How to Clean Stainless Steel Like a Pro

We’ve all been there — you step away from your stove for a second, accidentally let the oil heat up on your stainless steel pan for a little too long, and are left with a burnt, discolored mess that feels like it’s beyond saving. If this happens to you, don’t freak out just yet. We asked four professional chefs (and one professional cleaner!) for tips on cleaning stainless steel, and they came back to us with five tricks to revive pots, pans, and knives and leave them sparkling like new.

Expert-Recommended Stainless Steel Cleaning Products

• Bar Keepers Friend Superior Cookware Cleanser and Polish, $7, originally $9
• Hamgtrion Steel Wool Scrubber, Pack of 4, $9, originally $10
• Scrub Daddy Scrub Mommy Sponges, Pack of 3, $14
• Redecker Copper Cleaning Cloths, Pack of 2, $20, originally $21
• Therapy Clean Stainless Steel Cleaner Kit, $20

George Ryle, in-house chef at Swaledale Butchers, recommends Bar Keepers Friend for “tougher marks or discoloration.” It effectively cleans and degreases, and easily cuts through any caked-on food marks, stains, and even rust to make your stainless steel sparkle like new. Marcos De Andrade, founder of Green Planet Cleaning Services, seconded the Bar Keepers Friend recommendation, calling it a “go-to, even for us in the professional cleaning world.” 

Marcia Smart, owner of Smart in the Kitchen culinary school, uses simple steel wool sponges to clean her stainless steel. She calls it a “very easy way” to clean her pots and pans, getting the job done with “very hot water and a little dish soap.” These sponges from Hamgtrion are just over $2 apiece and even come with a handle for when you need to put in some extra elbow grease.

For everyday maintenance, co-founder of Inspired Taste Joanne Gallagher uses stainless steel spray and a microfiber cloth to keep her pieces shiny. When it’s time to deal with burns and stains, though, she turns to Scrub Mommy sponges, “because they have a firm side for tougher stains and a soft side that’s gentle on stainless steel.” Grab this pack of three for less than $5 each.

These copper cleaning cloths are a more gentle alternative, according to Lily Osman, professionally trained chef and founder of Sole Cookware. “Copper is softer than steel, so when the threads hit the surface, they give way before the steel does,” she says. Osman calls these sponges “sturdy and flexible enough to get into tight spots,” and they’re even machine washable. An important consideration, however, is to only use the cloths wet, as dry copper will leave behind marks.

Osman says to “dry immediately with something like the Therapy Clean Stainless Steel Microfiber Cloth” after cleaning to prevent water spots from forming, which can cause dull-looking stainless steel. This cleaning kit from Therapy comes with a microfiber cloth and a stainless steel cleaning spray — the two key ingredients to a polished finish that’ll make your kitchen appliances sparkle like new. When cleaning silverware and cookware, only wipe it down with a clean microfiber cloth, as the spray is ideal for stainless steel appliances and surfaces.