Restore Your Stainless Steel’s Luster With Olive Oil

I’m not a huge fan of using harsh chemicals in my home, so I used to cringe whenever I’d break out the stainless steel polish for cleaning the kitchen appliances. It was a huge relief when I found out that there’s a more natural way to erase those smudges and fingerprints: olive oil.

“If you want a polished stainless steel look, you should use olive oil,” says Forrest Webber, owner of Bear Brothers Cleaning. “Olive oil gives your stainless steel that extra shine that even your guests will notice!”

But, there are a few tricks to getting it right. Here’s how to clean stainless steel with olive oil.

How To Clean Stainless Steel With Olive Oil

Wipe it Down

Start by wiping down the surface with warm water, a little soap and a soft cloth. This will get rid of dirt and grease. Avoid using abrasive scrubbers, as they can scratch the stainless steel.

Next, dry it with a clean towel, so there are no water spots.

Alicia Sokolowski, President and CEO of AspenClean, recommends using a high-quality microfiber cloth to prevent lint and streaks and cleaning with vinegar to help remove grime and water spots. “Avoid skipping the vinegar step, as it can result it trapping dirt under the oil,” she says.

If you have tough stains or stuck-on residue, Sokolowski recommends also sprinkling baking soda on the problem area, and letting it sit for a few minutes.

Add a Tiny Bit of Olive Oil

Put just a few drops of olive oil on a soft cloth and wipe it onto the stainless steel. Make sure to go the same direction as the grain, says Ryan Knoll, owner of Tidy Casa. “It’s like petting a cat the right way,” he says. “Also, a little oil goes a long way. If you wipe off the extra and it still feels greasy, you used too much!”

Buff it for Shine

Use a dry cloth to wipe away any extra oil. “This helps it shine without feeling greasy,” says Knoll.

Pros and Cons of Cleaning Stainless Steel With Olive Oil

The biggest con to cleaning stainless steel with olive oil is that if you use too much, it can leave the surface feeling greasy. But “the biggest pro is that you can make your stainless steel look like you’re a professional chef with the shine!” Says Webber.

Other pros of olive oil include:

• Easy to find;
• Affordable;
• Eco-friendly and chemical-free;
• Prevents fingerprints and smudges;
• Safe for food surfaces.

Other cons include:

• It can feel sticky or greasy if you use too much;
• Attracts dust after a while;
• Requires frequent reapplication.

FAQ

Does it matter what type of olive oil I use to clean stainless steel?

Yes. Use light or regular olive oil to clean stainless steel, since extra virgin olive oil is thicker and can leave a smell, says Knoll. Webber further recommends going organic, and especially likes Graza brand.

How often should I clean my stainless steel products with olive oil?

Knoll recommends a quick shine-up once a week and a deep clean every few weeks. “If it starts to feel sticky, wipe it down with vinegar and start fresh,” he says.

About the Experts

• Ryan Knoll is owner of Tidy Casa, which he founded in 2015. The company cleans more than 600 homes a month in the Phoenix and Tucson areas.
• Forrest Webber is owner of Bear Brothers Cleaning in Huntsville, Alabama, which specializes in floors, plus other aspects of home cleaning.
• Alicia Sokolowski is President and CEO of AspenClean, a green cleaning company and products manufacturer in Vancouver, British Columbia.

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