Magic DIY Stainless Steel Cleaner

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My favorite two-ingredient DIY Stainless Steel Cleaner.


Keeping stainless steel appliances clean can be a challenge. Not only do you have to worry about fingerprints and smudges, but you also have to make sure that the surface is free of dirt and grease.

I happened upon this magical cleaner that I keep STOCKED at the house here. It’s a breeze to make and it’s cheap too. Bonus; it also works on mirrors and windows and has mild disinfecting properties. Yay! It’s one of my favorite cleaning hacks ever.

a spray bottle and microfiber cloth on a stove 
DIY Stainless Steel Cleaner

Commercial stainless steel cleaners can be expensive, but with just two ingredients, you can make your homemade cleaner that works just as well. In this tutorial, we will show you how to make a DIY stainless steel cleaner.

Things You’ll Need

Note: Rubbing Alcohol can have a strong odor, so use this in a well-ventilated area. Rubbing Alcohol and its fumes are flammable, so do not use this cleaner near an open flame or open heat source – such as in your oven. This goes without saying but I’ll mention it anyways — rubbing alcohol is not like vodka –so please do not drink. Finally, while rubbing alcohol has disinfecting qualities, I can’t be sure this particular mixture will kill all germs. It’s best to refer to the CDC for that. It does make a fantastic cleaner though!! 🙂

How to Make this DIY Stainless Steel Cleaner

The ratio I use is 1 part alcohol to 1 part water. Grab your spray bottle and mix this ratio in the amounts you want.

a spray bottle on a kitchen counter - diy stainless steel cleaner - just two ingredients!

I have a 16 oz spray bottle and go with 1/2 cup of alcohol to 1/2 cup of water. You can add a few drops of your favorite essential oils (such as lavender/rosemary/lemon) if you want to cut the smell, but I find that it dissipates quickly (don’t forget those important notes mentioned above about it’s flammability).

filled a spray bottle with water - two ingredient diy stainless steel cleaner 

Finally, make sure to label the spray bottle with the solution inside so you don’t forget!

Related: How to Clean Oven Racks the Easy Way

How to Use this cleaner

Now how to use it. Simply spray the solution onto your stainless steel appliances and wipe it clean with a microfiber cloth. I LOVE these microfiber cloths. I use them everywhere. If you are cleaning something like a cell phone or remote control, it’s best to spray the cloth first, then wipe down.

spraying cleaner on a stainless steel refrigerator

Voila! You now have a streak-free, clean stainless steel surface.

You will be amazed at how well this works. It’s better than any other cleaner I’ve ever tried out there for stainless steel (including Weiman and Windex).

cleaning a stainless steel refrigerator with a microfiber cloth

But this solution also works wonders on these things too:

  • Windows and glass doors
  • Mirrors
  • Light switches (to disinfect and clean)
  • Remote control (spray a cloth first, then wipe)
  • Cell Phones (spray a cloth first, then wipe)
  • Computer Keyboard and Mouse (spray a cloth first, then wipe)
  • Chrome fixtures
  • Remove hairspray gunk
  • Stainless Steel Sink
  • Defrost your car windows in the winter!!
a spray bottle on a kitchen counter - diy stainless steel cleaner - just two ingredients!

If you’re looking for a way to clean without the pricey, weird-chemical-filled commercial cleaners, this DIY stainless steel cleaner is a great option. I hope you guys love it as much as I do!

Thanks for visiting today,

Xo Karen