How to clean fingerprint resistant stainless steel refrigerator

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Creating a kitchen that’s attractive but easy to keep clean is a goal for most homeowners but it’s especially hard for parents of young children. Kids seem to find away to get fingerprints on every appliance you own.

A textured finish refrigerator is certainly a start but if it’s time to replace your appliances, you may want to consider stainless steel. These usually have a higher price tag, but many homeowners prefer the look and low maintenance of stainless steel.

But to really battle fingerprints, make sure the stainless steel includes a mixture of nickel. Unlike ordinary stainless steel this composite material is virtually smudge-proof. While dirt and grime can accumulate on the surface they can easily be removed with a damp cloth. Then, at least once every other week, spray on a stainless steel cleaner to bring out the luster of the finish.

Stainless-steel appliances need a little more than just a wipe down with a wet sponge.

You don't need harsh chemicals to get the job done, though. If you have vinegar and oil, you have all you need. It's eco-friendly and takes just a few minutes.

You would think this would leave your appliance feeling oily, but if you wipe it down properly, the appliance won't feel oily at all. I didn't believe it either until I tried it. The results are great and the oil and vinegar combination wards off fingerprints, so you don't need to clean as often.

How to treat your appliances with oil and vinegar

Step 1: Wipe down your appliance with a cotton cloth dipped in white vinegar. Be sure to rub in the direction of the stainless steel's "grain." If you look closely at your appliance you will see tiny little variances in the color of the stainless steel. These color differences form lines going in one direction. This is the grain. When you clean your stainless steel, always rub in the direction the lines are pointing.

Step 2: Dab another clean cotton cloth in olive oil or mineral oil and rub along the grain. After you're done, wipe down the area with a clean cloth.

These two oils don't yellow when they dry and they leave a protective coating to prevent moisture damage. I live in a humid area and my stainless steel tends to get little rust spots if I don't treat it.

When your appliances start to look a little rough, just reapply. How often you reapply depends on how much your appliance is used, but the treatment should last a few weeks in most homes.

Stainless steel kitchen appliances provide a futuristic feel to your kitchen with its shiny, chrome-like appearance. However, these steel surfaces easily catch grease from fingerprints and oils from skin, leaving cloudy-white patches on the surface. Here's our 3-step guide to cleaning your steel kitchen appliances:

What You'll Need

You don't need a lot of cleaning tools to clean and polish your kitchen appliances. All you'll need is a mild degreaser, as well as a lint-free cloth to wipe the solution over your appliances. Vinegar or dish soap works well to remove fingerprints, and clean the surface.

  • White vinegar OR
  • Dish soap
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Olive oil - for polishing

How to Clean Fingerprints off Stainless Steel: A Step-by-Step Guide (with Pictures)

How to clean fingerprint resistant stainless steel refrigerator

Step 1: Prepare Your Solution

The first step is to prepare your cleaning solution. Both vinegar and dish soap can be used to remove fingerprints off stainless steel appliances due to their degreasing properties. For vinegar, it will be easier to apply the solution on stainless steel appliances by placing vinegar in a spray bottle.

For dish soap, you will only need a few drops of liquid dish soap with degreasing properties on a damp cloth to clean stainless steel appliances. You may add a sprinkle of baking soda, but this is unnecessary if you're only cleaning fingerprints off stainless steel appliances.

How to clean fingerprint resistant stainless steel refrigerator

Step 2: Clean Stainless Steel Surfaces

Take a microfiber cloth, and apply your chosen solution to the stainless steel appliance. Wipe the soft cloth over the stainless steel surface, and go in a circular motion to prevent streaks, and keep wiping until the fingerprints are completely gone.

For the vinegar solution, spray a small amount on smudged areas, and use a dry cloth to wipe the solution over the surface. This solution is best used on stainless steel sinks and countertops that may have soap scum and hard water spots as well, as vinegar will dissolve these stains.

For the dish soap option, use this method for your stainless steel fridge as it is a mess-free way to clean upright stainless steel surfaces. Use dish soap in minute amounts as a stainless steel cleaner so you no longer have to rinse the surface after cleaning stainless steel appliances.

How to clean fingerprint resistant stainless steel refrigerator

Step 3: Wipe Dry with a Clean Cloth

Wipe away any residue with a dry cloth to complete the cleaning process, and use the cloth to buff out the stainless steel to keep it shiny. It is a good idea to polish your stainless steel at this point, as it creates a fingerprint-resistant stainless steel surface.

Polishing Your Stainless Steel Appliances

Use a neutral, non-sticky oil such as olive oil or baby oil to polish your stainless steel appliances. Simply apply 1-2 drops of oil on the surface, and use a clean cloth or paper towel to spread the oil around the surface in an even layer. The surface should be shiny and smooth, but not greasy. Avoid adding too much oil as it may make your stainless steel appliances sticky.

You may also use a commercial stainless steel cleaner and polisher to keep your surfaces professionally shiny. A commercial cleaner and polisher should remove grime from the surface, while adding a protective layer on top as well to seal the surface from moisture and dirt.

Cleaning Up Your Kitchen

When it's time to clean up your kitchen, call on Luce Home to tackle the grime! Our cleaning services are second to none when it comes to removing stains and dirt from your home, and our experienced cleaning professionals can bring back the shine to your kitchen appliances!

Contact us today, and bring back the shine to your stainless, fingerprint-resistant steel surfaces!

How do you clean Samsung fingerprint resistant stainless steel refrigerator?

Cleaning fingerprint-resistant stainless steel is simple. A wipe with a microfiber cloth will often be all that's needed. You also can use a solution of water and mild dish soap. However, several manufacturers point out that if you wet the surface, be sure to also dry it using a soft cloth.

Can you use Windex on fingerprint resistant stainless steel?

Fingerprints are the chief complaint about stainless steel. This is especially true for all the parents out there. However, they can be easily removed with any common glass cleaner, such as Windex. Spray the cleaner on a microfiber cloth and apply evenly in a circular motion to remove the fingerprints.

How do you keep fingerprints off of stainless steel refrigerators?

The best way to prevent fingerprints from showing is to use a wax-based spray made for treating stainless steel. There are many on the market, but Pash likes 3M's Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish.

Is there a color difference between stainless steel and fingerprint resistant stainless steel?

It's the same color as the regular stainless steel appliances. It does look darker in the picture, but it's the same as the others in person.

What should you not clean a stainless steel fridge with?

Avoid abrasive scouring powders, scrubbers, bleach and ammonia to keep from damaging the appliance's finish. Never wipe stainless steel against the metal's grain. Always wipe with the grain to prevent streaking.