Stainless steel looks fantastic on day one. By day three it's covered in fingerprints, water spots and streaks. The secret to keeping it gleaming isn't more scrubbing. It's using the right product, the right cloth and the right technique.
Why stainless steel streaks
Stainless steel has a fine grain, like wood. Wiping across the grain, using too much product or leaving hard-water droplets to dry all leave visible marks. Greasy residue from the wrong cleaner attracts more fingerprints.
The everyday clean
- Wipe away crumbs and loose dirt with a damp cloth.
- For grease, wash with warm water and a little dishwashing liquid, then rinse.
- Dry immediately with a clean, dry microfibre cloth. Most streaks are just dried water.
The polish that makes the difference
Once the surface is clean and dry, apply a small amount of Stainless Steel Cleaner to a microfibre cloth (not directly onto the surface) and wipe with the grain. Buff with a second clean cloth. A light, even film helps resist fingerprints and gives that showroom finish.
What to avoid
- Steel wool and abrasive scourers scratch the surface and can leave particles that rust.
- Bleach and chloride-based cleaners can pit and stain stainless steel over time. Rinse well if they ever touch it.
- Too much product. More polish means more smears, not more shine.
In commercial kitchens
Prep tables, sinks and fridge doors take a beating. Use colour-coded cloths so the cloth used on a raw-meat area never ends up on a front-of-house counter. Clean and sanitise food-contact surfaces first, then polish non-food surfaces like fridge doors, splashbacks and extractor canopies at the end of service.
Water spots and limescale
In hard-water areas, white spots can build up around sinks and taps. Wipe and dry after each use, and tackle build-up with a little white vinegar on a cloth, rinsed off well.
Stock up
Stainless Steel Cleaner, Microfibre Cloths and Colour Coded Spunlace Cloths are available from maxproducts.co.za, in trade sizes for restaurants and caterers.
Products mentioned in this guide
Available now from our sister company Max Products at maxproducts.co.za, in trade sizes and delivered in Cape Town.
Stainless Steel CleanerShop now →
Microfibre Cloths 200gsmShop now →
Colour Coded Spunlace ClothsShop now →
