10-30 min.
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How to clean stainless steel fridge
By Lisa Breslin
Let's fix this!
Learn how to clean stainless steel fridge surfaces to restore your appliance to like-new condition.
Estimated time
Difficulty
Frequency
As needed
Cost
Tools
- Microfiber cloth
- White vinegar
- Bucket of hot water
- Liquid dish soap
- Paper towels
- Sponge (optional)
Everyday use of your stainless steel appliances easily leads to streaks, fingerprints and other dirty marks. Getting your refrigerator back into pristine condition is also quite easy.
Stainless steel cleaners and chemical wipes provide an quick, easy and convenient way for you to keep the surface of your refrigerator looking beautiful and free of marks, dirt and smudges. If you are wary of introducing more chemicals into your home or if you happen to be out of stainless steel cleaner or wipes, a few common household products can help bring back your refrigerator’s sparkle.
Tip: Whenever cleaning your stainless steel fridge, make sure you always wipe with the grain of the stainless steel so you do not scratch the surface.
Step 1. Prepare fridge for cleaning
Remove any miscellaneous items from the outside of your refrigerator.
Step 2. Clean fridge using soap and water mixture
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Carefully look over the refrigerator for water spots, stains, fingerprints and blemishes across the steel grain.
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Mix liquid dish soap and hot water in a bucket.
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With a sponge or clean microfiber cloth, gently go over the smudges and fingerprints with the mixture. This will loosen any dirt dried onto the steel.
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Work in small sections and rinse with clean, hot water as you go.
Step 3. Wipe door handles and edges
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With the same soapy water, wipe the door handle and along the edges of the fridge.
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Look over the hinges and remove any dirt.
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Rinse with clean, hot water as you go.
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Use a dry paper towel or a soft, absorbent cloth to remove the excess water.
Step 4. Dry the refrigerator
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Using fresh paper towels or a soft, absorbent cloth, quickly dry the fridge.
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Do a once-over and find any wet spots you may have missed.
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Be sure you’ve cleaned along the bottom and very top of the fridge.
Step 5. Clean and polish with vinegar
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Using a dry paper towel, wipe stubborn spots and smudges with white vinegar.
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Be sure to buff off stuck-on grime on hinges and door handles, too. Vinegar cuts through any fingerprint oils left behind.
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Continue applying vinegar to the entire refrigerator’s stainless steel surface. Vinegar is an easy and eco-friendly polisher for stainless steel appliances.
Step 6. Buff with microfiber cloth
Concentrating on one section at a time, go over the refrigerator with the microfiber cloth to remove any leftover water spots.
Step 7. Clean ice and water dispenser
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Using the same method for washing and buffing the fridge, carefully wipe the ice and water dispenser with water and soap.
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Rinse well with clean, hot water.
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Wipe with a clean paper towel and polish with vinegar.
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Buff the stainless steel portions with the microfiber cloth.
Step 8. Replace miscellaneous items on exterior
Your stainless steel refrigerator should now be clean and gleaming.
Other household products to try
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Use glass cleaner spray to remove fingerprints.
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Buff with baby oil, mineral oil or olive oil and wipe off to erase smudges, increase shine and reduce the visibility of scratches. Absorb excess oil using paper towels.
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Dampen a microfiber cloth with club soda to wipe away streaks or stains.
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Make a gentle paste from baking soda and water to clean the surface using a sponge.
Note: Never use bleach or harsh cleaners on your stainless steel fridge.
Lisa Breslin
Lisa is a writer and blogger from Atlanta. Her writing encompasses a variety of topics with a focus on technical writing. She also helps develop and implement content strategies for a variety of small- to medium-sized businesses.