Polish stainless steel only after cleaning it. Wash the surface with warm water, a small amount of mild dish soap, and a soft microfiber cloth; wipe in the direction of the grain, rinse away residue, and dry completely. For extra shine, use a polish approved by the appliance or fixture manufacturer. Never use steel wool, scouring powder, or an abrasive pad.
First, identify the surface
“Stainless steel” does not describe one universal finish. Traditional brushed stainless, fingerprint-resistant stainless, black stainless, sinks, and cooking surfaces can have different care rules. Look for the model’s care instructions before applying any polish. A coating on fingerprint-resistant or black stainless can be damaged by a product that is harmless on bare steel.
| Surface | Start with | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional brushed appliance | Mild dish soap, warm water, microfiber | Wipe with the visible grain |
| Fingerprint-resistant or black stainless | Warm soapy water and the exact owner’s manual | Do not assume a stainless polish is coating-safe |
| Stainless sink | Dish soap and a nonabrasive sponge | Rinse and dry to prevent water spots |
| Food-contact or cooking surface | Manufacturer-approved cleaner | Do not leave an oily polish where food or heat contacts it |
Step-by-step cleaning and polishing
- Let the surface cool. Do not clean a hot cooktop, oven door, or pan.
- Find the grain. Brushed steel has faint lines running in one direction. Work parallel to those lines rather than across them.
- Remove grit first. Loose crumbs can become abrasives under a cloth. Lift them away instead of grinding them across the finish.
- Wash gently. Wipe with warm, diluted dish-soap solution and a clean microfiber cloth. Pay attention to handles and the area around controls, where skin oils collect.
- Rinse the cloth and wipe again. Soap left behind creates haze that people often mistake for a damaged finish.
- Dry immediately. Use a second clean microfiber cloth, again following the grain. For many appliances, this is all the “polishing” needed.
- Apply approved polish only if needed. Put a small amount on the cloth rather than spraying controls, seams, labels, or the floor. Buff lightly with the grain and remove all excess.
How to handle fingerprints, water spots, and discoloration
Fingerprints
Warm soapy water usually removes fingerprints. If they return immediately, the cloth may be carrying oil; switch to a freshly washed microfiber cloth.
Water spots
Re-wet the entire marked area with clean water, then dry it evenly instead of rubbing only the edge of the spot. Check the owner’s manual before trying an acidic household remedy, especially on coated finishes.
Heat tint, rust-colored marks, or stubborn stains
Do not attack the mark with steel wool or a random abrasive. GE’s care guidance distinguishes ordinary cleaning from stains and discoloration and directs owners to an appropriate stainless-steel cleaner. Use the product named for the specific surface, or ask the manufacturer if the finish is uncertain.
Products and tools to avoid
- Steel wool, metal brushes, abrasive pads, and scouring powders
- Bleach or cleaners containing chlorine unless the manufacturer explicitly permits them
- Oven cleaner on an exterior appliance finish
- Dirty paper towels or cloths that may contain grit
- Any oil or polish on a floor, handle, cooktop, or food-contact surface where it can create a slip, residue, or heat hazard
For other surfaces, see our guides to cleaning soapstone countertops and cleaning quartzite countertops. Their care rules are different from stainless steel.
Sources
Checked August 21, 2026.
