Stainless steel appliances can make any kitchen look shiny and new. However, once they’ve accumulated a few hard water marks, streaks or fingerprints, they can make the very same kitchen look like a complete mess.

What makes matters even worse is that many of the harsh chemical household cleaners that promise to rid your appliance of stubborn streaks and renegade splash marks come with hefty price tags and are loaded with (in many cases) harmful toxins.

Thankfully, you don’t have to use them or put in much effort to keep your stainless steel appliances looking their very best.

What You'll Need:

• Vinegar (in a spray bottle)
• Bounty Paper Towels
• Mineral oil (or olive oil)
• A soft cloth (preferably microfiber)

Steps:

1. Look to see if the “grain” of your stainless steel is running horizontally or vertically.

• Like wood, steel has a grain. For those unfamiliar with the term, the grain refers to the faint striations that make a pattern in the steel surface of your appliances. (Please note, your handles and knobs may have been made from an entirely different piece of steel, and their respective grains may be running in a completely different direction than that of the main surface piece.)

2. Spray your appliance with vinegar.

• If you don’t have any vinegar handy, dish soap makes an ideal substitute. If you are substituting dish soap for vinegar, apply a small amount to your cleaning rag and rinse it with a small amount of water (just enough to get your rag damp).

3. Follow the steel’s grain with a Bounty paper towel to wipe off the vinegar (or dish soap residue). Bounty soaks up a lot of liquid, so all of that buildup and vinegar should come off pretty effortlessly.

4. Dip your cloth into your oil and (going with the direction of the grain) polish your appliance. You will begin to see all of the marks and blemishes disappear.

Repeat the process as often as needed to keep your stainless steel appliances looking as good as new.