How To Clean Old Stainless Steel

Old stainless steel sometimes becomes dull and unattractive, leaving you in need of a cleaning routine that will safely remove buildup from the stainless steel, while also bringing out the material's natural shine. A few costly commercial cleaning products are designed to clean and polish stainless steel, but by making your own cleaning solution you can both save money and time, as you don't need to visit the grocery store to buy a commercial cleaner.

Step 1

Dab a drop of dish soap onto a damp cleaning rag, and wipe it over the old stainless steel to remove food residue and other buildup.

Step 2

Rinse the cloth with warm water, wring it out and pour 1 tablespoon of white vinegar onto the rag.

Step 3

Scrub over the stainless steel again, as the vinegar will remove more stubborn stains.

Step 4

Dry the steel with a clean rag.

Step 5

Drizzle 2 tablespoons of baby oil onto the cleaning rag and rub it into the stainless steel. Continue until you clean the entire stainless steel surface. The baby oil restores shine and works well in masking scratches.