The 8 Best Stainless Steel Cleaners of 2023

Best Overall

Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish Trigger Spray

4.7

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This top-rated cleaner sprays easily to clean off everything on your stainless steel surfaces—from fingerprints on the refrigerator to stuck-on food in your sink. The Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner is safe to use on kitchen appliances, such as dishwashers and ovens. You can also use it on smaller items, like silverware and cookware. The versatility of this Weiman cleaner sets it apart from other options on the market.

Using Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner goes beyond just getting your items clean. It adds a protective coating to your appliances to keep fingerprints and dirt from finding their way back onto your shiny appliances. It is also effective against grease, a common kitchen culprit that not only looks dingy but can create other problems for your home. The finish is both protective and streak-free, so it will keep your items sparkling for a long time.

This is a budget-friendly option but doesn’t come in a large quantity. While a little bit goes a long way, if you know that you’ll be cleaning a lot of stainless steel items often, we recommend buying in bulk.

Price at time of publish: $17

_{Type: Spray | Amount: 12 ounces | Scent: Unscented}

Best Budget

Pledge Stainless Steel Cleaner Spray

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This aerosol spray from Pledge is easy to use and budget-friendly, and on top of that, it's highly effective. It keeps fingerprints off of stainless steel surfaces, including appliances and grills. It leaves a shinier finish than some other cleaners. Rather than providing a protective barrier, this is a true cleaner that removes dirt, grime, and other buildup.

Some people think that the signature lemon Pledge scent is overpowering, while others embrace its familiarity in their home. Either way, it is quite strong and may not be great for those with chemical or scent sensitivities. Pledge uses chemical fragrances, which is important to note for those with allergies.

Price at time of publish: $6

_{Type: Spray | Amount: 9.7 ounces | Scent: Lemon}

Best Eco-Friendly

Therapy Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish Kit

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Made with plant-based ingredients and essential oils, the Therapy Stainless Steel Cleaner Kit still packs a powerful cleaning punch. The scent and cleaning power come from coconut oil, which cleans and polishes. Lavender essential oil adds another natural scent to the formula.

For cleaning food preparation areas, the safe ingredient list is a major perk. This is a more expensive option than some others on our list, but you can buy it in larger quantities for better savings. Remember that with most spray cleaners, you will need a cloth to buff the surface. Therapy recommends a microfiber cloth for best results.

Price at time of publish: $20

_{Type: Spray | Amount: 16 ounces | Scent: Lavender}

Best Polish

ZEP Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish

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Another aerosol spray, the Zep Stainless Steel Polish is easy to use without worrying about drips and streaky spots. Simply spray it on, buff it into the stainless steel surface (with the grain), and reveal a sparkling finish. It can also work for chrome and aluminum surfaces. This spray targets water spots, fingerprints and smudges, and discoloration. It can also protect against rust and corrosion.

This is an ideal spray for appliances, but it isn’t great for cookware. While the ingredients are safe, it’s important to buff all of the product off before using your cookware. And even though it's technically unscented, it has a chemical smell that some people find quite strong.

Price at time of publish: $8

_{Type: Spray | Amount: 14 ounces | Scent: Unscented}

Best Wipes

Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaning Wipes

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Our top pick, the Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner, also comes in wipes. These convenient wipes clean and polish, just like the spray. They also add a protective layer to keep future fingerprints and grease from accumulating. The wipe application method makes this cleaner easy to use on things like refrigerator handles, which is a common place in the kitchen that needs special attention.

Each container includes 30 wipes, making it convenient but not the best value. One wipe can carry you through cleaning multiple appliances if they aren't too dirty. For a better value, consider purchasing these in bulk. You can also purchase a combination kit that includes the wipes for convenience and the spray for long-term use.

Price at time of publish: $18

_{Type: Wipes | Amount: 30 | Scent: Unscented}

Best for Grills

Goo Gone Grill and Grate Cleaner Spray

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Grills often require heavy-duty cleaning, but you still want them to remain safe for food prep areas. The Goo Gone Grill and Grate Cleaner does just that. This spray destroys cooked-on food on the interior grates and built-up dirt from the grill’s exterior. This choice also has a degreaser, which is perfect for cleaning up food spills. It can be used on most standard grills, which Goo Gone goes into detail about in its instruction manual.

This isn’t safe for faux stainless steel or aluminum. It’s important to know what type of surface you need to clean. If you are in doubt, try a small section with this cleaner before using it on your entire grill surface.

Price at time of publish: $18

_{Type: Spray | Amount: 24 ounces | Scent: Citrus}

Best for Cookware

Bar Keeper's Friend Superior Cookware Cleanser & Polish

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Bar Keeper’s Friend is a favorite among home chefs and professionals alike. This convenient powder cleaner can be applied directly to stainless steel cookware and scrubbed away to reveal a sparkling clean finish. It includes a cleaner and degreaser, making it our top choice for cookware. Even if your items have been cleaned with regular dishwashing detergent, try Bar Keeper’s Friend cookware polish and see what clean really looks like.

This cleaner can be used on a variety of cookware, not just stainless steel. It is safe for glass cookware, grills, and sinks. It also tackles rust stains, lime deposits, and baked-on grease. You will need a sink and sponge or cloth to use this cleaner. It is the best option for cookware but is hard to apply to appliances and larger items.

Price at time of publish: $9

_{Type: Powder | Amount: 12 ounces | Scent: Unscented}