Make Your Stainless Steel Appliances Shine With A Kitchen Essential

Stainless steel appliances are in nearly every modern kitchen thanks to their sleek, professional vibe. However, they offer up an annoying problem. That sleek design is a magnet for messy fingerprints, smudges, and streaks. And if you don't find good cleaners to use on your stainless steel kitchen appliances, they can quickly become hazy annoyances. While there are many costly specialized cleaners specifically for stainless steel on the market, one of our favorite solutions is a kitchen essential you probably already have in your refrigerator: club soda. Cheap and non-toxic, it can help solve your stainless steel cleaning woes fast and effectively.

This common drink mixer works wonders because of two key properties. First, its main component, carbonation, introduces carbonic acid when the dissolved carbon dioxide mixes with water. This mild acidity gently lifts any residue left behind by fingerprints and food splatters without damaging the finish. Second, unlike tap water, the added trace minerals from club soda help prevent unsightly water spots and streaks that all-too-often plague stainless steel after a simple wipe down.

And the best part? Because it is safe enough to drink, club soda is an ideal cleaner for surfaces that are constantly around food prep, like your refrigerator and dishwasher. Even better, you won't have to wait for cleaning chemicals to dry, or worry about whether it touched any food you have lying around. Ultimately, club soda is a powerhouse product in your kitchen (and all around your house), since it offers up a dazzling, streak-free shine. And since you likely already keep some on hand, it makes for a quick-fix solution for both cleaning up before company arrives and your deep weekly cleaning sessions.

Before you start, make sure to identify and follow the grain of the stainless steel. To do this, look closely at your appliance and check for the faint directional lines running either horizontally or (more commonly) vertically across the metal. Wiping against the grain traps gunk in the metal's texture, and is the main reason other cleaning attempts often end in seeing annoying streaks. That said, the secret to success is to always wipe in the same direction as these lines. That way, you will fully pull the dirt and oil off the surface completely.

From there, getting started only requires two steps. First, pour plain club soda — not seltzer or tonic, which may contain sugar or other additives — into a spray bottle. Then, spritz the appliance surface lightly, as a little goes a long way here. Finally, grab a clean, soft, lint-free cloth — microfiber cloths are perfect for this task — and wipe down the surface, moving with the direction of the grain. If there are extra grimy areas, focus your pressure on those specific spots before wiping over the area once more to capture any remaining moisture.

For that truly professional, streak-free mirror shine, though, you need to polish the surface. After wiping it down, grab a second, completely dry microfiber cloth and buff the entire area, again following the grain, until you see that surface sparkle. This final step will remove any leftover traces of moisture and make your appliances shine like new. By adding this simple club soda hack into your weekly cleaning routine, you'll keep those expensive appliances looking brand new and free from the dull-looking prints haunting other kitchens.