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The 8 Best Stainless Steel Appliance Cleaners of 2024

It’s the simple solution to keep your beautiful appliances looking good

Stainless steel cleaners we recommend on a yellow background

The Spruce / Lecia Landis

Trust us, we've seen our fair share of kitchens, so we know a thing or two about cleaning them. We think polished stainless steel appliances look sleek and modern. But when they’re grimy and covered in smudged and sticky fingerprints, their polished appearance can quickly be diminished and look less than appealing. Adding a stainless steel appliance cleaner to your cleaning routine will keep the surfaces looking great and your appliance in tiptop shape!

“Stainless steel needs some extra care,” agrees Krissia Garcia, founder of Maryland-based cleaning service Kriss Klean. “Regular cleaners can leave a film and won’t work as well. It’s best to have a cleaner specifically made for stainless steel.”

With Garcia’s helpful advice in mind, we've researched the best cleaning solutions to keep your stainless steel looking good. So, grab your favorite microfiber cloth, and let's get ready to buff! We've rounded up a list of effective and convenient products to keep your stainless steel looking shiny and beautiful!

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish

Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish Trigger Spray

Amazon

What We Like
  • Very effective

  • Safe for most household uses

  • Cleans and polishes

  • Great value

What We Don't Like
  • Best to protect delicate nearby surfaces

First off, the versatility of this Weiman stainless steel cleaner and polish sets it apart from other cleaners on the market. You can use it on small or large appliances, as well as silverware, pots and pans, and even sinks and hardware. Pretty much anything that has a stainless steel finish can be cleaned with this easy-to-use spray. It also acts as a polish that creates a protective barrier on the surface.

To use, you’ll need a separate polishing cloth. The spray bottle makes application easy because you can spray it directly onto the surface. After applying, immediately wipe and remove any excess with a buffing cloth. It effectively takes on sticky messes, grease, streaks, and surface fingerprints without leaving any residue behind. Use it on your microwave, fridge, stovetop, and even your kitchen trash can and outdoor grill.

We think this is a great value, especially when you buy a two-pack of spray bottles. There are larger refill options, which we recommend if you have lots of items to clean with this spray.

Type: Spray | Amount: 12 or 22 fl. oz. | Use on: Large appliances, small appliances, cutlery, cookware, sinks

Best Budget

Magic Stainless Steel Cleaner

 Magic Stainless Steel Cleaner

Amazon

What We Like
  • Great price

  • Cleans and polishes

  • Removes dirt and fingerprints

What We Don’t Like
  • Not great for precision use

This budget-friendly aerosol cleaner is great to use on larger spaces and appliances. It cleans off fingerprints and other grime and dirt. The spray also polishes and repels water, dirt, and fingerprints after cleaning. Over time, you’ll be able to clean faster and more efficiently.

Plus, you can use this spray on refrigerators, dishwashers, grills, and other large appliances. It's safe to use on smaller appliances, too. Just note, because it is an aerosol spray, it can be difficult to control if you are trying to spray with precision. Not only can you end up wasting a lot of the cleaner, but also it can accidentally get on nearby surfaces, causing damage. Remember, it’s best to keep application of this aerosol can to larger areas.

Type: Spray | Amount: 17 fl. oz. | Use on: Large appliances, grills

Best Rated

Therapy Stainless Steel Cleaner Kit

Therapy Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish Kit

Amazon

What We Like
  • Plant-based formula

  • Over 18,000 positive reviews

  • Cleans and polishes

  • Creates a protective barrier

What We Don't Like
  • Expensive

This popular kit from Therapy is very effective, earning over 18,000 positive reviews online. Surprise! The cleaning power and scent come from coconut oil. It's also filled with a bit of Lavandula angustifolia, aka lavender essential oil, which adds a pleasing scent. It's pH balanced and can be used on plenty of household appliances, including refrigerators, dishwashers, grills, and trash cans.

Because it's plant-based, it's one of our top picks for cleaning surfaces that come into contact with food. And it comes with its own microfiber cloth! Here's another reason why we're such big fans: It leaves a protective barrier against fingerprints, dust, dirt, and smudges, ensuring that your surfaces stay cleaner longer. (Who doesn't love that?) Plus, we feel good knowing it's also not tested on animals and made in the United States.

You can also get the same formula in convenient wipes. But we won't lie—both are quite pricey, compared to other brands. If you love Therapy's eco-friendly and plant-based formula as much as we do, the shopping secret is to look for larger refills as the most economical option. We think a little bit goes a long way to both clean and polish your stainless steel surfaces.

Type: Spray | Amount: 16 or 64 fl. oz. | Use on: Large appliances, small appliances, grills, cookware

Best Eco-Friendly

Method Stainless Steel Cleaner + Polish

Target Method Stainless Steel Cleaner + Polish

Target

What We Like
  • Plant-based ingredients

  • Eco-friendly packaging

  • No streaking

  • Easy to find online and in stores

What We Don’t Like
  • Expensive

The Method line of plant-based cleaners are eco-friendly, effective, and smell great, three features that make them one of our top picks. This stainless steel cleaner cleans surfaces and protects against future messes, especially annoying fingerprints. We love that it doesn’t include questionable ingredients, such as formaldehyde or phthalates. The bottle is also eco-friendly and made of recycled and recyclable plastics.

It's a smaller container than most, so you may need to replenish often if your kitchen is full of stainless steel. It's also a bit expensive, especially if you are a frequent user. Like most polishes, you’ll need a separate buffing cloth, which adds to the overall cost of use.

Type: Spray | Amount: 14 fl. oz. | Use on: Large appliances, small appliances, grills, cookware

Best for Sinks

Kohler Stainless Steel Cleaner

Kohler Stainless Steel Cleaner

Amazon

What We Like
  • Works on sink and cast iron

  • Removes stubborn water spots

  • Squeeze bottle for easy application

What We Don’t Like
  • Doesn’t polish

  • Requires cloths for application

Pesky water spots? Kohler is a well-known brand of sink and hardware, so it should be no surprise that their stainless steel cleaner is formulated to clean sinks very well. That’s why we like this faucet spray cleaner and drain treatment. You can use it on stainless steel as well as cast iron cookware, taking care of two cleaning needs in one! That's what we call multitasking!

To use, you’ll need to provide your own application cloth and a buffing cloth. Kohler's cleaner is especially effective on removing water spots, even those old ones that have been sitting on the surface for some time.

Type: Liquid | Amount: 8 fl.oz. | Use on: Sink, cast iron

Best for Grills

Goo Gone Grill and Grate Cleaner

Goo Gone Grill and Grate Cleaner Spray

Amazon

What We Like
  • Can use on grill interior and exterior

  • Easy to spray

  • Takes off stuck-on food

What We Don't like
  • Can only use on cool grill

Have you been grilling a lot lately? Us, too! We can't pass up a juicy, hot-off-the-grill burger. (Yum!) Luckily, this spray cleaner from Goo Gone is made for grills and grates, lifting off heavy grime and gross grease. We love that it's safe for all parts of the grill, including the grates and pans, and the interior lid and exterior finish. It has a citrus scent, which may be a tad strong. But if you use it outdoors, we think it'll be just fine.

The spray works best with a cleaning brush or rag. You can let the cleaner sit on the surface for up to 10 minutes to get the best results. Just be careful not to spray it on your grill's heating elements—it might damage your unit. And, a reminder that the grill and surfaces should also be cool when you use it.

Type: Spray | Amount: 24 fl.oz. | Use on: Grills

Best for Cookware

Bar Keepers Friend Superior Cookware Cleanser & Polish

Bar Keeper's Friend Superior Cookware Cleanser & Polish

Amazon

What We Like
  • Only needs a small amount

  • Cleaner and degreaser

  • Great value

  • Trusted brand

What We Don't Like
  • Not great for vertical surfaces

Fun fact: Barkeepers Friend has been around since 1882! Here's why—the cleaning power of this hardworking gem is surprisingly strong even though it won’t scratch or scour surfaces. Just sprinkle a small amount of powder, and add water to create a cleaning paste. You'll need a small rag to clean and buff the surface. But a tiny amount will go a long way, making this an even more economical choice. In addition to its cleaning agents, it also acts as a degreaser, making it our top choice for your stainless steel cookware.

Because it comes in powdered form, we suggest that this cleaner is better used on horizontal surfaces, such as the stove or bottom of your sink, and items like your daily pots and pans. It can be difficult to apply to larger vertical surfaces, like refrigerator doors or dishwashers. Best of all, it can be used on glass, too, which is another smart reason to pick up this versatile and effective cleaner!

Type: Powder | Amount: 12 oz. | Use on: Stainless steel, glass

Best for Fingerprints

CLR Spotless Stainless Steel

CLR Spotless Stainless Steel Streak-Free Cleaner

Amazon

What We Like
  • Removes fingerprints and dirt

  • Leaves protective barrier

  • Safe for a lot of kitchen surfaces

What We Don't Like
  • Expensive

The stainless steel cleaner from CLR cleans up dirt, grime, and fingerprints. It also adds a polished shine to make it more difficult for those unsightly spots to return. The formula is safe for large and small appliances, including refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, and even range hoods. To use, just spray a small amount and polish the surface with a clean cloth.

It is a bit pricey, especially given its small size. If you have a lot of cleaning to do, you’ll probably go through this container quickly. It's also an aerosol spray, which can be harder to use with precision and lead to waste. But it is effective and a good option for fingerprint-prone areas, especially if you have messy little ones who love a good PB&J sandwich!

Type: Spray | Amount: 12 fl.oz. | Use on: Large appliances, small appliances

Final Verdict

Our top overall pick, Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish, can be used on everything from refrigerators to countertop appliances to cookware. It's a great value that effectively wipes away messes and less-than-appealing fingerprints. For one of the most budget-friendly options, consider the Magic Stainless Steel Cleaner, which comes in an aerosol spray can.

What to Look for in a Stainless Steel Cleaner

Ingredients

Most cleaners have a main cleaning agent, as well as others that add fragrance. If you want a plant-based option, look for those that use eco-friendly ingredients, such as coconut oil and essential oils, such as lavender, for fragrance, such as our best rated pick, Therapy Stainless Steel Cleaner Kit. We think this cleaner is very effective, earning over 18,000 positive reviews online! It's a versatile cleaner that's pH balanced and can be used on plenty of household appliances, including stainless steel fridges, dishwashers, grills, and trash cans.

Application Method

Before you buy, consider what needs cleaning. The application method makes a big difference. Spray bottles are the most common and often easiest way to apply stainless steel cleaners. These can be traditional nozzle spray bottles, such as our best overall choice, Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish. Aerosol sprays are also an option, such as our best value pick, Magic Stainless Steel Cleaner. Powder-based stainless steel cleaners are less common but just as effective, such as our winner for best for cookware, Bar Keepers Friend Superior Cookware Cleanser & Polish.

Purpose

Some stainless steel cleaners are designed for use in the kitchen on stainless steel appliances and cookware. Other options, such as our pick for best for grills, Goo Gone Grill and Grate Cleaner Spray, are designed specifically for heavy-duty uses like cleaning greasy grills. Many can be used on a variety of surfaces to both clean and polish. Our top pick is our best overall choice, Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish. We absolutely love that just about anything that has a stainless steel finish can be cleaned with this easy-to-use spray. It also acts as a polish that creates a protective barrier on the surface.

FAQ
  • How do you remove stainless steel cleaner buildup?

    Some surface cleaners can leave residue on stainless steel. The best way to remove it is to use a cleaner formulated specifically for stainless steel. These can clean and polish the surface without streaking or leaving a film. For more stubborn residue, you can first try a vinegar wash to deep clean and remove oil and grime. Just fill a reusable spray bottle with a combination of 1:1 white vinegar and water. Then, spray it on, and wipe it off. Once it's totally dry, follow up with one of our handy picks for best stainless steel cleaners.

  • Why do I need a special cleaner for stainless steel appliances?

    To get the best and fastest results, use a special cleaner made for stainless steel surfaces. “Regular cleaners can streak or leave a film,” explains Krissia Garcia, founder of Maryland-based cleaning service Kriss Klean. Garcia says surface cleaners are generally not good at keeping the surface fingerprint-free. Look to a stainless steel cleaner to get the job done correctly.

  • Which cleaners are not recommended for use on stainless steel surfaces?

    Bleach and other chlorine-based products should never be used on stainless steel. Anything that is abrasive can actually damage the surface. You should also take care not to use an abrasive cloth or cleaning brush, because that can also scratch and damage your shiny stainless steel.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was researched and written by Katie Melynn, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Melynn has been writing for The Spruce since 2019 and knows plenty about cleaning! When making this list, she carefully considered the types of cleaning applications, as well as ease of use and effectiveness. She also spoke to Krissia Garcia, founder of Maryland-based cleaning service Kriss Klean, about ways to keep stainless steel in your kitchen clean and sanitary.