First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Wipe the mark now with warm water and mild dish soap.
- Dry the spot fully with a soft cloth.
- Don't scrub with steel wool or abrasive pads.
- If the mark is still there, check your finish before you try a cleaner.
Rainbow streaks, cloudy patches and rust-colored tarnish all show up on stainless steel, and each looks different. Check whether your steel is traditional or black first: black stainless has a dark finish, and the rust and tarnish methods here are meant for traditional stainless. Light scratches can be made less noticeable by cleaning, but neither stainless nor black stainless has touch-up paint to cover one.
Stains on stainless steel sinks and appliances respond best when you wipe with the grain and dry the surface right away so new spots don't form. A stainless steel cleaner is the product to reach for once the basic wash has done what it can. If a mark is still there after two rounds, it's probably set in, so stop and reassess rather than scrubbing harder.
Before you start
What this material can take
Safe to use1
- Water
Use with care2
- Soaking
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
Avoid3
- Chlorine bleach
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
6 items
What you'll need
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- Warm water and mild dish soapThe routine clean for every finish. (opens Amazon)
- Nonabrasive sponge or soft clothCleans the surface without scratching it. (opens Amazon)
- Microfiber or soft clothDries the surface fully so it doesn't spot. (opens Amazon)
- Stainless steel cleaner made for stainless surfacesHandles fingerprints, oil, water spots and food buildup on traditional stainless only. (opens Amazon)
- Baking sodaMakes a paste for heavy soil on traditional stainless. (opens Amazon)
- Grit-free liquid oxalic-acid cleanserFor rust or tarnish on traditional stainless, as the set-in treatment. (opens Amazon)
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5 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 5
Wash with warm soapy water
Wash the surface with warm water and mild dish soap, using a nonabrasive sponge or soft cloth. Work over the whole area, paying attention to fingerprints, grease and dried-on drips.
Tip. Rinse the sponge often so you aren't dragging grit across the steel.
Step 2 of 5
Wipe along the grain and dry
Wipe in the direction of the grain lines, not across them, so any leftover marks blend into the finish. Then dry the whole surface with a microfiber or soft cloth, working along the grain as well.
Careful. Don't let the steel air dry, because undried water can leave spots.
Step 3 of 5
Clean traditional steel with a stainless cleaner
Apply a stainless steel cleaner made for stainless surfaces to a soft cloth, then wipe along the grain. It handles fingerprints, oil, water spots and food buildup, and a dry cloth finishes the job.
Tip. Check the label for the finish it's made for before you buy it.
Careful. Black and fingerprint-resistant stainless gets soap and water only, so skip the cleaner on those.
Step 4 of 5
Scrub heavy soil with a baking soda paste
On traditional stainless, mix baking soda with water into a paste and rub it onto the soil with a soft cloth, moving along the grain. Rinse the area with clean water until the paste is gone, then dry it.
Step 5 of 5
Clean any spot a chloride product touched
If a chloride product touched the steel, clean that area with warm water and mild detergent as soon as you notice it. Then rinse and dry the spot so no residue is left sitting on it.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best stain removers for stainless steel & appliances
Stainless steel cleaners are safe only on traditional steel, so check the finish on the label before you buy one. For rust or tarnish, look for a grit-free liquid oxalic-acid cleanser rather than a powder, and leave vinegar out of your cabinet for this job.
Bar Keepers Friend Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish
Howard Products Stainless Steel Cleaner for Appliances
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on stainless steel & appliances, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
See what to do for what you're seeing →If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →Know the stain? Use its own guide
Every stain on stainless steel & appliances
Water, rust & minerals4
Mold & outdoor3
Food & drink7
Smoke & burns2
Oil & grease2
Discoloration & marks9
Paint, glue & adhesives7
Ink, marker & crayon3
Wax, gum & sticky4
Body fluids2
No match. Try the main search for anything else.
How to tell it's working
A good result is an even finish with the grain running in one direction and no streaks or spots once the steel is dry. If a mark is still there after the wash, check the finish first, because the stronger steps only apply to traditional stainless. If it looks like rust or tarnish that won't lift, it needs the set-in treatment below.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your stainless steel & appliances
Stainless steel sinks
Sinks take the most wear, so the wash and dry steps do most of the work. Avoid soaking dishes in the sink for long periods, and don't leave rusty utensils in it, because rust stains can show up on the steel.
Skip metal scouring pads in a stainless sink, even for stuck-on food. Use the baking-soda paste on traditional steel instead, and rinse the sink fully afterward.
Rainbow, cloudy and discolored marks
Rainbow, cloudy and discolored patches are hard to judge by looks alone, so start with the same wash and dry steps. If the patch stays, check whether the steel is traditional before going further, since the stainless cleaner and the paste are only for that finish.
On black or fingerprint-resistant steel, don't go past soap and water, and don't reach for bleach or steel wool to lift the patch. The grit-free oxalic-acid cleanser in the set-in section is for rust or tarnish on traditional steel, not for these patches.
Stainless steel appliances
Many appliance fronts have black or fingerprint-resistant finishes, so check the finish before you use anything beyond soap and water. On those, a warm soapy wash and a dry cloth is the full routine.
On traditional appliance panels, the stainless cleaner handles fingerprints and water spots. Keep citrus and vinegar cleaners away from appliances, because the warranty won't pay for the damage they cause.
Stainless steel cutlery, knives, cups and coffee pots
Cutlery, cups and coffee pots take the same wash and dry steps, and most spots come off in that first pass. Work along the grain of knife blades and handles, since going across the grain shows up more on the finish.
For coffee pots, use the stainless cleaner on traditional steel for oil and spots, and the baking-soda paste for buildup inside. Rinse the pot well after each step, then dry it fully before you store it.
Stainless steel cooktops and stoves
Cooktops pick up grease and burnt-on spills, so the wash comes first and the stainless cleaner handles the rest on traditional steel. Let the surface cool before you start, and work along the grain so the marks blend in.
For burnt-on food on traditional steel, use the baking-soda paste and rub gently along the grain, then rinse and dry. Black and fingerprint-resistant cooktops stop at soap and water, so check the finish first.
Chemical, cleaner and heat marks
If a chemical or cleaner has touched the steel, start with the cleanup from the chloride step, using warm water and mild detergent. Rinse with warm water, then dry the spot completely so nothing is left sitting on it.
For heat marks, start with the warm soapy wash rather than guessing at a product. Only move to the stainless cleaner if the steel is traditional and the mark is still there.
Old, dried or set-in stains
Old rust-like marks and tarnish that have sat for a while need more than the wash. On traditional stainless, rub a grit-free liquid oxalic-acid cleanser into the mark with a damp soft sponge, moving along the grain lines. It's the strongest treatment here, so reach for it only after the wash and the baking-soda paste haven't worked.
Once the mark has dried hard, work the cleanser in with a few gentle passes rather than letting it soak or scrubbing harder. Then rinse the area with clean water and dry it fully so no moisture is left on the steel.
Light scratches can look less noticeable after you clean along the grain, but there's no touch-up paint for stainless or black stainless. If the mark survives the cleanser, stop there rather than trying a harsher product.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on stainless steel & appliances?
Many home remedies that work on fabric or stone can damage the protective layer on stainless, so only a few safe ones make the cut. The table shows what each one does on this steel and why the steps are built the way they are.
Works2Skip2Avoid3
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't use bleach or chloride cleaners
Chlorides, including bleach and chloride surface wipes, damage the protective chromium oxide layer on stainless. The damage shows up as rust spots, so keep them off the steel entirely.
Don't use steel wool or steel brushes
Carbon steel particles from steel wool or steel brushes stick to stainless and rust. The rust specks you see afterward come from the tool, not the steel, and they're hard to lift.
Don't use abrasive powders or cloths
Abrasive powders, abrasive cloths, paper towels and green scrub pads all scratch stainless. Stick with a nonabrasive sponge or a soft cloth for every step.
Don't use ammonia, alcohol or mineral spirits
These damage the protective layer on stainless, even when they seem to clean well. Use the warm soapy wash or a stainless cleaner made for the finish instead.
Don't use oven cleaners or appliance wax
Neither one is made for stainless steel, so clean the oven front with the warm soapy wash instead. Clean the oven front with the warm soapy wash, and use the stainless cleaner only on traditional steel.
Don't leave salt or vinegar residue on the steel
Cooking leaves salt and vinegar behind on the surface, and they can cause rust spots if they sit. Wipe the steel after you cook so nothing dries on it.
Don't use stainless polish on plastic or rubber
Stainless polish on plastic trim or rubber gaskets can damage them. Keep the polish on the metal only.
Troubleshooting
If the stain is still there
Pick what you're seeing:
Streaks appear after cleaning
Soap or cleaner residue is still there. Wipe with clean water along the grain, then dry fully with a microfiber cloth.
Dull patches on fingerprint-resistant steel
A cleaner may have affected the clear coat. Return to mild soap and water only, and contact the manufacturer if the patch remains.
Water spots form after every wipe
The surface is air-drying. Finish each cleaning by drying completely with a soft cloth.
When to call a professional
For finish damage, or a mark that survives everything else, there is no home repair. Check the owner's manual or contact the manufacturer before you try anything more aggressive.
Questions
Can stainless steel stain, and what causes stains?
Yes, it can. Most marks come from fingerprints, water spots, cooked-on food, and salt or vinegar left sitting on the surface. Chloride products like bleach can also cause rust spots.
How do I clean stains off a stainless steel sink?
Wash with warm water and mild dish soap, wipe along the grain and dry it fully. For heavier marks on a traditional steel sink, use the baking-soda paste and rinse well.
Are stainless steel stain removers and vinegar safe to use?
Stainless steel cleaners are safe only on traditional steel, so check the finish before you buy or use one. Not on appliances or as an everyday cleaner: vinegar shouldn't go on stainless steel, so check the finish before using any stain remover.
How do I get rid of rainbow stains on stainless steel?
Start with the warm soapy wash and a full dry, then try the stainless cleaner if the steel is traditional. If the discoloration stays, stop there on black or fingerprint-resistant steel, and use the set-in cleanser only on traditional steel.
Do stainless steel appliances need different cleaning?
Often, yes, because many appliance fronts have black or fingerprint-resistant finishes. Check the finish first, since those need soap and water only.
How do I clean a stainless steel coffee pot?
Wash it with warm water and mild dish soap, then dry it fully. For oil or spots on traditional steel, use a stainless cleaner, and use the baking-soda paste for buildup.
Is a baking soda paste safe on stainless steel?
Yes, on traditional stainless. Mix it with a little water into a paste, rub along the grain with a soft cloth, then rinse. Skip it on black or fingerprint-resistant steel, which stops at soap and water.
Related
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.