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How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances? | Polish your Dream kitchen!

Stainless steel appliances can look quite appealing when you buy them. The shine and smooth finish can make your kitchen pop out. But, how can you clean your stainless steel appliances? 

As we have heard, buying something is not an issue, maintaining them is the real deal. Stainless steel is difficult to maintain because it easily gets fingerprints that can make it look not so clean.

No need to worry. As intimidating as it may sound, by following a few steps, you can keep up with the shine of your stainless steel appliance.

What is the Grain of Stainless Steel? 

Now you might be wondering what is this grain? And what does it have to do with cleaning my stainless steel appliance? 

The answers to these questions are quite easy. The grain of any stainless steel can be described as its finish. The grain is fine striation or lines that you can see by closely observing the surface of your appliances, whether it is a ceramic hob, hood, or anything else. 

Now, the question is, what does it has to do with your cleaning routine? You have bought the appliances so that they stay clean and shiny.

Off-white finish cabinet kitchen doors and shelf with a stainless steel hood in the center and a stainless steel sink at right side


But if you do not consider the direction of your grain, you might compromise the shine of your stainless steel appliances. And we don’t want that, right?

How to find the grain of stainless steel appliances?

The easiest way to find the grain is to look closely and see that the whole surface will have fine lines in one direction. While cleaning, you need to swipe in that direction to keep it shiny like a new penny. 

You might be wondering if you do not go in the direction of the grain, will it ruin the surface? It will not be such a drastic thing to happen. But more dirt and oil may accumulate, making it not as polished and sheeny as we want it to be. 

5 Ways to Clean Stainless Steel

There can be many combinations you can use to clean a stainless steel surface, but we are listing a few so that you can choose what suits you best.

  • White Vinegar and olive oil
  • Dish soap and baby oil
  • Club soda 
  • Specific Cleaners
  • Flour 

Also, if you want to keep your kitchen clean and fresh, you can follow this kitchen cleaning checklist.

1. White Vinegar and Olive Oil 

White vinegar? That can be quite harsh. That is the first thought that comes into mind. But that is not the case. 

Vinegar is acidic but just mildly helping dissolve the oily buildups, any sticky residue left behind by stickers, and marks left by hard water. 

Olive oil is just added in for the shine. It acts as a protecting layer and helps you keep the shine of your stainless steel appliances for much longer. 

How to Clean with Vinegar and Olive Oil?

  • Take a spray bottle and add the white vinegar. The spray bottle is for equal distribution, not to leave any marks.
  • Take a damp cloth, preferably a microfiber towel, to avoid harsh scrubbing.
  •  Keep in mind the direction of the grain. 
  • Wipe away any dirt and gunk on the surface.
  • Repeat as needed.
  • After cleaning, take another microfiber towel and put some olive oil over it. 
  • Swipe the olive oil towel over the clean surface to add that extra shine. 

2. Dish Soap and Baby Oil 

Dish soap is something that is always on hand. You do not need to spend extra money to make your appliances shiny and clean.

Just is an easy, handy, and inexpensive DIY that will help you enjoy the newness of your appliance without going through a lot. 

The dish soap helps clean out any oily material that may be stuck, fingerprints, and dust. It just emulsifies the dirt, which is then easier to remove. 

Brownish finish kitchen with an automatic stove in the center of the main shelf. Stainless steel sink and flower pots are also installed.

Baby oil? Yes! You have heard it right. Baby oil can serve multiple purposes. Here, your appliance may seem a little dull after the dish soap cleaning. So baby oil will do the job to make it as shiny as new.

How to Clean with Dish Soap and Baby Oil?

  • Take a damp microfiber cloth and put a drop of dish soap on it. 
  • Do not put in direct dish soap as it may lead to other marks and stains. 
  • Following the direction of the grain, wipe off the surface. 
  • Keep doing it until all the stains and oil is wiped off. 
  • Take another damp cloth to clean any residue of dish soap and oil.
  • To give it the final touch, add a small amount of baby oil to the cloth and wipe it over the surface. 
  • The oil will form a protecting layer, making it shiny and flawless and minimizing fingerprints’ appearance.

3. Club Soda 

Another daily use and inexpensive option for making your stainless steel appliances shine like a mirror. 

Club soda is just normal water with carbonated gas. It can help clean the surface as well as any surface cleaner.

How to Clean with Club Soda? 

  • With the help of a spray bottle, spray the club soda over the appliance’s surface. 
  • With gentle strokes in the grain’s direction, clean the surface. 
  • After you are satisfied with the cleaning, finish it off with a warm cloth. 

4. Specific Cleaners

Before jumping into any DIYs, look into your appliance’s user manual. The company may have suggested any specific cleaner for the appliance. 

The company can also give specific instructions for maintaining the shine of the appliance. And it will be better to follow that to get the optimum results. 

There are specific cleaners available in the market just for the sole purpose of cleaning stainless steel. They can do the job quite well, making the cleaning job much easier.

5. Flour 

Yes, you have read it right. This one simple ingredient can serve more than you think. Some people claim it to be a game-changer in their cleaning routine. It is more useful for the stubborn stains in your kitchen sink. 

How to Clean with Simple Flour?

  • Clean the surface with simple water, most preferably lukewarm water. 
  • Dry it off with a paper towel to prepare the surface for some buffing. 
  • Sprinkle some flour and, with the help of a towel, buff the flour with a light hand. 
  • No need to do abrasive buffing. 
  • It will help it bring out the lost charm of your stainless steel.

Things to Keep in Mind 

Even if you know the steps for cleaning that surface, attention to detail is important. It is my personal experience that if you give that extra care, it can take the finish of the surface up a notch. 

Black and white kitchen look with a door in the center and stainless steel hood over the stove.
  • Use a soft microfiber cloth and towel.
  • Keep in mind the hardness of the water you are using. Hard water can leave hard-to-clean spots.
  • Avoid using any harsh abrasive tool for scraping the oil and dirt. 
  • Remember to clean the surface with lukewarm water after using any agent to avoid forming any thin white film over the surface.
  • You may often think you can use bleach or chlorine to do the job. But they are not for stainless steel. Not let anyone tell you otherwise. 

How Often Do You Need to Clean a Stainless Steel Appliance?

We think that by buying the appliance, the job is done. We need to understand and prolong its shimmering and dazzling finish. It would be best if you cleaned it.

But we have such busy lifestyles. Many of us are too busy cleaning the appliances every other day. Who has time for all this hassle? 

All these steps may overawe you, but no need to get it all worked up. You can clean the appliance whenever you can schedule it. 

How frequently you clean also depends upon how much you use your appliance. Your stainless steel stove may need a weekly clean and polish, while your toaster oven or kitchen hood may need a clean after a month.

Full white designed kitchen with stainless steel hood and oven in the middle.

Your stainless steel sink may need daily cleaning at the end of the day as it goes through much more than any other appliances in your kitchen.

So, I would say it is just personal preference, how often you want to clean your stainless steel appliance. But it does need some maintenance now and then. 

Final Words

“Everything happens in the kitchen. Life happens in the kitchen.”

Andrew Zimmern

A cleaner kitchen can make you enjoy your time in your kitchen. Keeping your kitchen appliances as new is the first step to cleaning your kitchen.

And with the Do It Yourself options, it is even easier to maintain it. You do not need to sweat it. Just grab the things you already have at home, and voila! You have a cleaner for your stainless steel. 

After you are done with the cleaning, you will feel that all the work was worth it. And you can sit back and enjoy the fine finish of your stainless steel appliances.

Kitchen

Kitchen Tools and Equipment that You Must Have

With new and upcoming different types of kitchen appliances, tools, and types of equipment being introduced into the market on a daily basis. It is easy to become overwhelmed and confused about what essentials you should have in your home kitchen. Whether you have prior cooking experience or are just starting out, we have compiled a list of kitchen tools and equipment that you must have.

You installed your kitchen cabinet and make sure it looks good. The next step is coming… First and foremost, gather your basic kitchen utensils. It is critical that you should stock your kitchen with all of the cutlery you and your family require to cook and enjoy meals at home. Here is our list of essential kitchen utensils:

1. Knives Are One of The First Kitchen Tools and Equipment Everyone Should Have

Food preparation can be a chore without the right chef’s knife. So, if you are in a pinch, opt for the inexpensive 8-inch Misen Chef’s Knife. It is a favorite of both the Test Kitchen manager, Breana Lai Killeen, and food editor, Carolyn Malcoun, who rave about how well it handles and how affordable it is. A good chef’s knife cannot be found for less.

Those butcher blocks full of knives may look nice on your counter, but you really only need three: a serrated knife, an 8- to 10-inch-long chef’s knife, and a paring knife. Purchase the best knives you can afford; they will last for many years.

2. Sharpener for Knives

Once you have found the right knife, you must keep it sharp. However, you do not need to hire a sharpening service or spend a lot of cash on a fancy electric gadget.

3. Cutting Board

 A good quality cutting board is essential when preparing vegetables and ingredients for cooking. To chop your ingredients, we recommend using a wooden board.

4. Grater

When a recipe calls for less chopping and more grating, use a grater. A grater is an absolute must-have in any kitchen, whether for freshly grated parmesan, garlic, or onions.

5. Mixing Bowls Are One of The Most Important Kitchen Tools and Equipment Everyone Should Have

What is the point of having the tools to chop and cut your ingredients if you cannot mix them? Prepare your kitchen with all of the mixing bowls you will need for various recipes.

6. Pans and Pots

After you have combined your ingredients, you will need plenty of pots and pans to cook them in. Make sure you have a variety of pans and skillets for roasting or sauteing vegetables, as well as pots for making delicious pasta dishes.

7. Towels and Potholders

Every kitchen should have towels and potholders to make cooking and serving easier. Not to mention that potholders can be used as cute kitchen décor.

8. Colander

When preparing a pasta dish, make sure you have a colander at the ready. Nothing is worse than finishing your pasta only to discover that your kitchen lacks a colander to drain the pasta water.

When it comes to dinner parties or family meals, presentation is often the icing on the cake of what will undoubtedly be a delicious meal. That is why, when serving food to family or guests, a serving platter is essential. A salad dish, a pasta dish, and a large platter for any meat or fish dishes are ideal.

9. Blender is One of The Main Kitchen Tools and Equipment Everyone Should Have

This kitchen tool is often overlooked. But you would be surprised how important it is. Include a blender on your kitchen tools and equipment list for everything from morning smoothies to homemade sauces to hearty soups.

10. Tupperware

Make sure you have the right post-cooking tools to make clean-up and food storage easier. Tupperware comes in a variety of sizes, from small containers for fresh fruit or leftover sauce to large ones for meat, fish, and pasta. Remember that Tupperware is essential for an organized, clutter-free kitchen.

11. Saran Wrap, Aluminium Foil

Last but not least, do not forget to include aluminum foil and saran wrap on your list of cooking tools and equipment. These ingredients will help your food retain its delicious flavor, allowing you to enjoy homemade meals throughout the week.

12. Kettle (Electric)

An electric kettle is a useful kitchen appliance for quickly heating water.

Most electric kettles on the market today have an impressive feature that turns off the heating as soon as the water reaches boiling temperature. It not only saves electricity and energy, but it also saves the user from having to monitor the temperature of the water and turn off the kettle. This is also a safety check because you do not have to worry about leaving your electric kettle on while you are busy with other cooking errands. You can also use it to boil eggs, cook ready-to-eat or instant noodles, make soups, and even sterilize small items.

13. Oven Microwave is One of The Most found Kitchen Tools and Equipment Everyone is Installing in Their Home by Defaults

The microwave oven is a must-have in the kitchen because of its versatility and the variety of meals it can produce from such a small box space. Of course, the main purpose of a microwave oven is still to heat food. And it is efficient in doing so because the expected taste is not reduced even after use, and the expected texture is also achieved with the right temperature and timing.

A microwave oven is an excellent choice for quickly reheating leftovers or serving fresh popcorn for movie night. But it can also be used for baking, grilling, boiling, steaming, and even roasting.

Last Words

There you have it. Your kitchen essentials list, equipment to keep on hand at all times, and tools to help you store and organize your leftover meals.

If you are thinking of buying kitchen countertops, find out the main used types first to make the process easy for you.

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Kitchen

What are Floating Kitchen Cabinets? Complete guide to Floating Cabinets!

Now the trend of floating kitchen cabinets increases every day? You may notice that the old kitchen had shelves and did not introduce the cabinets. The direction of installing floating cabinets is new.

Everyone wants to know what floating kitchen cabinets are and how they provide more benefits than traditional choices. 

Therefore here we came with the complete guide about floating cabinets. 

Floating Kitchen Cabinets

The floating kitchen cabinets are more stylish and break from monotony to regular ones. Traditionally the cabins are below the shelves. 

The floating cabinets hang on the wall with structural security. It gives an aesthetic look to the kitchen according to the color combination of the kitchen interior. When you install the floating cabinets, it provides a more spacious look to the floor.

Moreover, it gives a three-dimensional look to your kitchen along with more space. You can secure a wide variety of items in floating cabinets instead of keeping them on the shelves.

The floating cabinets give a modern way to install various themes and stay consistent.

Why you need to install the Floating Kitchen Cabinets?

There are many reasons to install floating cabinets. Here we will share some of them that also help us understand it. 

Lots of Storage

The floating kitchen cabinet offers a lot of additional storage space. It gives a new and trendy look to the kitchen and provides a tremendous amount of space.

In addition, you can install different types of floating cabinets, including racks for holding glasses or plates, separate box cabins, and many more.

You can store the special crockery in floating cabinets with additional protection. However, floating cabinets are the perfect option if you need storage in your kitchen.

You can also use the floating cabinet doors for decoration purposes. It comes with plenty of choices in color, size, and doors.

Get a put-together look

It is another excellent reason to install floating kitchen cabinets. You can get a cohesive look according to your choice.

If you feel that your kitchen is messy, install the floating cabinets with more solid doors. It gives a way to break the traditional look as you can choose the clear glass doors instead of the wood and its similar shades.

Moreover, the cabinet with the increased height, double doors, extend more towards the ceiling, stacked with the modeling details, and some more are incredible choices to give a solid look.

All these choices depend on your kitchen interior. Besides these, it is a way to get a close look at more storage and interior options in your kitchen.

white floating kitchen cabinets with steel stools in front of the brown countertop

Hide the clutter

The floating kitchen cabinets are a key to hide the clutter. We all have a lot of things in the kitchen that make an incredible mess if not stored properly. Some of these things are essential, and others are just clutter. But still, we want to secure them for later use. 

So the kitchen floating cabinets give the best solution to get a clean look. When you have the cabinets in your kitchen, you can store and maintain every item in its place. 

Take a moment and think of all the disorganized dishes coffee cups on your kitchen shelf. It is a scary sight, but I also didn’t find time to sort them.

Thus, the kitchen floating cabinets hide all these clutters unless you have the time to organize them. 

Affordable

Do you ever compare the cost of floating cabinets and installing the new shelves or countertop? The price of installing a new countertop depending upon the material is way more than the floating cabinets. The average cost for the kitchen floating cabinets depends on their sizes and material.

However, the average price is around $6000 for installing the new floating cabinets. Whereas you need to have considerable space for the new shelves for countertops, it is also a bit pricey. 

The kitchen floating cabinets are also expensive, but they give your money the perfect worth. You don’t need to get the additional accessories for maintaining the storage requirement in the kitchen.

Easy to maintain

It is easy to maintain the kitchen with floating cabinets. Once you install it and set all the necessary items, it needs cleaning after months. You can sort them according to your time feasibility.

Moreover, it also requires less time to maintain as you can do it one by one. The best way to keep them clean is by using mild soap and warm water once every six months. 

white floating kitchen cabinet with black handles

Pros of floating kitchen cabinets

Here are some essential benefits or pros to having floating kitchen cabinets in your kitchen. 

  • Perfect for enhancing the look of your kitchen interior
  • Creates the ideal focal points when you enter the space
  • Quickly change the decor according to season demands
  • Complement the backsplash and help to stand out nicely
  • Provide incredible storage space
  • Help to organize the kitchen in better ways
  • Create the perfect look according to trend
  • Make the kitchen more aesthetic

Cons of floating kitchen cabinets

Every great thing also has some drawbacks. Similarly, floating kitchen cabinets have some cons that you should know. 

  • Require the professional labor to install it
  • Needs the significant wall space
  • Depend on the metal frame or other security support. 
grey floating kitchen cabinets with green neon light below

Final words

There are many reasons to install floating kitchen cabinets. You also understand floating kitchen cabinets through this guide if you are new to it.

The floating cabinets hang with the kitchen wall and give additional space to store and maintain the essential items.

You can double your kitchen space by utilizing the walls and organizing your kitchen in better ways. The kitchen is the central part of every place like house and office so it should be in proper condition. 

We hope this guide helps you answer your doubts in the best ways.

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