The Most Important Rule: Always Wipe With the Grain

Stainless steel has a brushed grain — tiny parallel lines running in one direction. Always wipe in the same direction as this grain, never against it or in circles. Wiping against the grain creates micro-scratches that dull the finish over time and trap more dirt.

Daily Cleaning — Fingerprints and Light Marks

  1. 1

    Use a damp microfibre cloth

    Dampen a microfibre cloth with warm water — just damp, not wet. Wipe along the grain. Microfibre is important: paper towels and rough cloths scratch the surface.

  2. 2

    Dry immediately

    Follow with a dry microfibre cloth. Water left on stainless steel causes mineral deposits and water marks — especially in areas with hard water. Drying immediately prevents this.

For Grease and Stubborn Marks

  1. 3

    Dish soap solution

    A few drops of dish soap in warm water cuts through grease effectively. Apply with a microfibre cloth, wipe with the grain, then rinse with a clean damp cloth and dry immediately.

  2. 4

    Rubbing alcohol for tough grease

    Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) to a microfibre cloth. Wipe with the grain. Effective on baked-on grease and sticky residue. Evaporates quickly without water marks.

Removing Water Marks and Mineral Deposits

  1. 5

    White vinegar

    Dampen a cloth with undiluted white vinegar and wipe with the grain. The acid dissolves mineral deposits. Rinse with water and dry immediately. For stubborn spots, leave the vinegar-dampened cloth on the mark for a few minutes before wiping.

Polish and protect with mineral oilAfter cleaning, apply a tiny amount of mineral oil (or baby oil) to a soft cloth and buff into the surface with the grain. This leaves a thin protective coat that repels fingerprints and water for days. Use sparingly — a little goes a long way.
Never useSteel wool, abrasive scrubbers, bleach or chlorine cleaners on stainless steel. These scratch and corrode the surface permanently. Avoid cleaners containing chlorides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Light scratches can be reduced with a non-abrasive stainless steel scratch remover kit, rubbing very gently with the grain. Deep scratches are very difficult to fix at home. Prevention is much easier — always use microfibre cloths and wipe with the grain.
A quick wipe with a damp microfibre cloth after each use keeps them looking good. A deeper clean with dish soap weekly, and a mineral oil polish monthly, maintains the finish long-term.