have like 3 cans of the stuff and don’t use it often. So – it worked like a charm. I’ll give it a week to see what happens. I’m eyeing up my stove now, it also was my first new stove. I’m 65 and feel like a kid with new appliances. Thanks again.
You’re so very welcome Gail-I hope the tips help!
wd40 is toxic yes?
wd40.com/files/pdf/msds-wd494716385.pdf heres the link. Dont do it!
Wow, not as bad for you as regular household ammonia and only slightly worse than Dawn dish soap. Good job fear-mongering, though!!
Well, it is mid-February and I still have no marks, etc. after using the WD-40 on the fridge. I wipe it with a soft rage and mild soap once and a while. Haven’t died, yet. And don’t plan to lick the thing. I don’t have very young children, just a cat, so I feel ok with using this, at least the one time. Most everything can be nasty if you use it improperly.
“… Don’t plan to lick the thing…”
Lol!
Sprayway stainless steel cleaner is the best !!!
The manufacturer told me to use WD-40. I’ve not tried it though. But I did use Weiman Granite Corian Cleaner & Polish. It worked great and has lasted a long time. However, I do not have children at home anymore. That may make a difference.
The fingerprints my boys were putting on everything were insane-it’s so much better now! I need to check out that Cleaner & Polish you mentioned, thanks!
I have scratches and light cuts on the corian countertops in the RV we bought. Does this Weiman Polish work well for that? I’m tired of buying stuff that doesn’t help the finish.
Try Magic Eraser or any off brand of it. I made my dad’s counters in his RV look like new. He was amazed!
I put a packet or regular Lemon flavored Kool Aid mix, the stuff that is .20 cents a packet. Run the dishwasher on the long cycle and it comes out like brand new.
Wow, I’ve never heard of that Patsy!
Hmmmmm
It’s the citric acid in it.
I use lemon juice straight to clean water spots off faucets and shower doors. I even use the bottled stuff as it is easier to keep around. It works well to get the white water spots around the ice/water dispenser. Haven’t tried on front of stainless fridge or dishwasher yet though. Mine have the non shiny ridgy fronts and not the shiny stainless.
I found olive oil works great!! Gets rid of fingerprints, smudges, etc. Buff with a microfiber cloth and my appliances sparkle!!
I’ll have to try that next time Judy!
I’ve used everything on my stainless steal and nothing stop fingerprints. I have noticed pledge works great and seems to stay cleaner longer.
I had tried that one and it didn’t quite work as we’ll for me-perhaps it can also be affect by the brand of fridge?
I have tried the pledge stainless steel cleaner and it never worked for me…I have so many finger prints on it…it is driving me crazy….will try the vinegar hope it works.
There is a great product I happened to find in Home Depot. It is called Steel Miester and it sprays on and buffs clean/shiny so easily. It is found in the appliance department. Gray can with red cap. Wouldn’t be without it.
Yes! I fully endorse Steel Miester! It is THE best SS cleaner I have found.
My sister has been a long time housekeeper and she put me on to Barkeepers Friend. OMG great for cleaning, your smooth top range as well. But I sure will try the wax for keeping them off. P.S. I struggled with water marks, loooong streaks down the front of my dishwasher, looks like sh*t, made me crazy!
Great tip Cindy!! Thanks for stopping by! ~Melissa
I don’t have fingerprints but lots of water spots. Have tried everything- nothing seems to work. I wish I had stuck with white appliances. Does anyone have something that works on water spots?
Have you tried the turtle wax Peach? I found it greatly reduced that as well.
Peach, water stains were my big complaint, too. I did a good cleaning/wipe down using soapy Dawn dish water to get off all grease, then wipe down with wet not soapy cloth. After it is dry, take soft cloth with a bit of olive oil on it (don’t saturate cloth. Wipe away over entire appliance, turning to clean side of cloth to polish a bit as you go. Finish off with a final buff with clean soft cloth. Worked to take off all my water spots! Good luck!
Beekeepers Friend is the BEST for cleaning almost anything. We love it!
I have three boys as well, and the only thing that works for me is olive oil. Rub it on with the grain and buff it off with a microfiber rag. It works awesome and repells fingerprints and lasts a long time!
I’ll give that a try next time to compare, thanks!
Yes, I agree olive oil. The man at the appliance store who is also a chef provided me with this info. It works.
Another endorsement for Vinegar wash and olive oil. Just got a new stainless frig, floor model so covered with prints. Wiped off with vinegar (a little elbow grease but not a lot) and very little olive oil applied with a paper towel. Looks fantastic, thanks SO much for the tip!
I used coconut oil on my DWasher
I’m going to give thwvbOlivevoiol a try this thanks
You don’t want to use any vegetable-based oils because they can go rancid on the appliance. Mineral oil or WD40 is recommended.
What a great tip! I will definitely try this. My husband is the worst at leaving fingerprints. He’s worse than the kids.
lol Wendy, maybe my hubby is to blame too, I just assumed it was the kids-he could be using them as a scapegoat!
The appliance guy who installed my stainless said Pledge…yep ordinary Pledge. Now it’s just my husband and I…no sticky kid prints…but it works. Easy peasy.
I tried that too and it helped but it couldn’t quite stand up to the three boys!! (Not many things can!)
I’ve tried WD40, it works pretty great for me.
I put Wd on my dishwasher and it made permanent stains.
I have try end all the things they are posting and all work but I believe it is the grade go stainless steel. There are low n high grades I’m going to try the spray wax and buff it out. As I hood fee
I have ruined my dish washer. I wonder if it’s the heat? Angry with stainless!!!!
Re WD40
It has worked great for me on my stailess stove and the compactor. I was told by an appliance repair person that WD40 is how they keep their show room appliance looking great. I have a white d/washer so have not tried it there. Great tips out there.
I want to add that I spray a soft cloth with the WD40 and wipe it with the grain I also use microfiber cloths for buffing almost everything. Sorry I didn’t add that.
WD40 will stink up the kitchen.
I use pledge as well. Works great!