Since it's called "stainless steel," you might expect that this metallic surface would, in fact, completely resist stains, blemishes, and other flaws. However, like any surface, it's prone to smudges, streaks, and smears. Even though it's not completely immune to imperfections, stainless steel is a popular choice for kitchen appliances. Keeping stainless steel surfaces free of streaks and smudges can be a challenge, especially since appliances typically need frequent cleaning.
If you have stainless steel throughout your kitchen, then you know which areas really take a beating. Those fingerprints around the refrigerator and freezer door handle. Grease smudges around the stovetop. Debris on the dishwasher door.
Considering the maintenance that goes with stainless steel, it can be difficult to find the right cleaner. All-purpose products usually don't cut the mustard on stainless steel, as they frequently can't restore it to its original shine. While your local grocery store probably carries at least one product designed exclusively for stainless steel, it's likely to contain harsh chemicals that prove irritating if they come into contact with your skin. Plus, they can leave overpowering odors that may be aggravating to people with allergies or other respiratory issues. These products also aren't likely to be your first choice if you are looking for something "green" and non-toxic.
If you're looking for the best cleaning product for stainless steel, look no further than Haus Naturals Stainless Steel Cleaner.
About Haus Naturals Stainless Steel Cleaner
Like other Haus Naturals products, the stainless steel cleaner is made of natural ingredients and therefore is biodegradable.
How to Use Haus Naturals Stainless Steel Cleaner
Using this cleaner is simple and straightforward. Be sure to read the directions on the bottle to ensure you're using it correctly. Al you need are clean paper towels and cloths. Shake the bottle thoroughly before you spray. Then, apply some cleaner directly to the stainless steel surface and wipe it with a clean microfiber cloth or paper towel. For best results, go over it again with a dry towel, wiping in the same direction as the grain of the steel.
Results
Haus Naturals Stainless Steel Cleaner is easy to use. I applied it to the refrigerator, dishwasher, the outside of the microwave, and the area around the stove dials, as well as the oven handle.
Refrigerator
The front of the refrigerator and freezer had fallen prey to fingerprints and smudges. There was also a bit of adhesive stuck to the doors of both where I had taped some notes. I sprayed cleaner directly on the steel, then wiped as directed. The cleaner glided right on, quickly removed the fingerprints, and left the surface feeling smooth. And yes, the adhesive residue came off too.
I also followed up by buffing the refrigerator and freezer doors with a dry cloth per the instructions on the bottle. If you skip this step, the stainless steel won't come out as shiny as it does if you buff it dry. It's important to follow the grain of the metal; otherwise, it won't look as clean.
I was so impressed with the results and how quickly they were achieved that I also wiped down the top of the refrigerator door and the bottom of the freezer door, areas that are often neglected. Paying attention to these areas yielded equally positive results. The rewarding outcome made me want to keep cleaning.
But you don't have to just take my word for it. Here you will see why a picture is worth a thousand words. Here's the smudged area around the refrigerator handle before it was cleaned.
And after...
A Word to Pet Owners
And for all of you who are pet owners and wondering how well this cleaner takes care of paw prints, I can tell that it's possible to wipe those away too. Several weeks ago, a friend's cat attempted to use the front of the refrigerator door as a scratching post. While she wasn't able to do much claw-sharpening, she did leave her footprint autograph on the stainless steel. Here's a clearer shot of the door after cleaning. You can see there is no evidence of the cat's misdeed.
Dishwasher
This area is subjected to a lot of abuse, as it's located under the primary food-prep area in the kitchen, so it catches the brunt of spills. But here, too, clean-up was fairly easy. Again, the area was left smooth and quite shiny.
Here's what the outside of the dishwasher looked like before cleaning.
The end result shows considerable improvement.
Stove Dials
This area gets a regular dose of grease, and the steel is often smudged from steam and sometimes, smoke from the occasional cooking mishap. To spruce up the back of the stove, I followed the same steps as I did for the dishwasher and refrigerator. Because there was more grease around the stove, and because it clung so stubbornly to the surface, I had to exert a little more effort to remove it. But it was doable, and the stainless steel was left gleaming.
Microwave
Since the microwave is above the stove and essentially built into the range hood, it's also the recipient of a fair amount of grease and grime. It's sustained its share of fingerprints and smudges, too, simply because of everyday use.
But when it came to the microwave, Haus Naturals Stainless Steel Cleaner didn't disappoint, either. Its full sheen wasn't completely restored until I buffed it dry. But when that was done, you could see in greater detail the grain of the steel, just as was the case with the other surfaces I polished with this product.
Applications
This best natural cleaner for stainless steel is ideal for use on kitchen sinks, appliances, and countertops. It's versatile enough to be used on grills — which aren't always the easiest to clean — and other surfaces that you may want to polish.
Ingredients
Too often, it's all but impossible to decode what's on the label of the products we buy. Sure, you can always do a google search, but who has time for that? Here's a breakdown of the ingredients that make up Haus Naturals Stainless Steel Cleaner so you know what you're spraying in the kitchen.
Filtered Water
Safety is always a concern when using household products, so one that's made with filtered water gives you peace of mind that it's free of harmful impurities.
Coconut Oil
While it's often used in cooking, coconut oil isn't always associated with cleaning products. Highly-versatile, it can be used to remove bacteria, grease, and soap scum from a variety of surfaces. Plus, it has a pleasant smell.
Sorbitan Monooleate
This component can be added to food and is also used in cleaning and personal care products. It helps to balance the various substances used in the cleaning product.
Lavender Essential Oil Blend
Lavender essential oil has a variety of beneficial properties. It's a key component in homemade and all-natural household cleaners because it's antibacterial and eliminates odors. It also has a calming effect and soothing smell.
Acrylates Copolymer
You can find this ingredient in household cleaners and personal care products. It's known for its elasticity, as it won't break down when added to various solutions.
Methylisothiazolinone
To make things easier, we'll call this compound by its more common abbreviations, MIT or MI. You can spot this ingredient on the labels of everything from shampoo and sunscreen to soaps and detergents. This ingredient isn't as complicated as its name implies; it's added to various products to prevent bacterial growth.
Final Takeaways
The label on the bottle tells you that this product "removes streaks, smudges, fingerprints, paw prints, and more. Using a proprietary blend of plant-based ingredients, our cleaner + polish delivers streak-free results in one step." When put to the test, Haus Naturals Stainless Steel Cleaner + Polish lives up to its claims. Spraying the product directly on sinks and appliances, then wiping them clean will remove streaks. Buffing these areas dry will make them look even better.
With its natural ingredients, this product won't irritate your skin. The lavender oil blend fights bacteria while giving your kitchen a fresh scent and contributing to a calming atmosphere. Since it is biodegradable, it won't release toxins into the environment.