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Cleaning commercial stainless steel with Sheila Shine Cleaner & Polish

As the stainless steel market has grown, the question has changed from, “where do I buy stainless steel?” to “how do I clean stainless steel?” Many people are learning the secrets of cleaning steel long known by food service and other commercial professionals, who have been using and cleaning stainless steel for generations.

The first thing you need to understand about stainless steel is how NOT to clean it. There are a lot of mistakes you can make with stainless steel so we’re here to tell you what to avoid when cleaning your industrial appliances, fixtures, etc.

Never use bleach. Bleach and cleaning compounds that include it will cause surface corrosion on the metal, which can make the stainless steel appear to be, well, stained. This mistake is easy to make since diluted bleach and bleach cleaners are among the best ways to sanitize kitchen surfaces to prevent foodborne illnesses.
Do not use abrasive cleaners or scrubbers. Steel wool, stiff-bristle brushes, and other hard scrubbers, along with abrasive cleaning compounds can all scratch, mar, and dull the metal.
Avoid scrubbing against the grain. Stainless steel used to make restaurant equipment and home appliances is typically given very small striations across its surface that create what’s called a “brushed finish.” That texture helps hide some small marks like fingerprints but can itself become noticeably marred by scrubbing against the surface grain.

While cleaning stainless steel may seem like a bit of a challenge or hassle, it’s actually fairly simple.

What You Need

Cleaning cloths: The best choice is microfiber cleaning cloths because they are not coarse, provide the closest thing to a streak-free clean possible, and can also be used to polish glass. You will need two to four, depending on which cleaner you opt to use. Important note: Never wash a microfiber cloth in a load of laundry that gets a dose of fabric softener, as those compounds can coat the fabric and inhibit its ability to absorb liquids.
A cleaner: There are specialized cleaners for stainless steel that leave it with a bright shine. If you do not have any on hand or try not to use chemicals in cleaning, there are other common alternatives, including dish soap, white vinegar, and glass cleaner.
- Our recommendation: Sheila Shine! Sheila Shine is a 3-in-1 stainless steel product. It cleans, polishes, and protects all in one! No other stainless steel cleaner on the market has the ability to do what Sheila Shine can.

How to use

To prepare: Gather some microfiber cloths and your Sheila Shine cleaner.

Use a microfiber cloth to clean off stuck-on food and debris. Use it with hot water and if necessary, use a dry cloth to remove the remaining moisture from the metal.
Spray or pour (Sheila shine is available both ways!) a light, even layer of cleaner across the surface of the metal, then use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to clean, protect and polish the steel, wiping with the grain.