How do you clean black stainless steel

The oh-so-popular black stainless steel is sure to look luxurious in your kitchen. All black stainless appliances are making their way up the totem pole and taking over modern kitchens. In order to keep them in mint condition and shining bright in your kitchen, there is a bit of maintenance required.  

Although black stainless steel is more fingerprint resistant, it is not resistant to grime and leftover food residue from cooking. Black stainless also requires a bit more maintenance in order for it to last in your kitchen. Because the manufacturing process is different than stainless steel, caring for black stainless is different as well. Here are a couple tips from the Appliance Educator Team on the best methods to clean black stainless steel. 

You may be thinking oh, that’s easy. Can’t you just use a regular stainless-steel cleaner? Well, if that’s what you have heard, then you are in the right place. Stainless steel cleaners and polishes can actually damage the black finish of the stainless steel.

How do you clean black stainless steel
How do you clean black stainless steel

Black Stainless ovens in a modern kitchen.

Because of the coated finish, it is imperative that you don’t do anything to scratch or damage the finish and expose the steel beneath. Therefore, you never want to use abrasive cleaners like window sprays, scouring cleansers, cleaning waxes, or detergents. Even a standard non-abrasive kitchen cleaner can do damage to your black stainless and leave unwanted spots.

So, what is there left to use? Well, we have found that the best method for cleaning black stainless steel is warm soapy water. That’s it! Soap and water are the least abrasive and using them is the safest way to clean your black stainless steel.

It is also important to be cautious of the material you use to wipe it down. Metallic pads, bristle brushes, and rough paper towels can scratch or damage the coated finish. It is best to use soft, micro-fiber cloth to wipe down your black stainless appliances. Just grab a microfiber cloth, some soap and some water.

Don’t let the installation of black stainless steel appliances scare you. As long as you realize that it is a luxury-style appliance that requires up-keeping, there will be no surprises. If you’re careful and stick to soapy water, your appliances will keep for years to come.

There’s a lot to like about black stainless steel, but in order to be completely happy with your investment, you’ll need to brush up on how to clean black stainless steel. Here’s what you need to know to make sure it looks good for years to come.

While the standard silver-toned stainless steel finish that took the world by storm 20 years ago is still the most popular look for kitchen appliances, manufacturers are betting the black stainless steel will make a big splash — if not dethrone stainless as the finish of choice for Millennial buyers.

What Is Black Stainless Steel?

Black stainless steel appliances are made from the same durable metal as traditional stainless ones, but they have a , which adds an additional layer of protection against corrosion. The exact color of the black oxide finish varies among manufacturers, though, so it’s a good idea to see the differences between Kitchen Aid’s deep black, Samsung’s charcoal and LG’s lighter gray finishes before choosing. Because the colors vary, appliances will blend with each other — and with smaller  sporting the new finish — but they may not match exactly.

How to Clean Black Stainless Steel

How do you clean black stainless steel

How to clean black stainless steel, follow these easy steps:

  1. Soak up wet spills with an absorbent cloth towel or napkin.
  2. Use warm soapy water — no special stainless steel cleaners required — to gently wipe away any remaining residue with a soft cloth.
  3. Buff dry with another soft cloth or microfiber towel to maintain the shine and avoid streaks.
Note:  that you should never use steel wool, baking soda or other abrasive cleaners or tools on black stainless steel surfaces, as this can mar the finish or scratch away the decorative coating over time.

Maintaining Black Stainless Steel Appliances

Though you’re unlikely to notice a buildup of fingerprints and other marks from daily use, it’s still a good idea to regularly clean your black stainless to keep it looking its best. To do so, just follow the steps above once a month or so, whether you have a spill or not. The fact that you can’t see dirt as easily on black stainless is a double-edged sword: It’s great for daily living, but it can lull you into thinking your appliances are cleaner than they are! Add a quick wipe down with soap and water to your cleaning routine every few weeks to keep your appliances in like-new condition.

How Not to Clean Your Black Stainless Steel

Because the black finish is a coating that doesn’t penetrate through the metal of your appliances, it’s important not to damage that decorative and protective layer. Avoid the following cleaning products and tools to keep from accidentally killing your kitchen with kindness.

Cleaning Tools to Avoid With Black Stainless Steel

  • Steel wool
  • Scouring pads
  • Paper towels
  • Newspaper
  • Abrasive cloths

Cleaning Products to Avoid With Black Stainless Steel

  • Powdered soaps or cleansers
  • Baking soda
  • Abrasive liquid soaps
  • Ammonia
  • Window cleaner (even non-ammonia formulas)
  • Vinegar, lemon and other acids
  • Oven cleaner
  • Flammable products

Black Stainless Steel Scratch Prevention and Repair

While the black oxide coating on black stainless steel has big advantages when it comes to style and smudge prevention, it can be scratched. When this happens, the silvery traditional stainless steel underneath will show through.  has shown that permanent scratches are possible on all brands of black stainless but that some fare better than others. (Samsung, in particular, gets good marks for durability.)For most people, the best defense against scratches is a bit of prevention. Keep keys and jewelry out of the kitchen if you’re concerned about accidents, and teach kids good safety practices about carrying forks, knives and scissors point-down.  that basic wear and tear from life with kids shouldn’t scratch black stainless steel, though a diamond ring certainly might.And if you do scratch your black stainless steel? You may be able to contact the manufacturer for a matching finish and treat the scratch the way you would one on your car:  and buff to blend the edges. While this will work on some metal, others with a polymer coating could be made worse by any additional friction, so be sure to check with the manufacturer before trying any DIY remedies.

How do you clean black stainless steel

Quick Fix: If your scratch is tiny, you might be able to get away with using a black or gray Sharpie to color over any silver showing through. Sometimes this is enough of a cover-up that the scratch won’t be noticed by people who aren’t looking for it. It’s best to try this technique in an inconspicuous spot first, though.

Learn More about NewAir’s Black Stainless Steel Appliances:

In two different sizes, each black stainless steel wine or beverage cooler makes the perfect complement to any home.

Can I use vinegar to clean black stainless steel?

Look closely at your stainless steel and find the grain. Dampen your microfiber cloth with vinegar and rub with the grain to remove dirt, grease, and grime. Let the vinegar dry and dampen the other microfiber cloth with olive oil.

Can I use stainless steel cleaner on black stainless steel?

Use warm soapy water — no special stainless steel cleaners required — to gently wipe away any remaining residue with a soft cloth.

How do you get smudges off black stainless steel?

We always recommend using warm soapy water with a mild dish soap and a soft cloth to begin with. This method is proven to be the best way to remove smudges and fingerprints. If you'd like, you can also add a small amount of baking soda to the mixture to get rid of any stubborn grime.

Can you get scratches out of black stainless steel?

Fortunately, these are also easy to resolve. You can cover minor scratches with a gray or black sharpie marker. Buff softly with a microfiber cloth and the scratch will simply fade away. For deeper scratches, consult your manufacturer for touch-up paint that will cover them precisely.