Can you use wd40 on stainless steel

Remember how proud you felt when you bought your pristine stainless-steel fridge, dishwasher, or oven? You took it out of the cardboard box, put it in place, felt glad about the whole thing, and maybe even clicked a few pictures of it. When you look at these items now, they lack the luster that initially appealed to you, they’re full of smudge marks, and even looking at them closely leaves you a little disappointed. 

Stainless steel, although gorgeous, is somewhat of a challenge to maintain. Keeping the fridge door from getting messy, and preserving the sheen of other stainless-steel items around the house needs extra care. Some people would straight up spray and wipe with a detergent-cloth combo. But there’s definitely a problem with that. 

It’s vital to remember that anything that isn’t made for preserving the shine and polish of the steel will end up taking it away over time. Additionally, being gentle with the whole cleaning process – from the tools to the technique is fairly important. 

What’s the best thing to use on stainless steel? 

The million-dollar question. The answer won’t cost you much. 

Using Baking Soda:

Can you use wd40 on stainless steel
Can you use wd40 on stainless steel

 

If you’re looking for a DIY solution, diluted vinegar or a baking soda paste, followed by using baby/mineral oil is often considered a good option for a quick buff up. But will it help with the tougher sticky tape residue, or tea/coffee deposits? Not quite. And what was that talk of bringing back the stainless-steel sheen? 

 Using WD-40:

Can you use wd40 on stainless steel
Can you use wd40 on stainless steel

 

Cleaning agents like WD-40 have been trusted to be fast, effective, and extremely useful in the cleaning and maintenance of stainless steel. Its special formula is engineered to get under the dust and grease and clean it up – sticky tape residue, or just plain kitchen grime. It’s an expert cleaner that is known to revive the shine of steel and is extremely easy to use. 

The actual cleaning process 

When it comes to cleaning stainless steel, it isn’t cumbersome at all – despite the posh and pampered vibe it gives off. Just spray the cleaner onto a microfiber swab and wipe horizontally, or vertically. It’s important to maintain the direction of strokes, just to avoid any swabs and fingerprints along the way. Do this regularly, and your stainless steel will always remain shiny and new. 

Here are a few general dos and don’ts of cleaning stainless steel effectively 

Can you use wd40 on stainless steel
Can you use wd40 on stainless steel

The dos
  1. Use a soft cloth or microfiber for the cleaning process, and not a thicker fabric. 
  2. Always consider the cleaner that’s best for the final finish and polish. 
  3. Begin with cleaning the appliance with warm water before using a cleaner if you prefer it that way. 
  4. Always wipe away water streaks and such with a dry cloth at the end 
The don’ts 
  1. Never bleach. Ever. It will damage your beautiful stainless-steel look, due to its harsh cleaning components. 
  2. Powder detergents and abrasive cleaners should be avoided since they will probably leave more scratches than sheen. 
  3. Don’t undermine the effectiveness of regular wiping down, especially if you have access to cleaners like WD-40 which leave a protective layer that maintains the integrity and beauty of stainless steel.

    Sarah Rae Smith has lived all across the Midwest and currently calls the bratwurst-laden city of Sheboygan home. She seeks out kitchens that make the best pie and farmers with fresh eggs.

    updated Jul 18, 2020

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    (Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

    Hi my name is Sarah and I have a pet peeve. The water and fingerprints that are left behind on stainless steel drive me crazy (first world problems). I’ve tested products that work ok, and can clean a sink with flour like it’s nobody’s business, but apparently all I needed to squelch it all was a household staple found in the garage.

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    The folks over at This Old House are rarely wrong. They have years of beards and plaid built up along with all their knowledge, so when they dole out advice, we’re all ears.

    Their recent suggestion mentions using the spray lubricant WD40 to help clean off water marks, fingerprints and stubborn marks from your stainless steel. Not only will it clean things up in a snap, it also further protects the surface from gaining these marks again. Will you have to do it again down the road? Sure, but not as frequently as other products made specifically for the purpose will!

    NOTE: As readers have pointed out below, WD40 is petroleum based product so it’s important to consider food and health safety if using in the kitchen. The tip from This Old House was for use in the sink and advised to clean the sink off well after use.

    What should you not use on stainless steel?

    7 Cleaning Products You Should Never Use on Stainless Steel.
    Harsh abrasives..
    Scouring powders..
    Steel wool..
    Bleach and other chlorine products..
    Glass cleaners that contain ammonia, such as Windex..
    Tap water, especially if yours tends to be hard water (use clean distilled or filtered H2O instead).
    Oven cleaners..

    Does WD

    Wd40 removes scratches from stainless steel.

    What is the best way to clean stainless steel?

    The Best At-Home Methods for Cleaning Stainless Steel.
    Add white vinegar to a clean spray bottle..
    Spray down your stainless-steel appliance..
    Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth..
    Once clean, dip your cloth into a small amount of olive oil..
    Move the cloth in the direction of the grain..

    What is the best liquid to clean stainless steel?

    To clean stainless steel, simply spritz it with white vinegar and wipe it down with the grain to remove any gunk, stains, or smudges. Follow up with another wipe of a water-moistened cloth to make it extra shiny.