How to Remove Stains From Stainless Steel (3 Ways)

These Methods Work On Sinks, Pans, or Stove Tops

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 15 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0 to $5

Although it is called "stainless" steel, this workhorse material for cookware, surfaces, and kitchen appliances can stain from time to time. Staining steel mishaps happen, and luckily, there are quick, simple solutions to help you start getting rid of the stains right away using water or common pantry items.

How to Remove Stains From Stainless Steel

The Spruce / Bailey Mariner

Stained metal can happen because of a cleaning issue or exposure to bleach or oven cleaner chemicals. Keep your investments beautiful and shiny by learning how to remove stains from stainless steel.

Tip

Never use harsh oven cleaners or chlorine bleach to clean stainless steel, or the surface could become marred.

Stain Type Chemical-based 
Detergent Type Dishwashing soap
Water Temperature Hot

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

Steam Cleaning

  • Paper or microfiber towel

Baking Soda

  • Paper towel or soft microfiber cloth

Vinegar

  • Soft towel or cloth

Materials

Steam Cleaning

  • Boiling water
  • Paper or microfiber towel

Baking Soda

  • Baking soda
  • Liquid dishwashing detergent

Vinegar

  • White vinegar

Instructions

materials for cleaning burn marks from stainless steel

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

Before You Begin

Stainless steel is a steel alloy that contains a minimum of 10.5 percent chromium. Chromium gives the steel its corrosion resistance. Rather than oxidizing and discoloring when exposed to air or water, chromium reacts to form a thin protective coating on stainless steel. Although this protective layer can be scrubbed away, the protective film quickly reforms, which is why stainless steel surfaces seem indestructible in a kitchen.

This shiny material can be scratched fairly easily. This is less problematic with a matte-finish surface, like that found on some sinks, but shiny stainless steel requires some care to remove stains without scratching the finish.

Examine your stainless steel surface and determine if it has a grain pattern. While the metal itself is solid, the process by which the manufacturer polished the surface may leave it with faint directional scratches. Whenever you scrub a stainless steel surface—even if using so-called "non-scratch" pads—try to gently rub the stains in the same direction as the grain already present on the surface.

How to Remove Stains With Steam Cleaning

Many stains will be lifted from stainless steel by the action of steam vapor. 

  1. Heat Water

    Heat water to boiling in a kettle with a spout that will allow you to pour the hot water safely.

    boiling water

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  2. Place Towel on Surface of Stain

    Place a paper towel or microfiber towel over the stained surface.

    placing a microfiber towel over the stained surface

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  3. Pour Hot Water on Towel

    Pour enough of the boiling water onto the paper towel to wet it. Allow the steam to work for five to 10 minutes.

    pouring boiling water on the towel

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  4. Rub Surface Along the Grain

    Once the surface has cooled, rub the surface with the paper towel, moving with the direction of the grain. If this does not remove the stain, try the next solution. 

    rubbing the burnt surface

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

How to Remove Stains With Baking Soda and Dish Soap

Baking soda mixed with liquid dish soap makes a good paste that can gently rub out stains. Baking soda is a very fine abrasive that is unlikely to seriously scratch the stainless steel surface.

items for removing burnt stains on stainless steel

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  1. Mix Baking Soda and Dish Soap

    Mix half a cup of baking soda and a squirt or two of liquid dish soap to create a thick paste. Scoop up the paste with a microfiber cloth or another soft cloth and then rub it on the stain, moving back and forth in the same directions as the grain in the metal. 

    Warning

    • Do not use standard abrasive cleaners on stainless steel and prevent them from contacting the metal.
    • Never use steel wool, wire brushes, or other abrasive cleaning tools on stainless steel. Non-scratch vinyl scrubbing pads can be used. 
    using a baking soda paste to scrub burn stains

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  2. Rinse and Towel Dry

    After rubbing, rinse the stainless steel surface thoroughly and towel it dry. Examine the surface. If this has not removed the stain, try the next technique.

    towel drying the stained pan

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

How to Remove Stains With Vinegar

towels and white vinegar

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  1. Pour Vinegar on the Surface

    Pour a little white vinegar onto the stained surface.

    pouring vinegar into the stained pot

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  2. Let Sit

    Let it sit for a few minutes; the gentle acid in the vinegar may lift out the stains.

    letting vinegar sit

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  3. Rub Stain in the Direction of the Grain

    Rub the stain with a soft cloth, following the grain of the steel.

    rubbing the stain in the direction of the steel grain

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

  4. Rinse and Towel Dry

    Rinse thoroughly and dry the surface with a clean towel. Examine the stained area; if discoloration still is present, you should consider a commercial product.

    towel-drying the pan

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

As a last resort, if the stains still do not budge, try a stainless steel cleaner and polisher. Bar Keepers Friend is one such powder formula that can clean without excessive scratching. Follow the directions, rinse thoroughly, and towel dry.