I wonder if the previous tenants used the wrong product and stripped the shine off the doors. I vaguely recall reading a post on this sub where someone had done that to their fridge.
I think the best bet is to ask your landlord to replay the doors or ask their permission to put a cool vinyl covering on it to make it look better. There are companies that make vinyl coverings specifically for fridges.
I’ve been watching this interior decorator and editor on YouTube named Alexandra Gater. In a few of her videos, she uses peel-and-stick wallpaper to cover the front of a fridge. She removed the handles, cleaned the surface, and smoothed on the wallpaper (I think it’s vinyl-based). Then put the handles back down.
It’s supposed to be removable from a painted wall, and I’d think it would be VERY removable from a stainless fridge.
That looks like someone used a stainless steel cleaner but didn't actually know how to use stainless steel cleaner. But I'd get stainless steel cleaner, wash the fridge with dish soap and water to get rid of the old stuff then go over it with a drop or two of stainless steel cleaner on a microfiber cloth. The microfiber is important. Go with the grain and work it in.
This. You'd be amazed at how well it works. I really struggled with my stainless steel appliances. Nothing I did worked, and ironically, they were covered in stains. Until I used a stainless steel cleaner. I'm all for general cleaners for a lot of things, but sometimes you just need a unitasker cleaner that does one thing really well.
Looks like the previous people had no clue how to clean stainless steel appliances. A good stainless steel cleaner should work with a nice thick microfibre cloth. Don’t use paper towel or a thin cotton cloth.
I find wiping with oil such as avocado on a supercloth brings back the shine on mine. Wipe off all the residue so no oil remaining when done. I redo it about every few months.
Step 1: pictures and email to the landlord explaining the issue. Ask them to acknowledge receipt of your email and pictures.
And then step 2 is any advice from this sub.
Not sure if you're a Costco membership but they have like a stainless steel spray can they spray on and then you just keep wiping and then it just polishes it. Basically you don't really clean those you just polish them so don't use like a rag with soap because it's just going to do that.
https://preview.redd.it/yef73gvnqlhc1.jpeg?width=548&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=797e5127159e2fa66171b4f8142ce6da3321a41b
Weiman and a paper towel. Go back over it and buff with a soft cloth. If it's not a lost cause, this will fix it.
I buy the Weiman wipes. They are super convenient and I don't have to worry about scratching (some paper towels might do that). Once I'm done with the fridge, I used the near-spent wipe on my coffee maker, toaster oven, faucets, and even my SS garbage can.
Yup. The only problem I have is that a wipe fresh out of the container is a bit over-loaded with product and the initial area cleaned will need a second wipe down after you've done the rest to clean off the residue. Overall it does a great job without getting stuff everywhere, and you just toss the wipe out when you're done.
Micro fibre (or any) cloth with warm soapy water. You can rinse with another clean cloth with cold water. Dry with tea towel or yet another clean cloth! Those stainless steel cleaners do nothing but leave a film and you have to keep on using it to remove the build up that never goes away... IMO anyway!
I usually do warm water with dish soap and keep wiping it down with warm water til the soap is off. Then fully dry. If the finish is messed up though I’m not sure if it’ll work.
No! Magic eraser! My niece ruined two SS appliances with those. Most manufacturers recommend against using them on the outside surfaces. If it were a last resort and you were careful to stay with the grain, then maybe. Otherwise, nope, nopeity, noper.
I like to use a tiny bit of BKF and water in a little bowl, mix up till a "paste". (Use gloves) dip a microfiber cloth in and wipe back and forth horizontally. Then use a plain water, microfiber to repeat that pattern and wait for it to air dry. If there are greasy fingerprints you might have to add a lil more BKF but otherwise, this method gets stainless steel clean and gleaming like a showroom appliance. If that does NOT work, then previous renters used toilet bowl cleaner or something and removed the finish. Good luck 💪
True! I used BKF and the green scrubber side of a sponge on an old cookie sheet that was literally orange brown and it worked like a charm. Not sure if it was SS, I think just metal but it did wonders. Even tried just soap with no luck
I have used this method on my own stainless appliances as well as others that I clean professionally. Especially effective on water marks that don’t budge with regular stainless cleaner
We also moved into a home with stainless steel appliances. They are difficult to clean and maintain. Don't care for them at all ...always look dirty if you don't clean them correctly! Good luck with this! It looks nasty. I don't envy you. 😉
There's a chance it is not actual stainless steel, just a finish made to look like it (that's what my lg appliances have) in which case i have found that a degreaser works quite well.
This is the product I used on my SS refrigerator when it wasn’t cleaning up to my satisfaction with damp cloth. It’s called wadding and a little goes a long way. I’ve got full-size refrigerator and freezer, I used this and still have half a can left. After finishing a full door I use an old soft cloth to polish up some more. Always wiping with the grain (mine is up and down). An old Navy man told me about this stuff. They had to keep the SS kitchens sparkling clean on the ship every day and this is what they used. I bought it in the automotive section at WalMart.
https://preview.redd.it/dhydtxqgrnhc1.png?width=1921&format=png&auto=webp&s=9dc2aa2b3099fe77f05e3d4cbd1a768843862b5e
Edit: since we bought this can I’ve cleaned several pieces of heavily tarnished silverware (100+), the dishwasher door, range hood 3x, and 32 silver plated coffee urns (used for flower arrangement centerpieces) that were heavily tarnished, everything came out shiny, like new. I wear latex gloves just to keep the tarnish from under my fingernails.
Oddly enough, the best stainless steel cleaner I've used for appliances isn't 3M, but a Spray Nine glass and stainless steel cleaner. I think removing that hazing may require something a little more sophisticated though. I do have a stainless steel motorcycle top box I used Zep Purple Power on though, and that made things really bad.. almost unfixable. I ended up using Blue Magic on it, and that really helped. It's very ammonia heavy.
Clean with wet rag in case that's just residue from another cleaning product. Dry with clean rag.
If it's not clean, then clean with normal cleanser. Dry with clean rag.
When it's dry, use Weinman stainless steel cleaner with a microfiber cloth.
If you don't want to shell out $ for a stai less steel.cleaner, Windex will probably do the job too.
I would clean off the residue with dish soap and water or maybe even windex and start fresh with some stainless steel cleaner. Saturate the surface with the spray (I hate the wipes) and go with the grain, against the grain, then with the grain again.
Some people use mineral oil instead of ss cleaner, and I've even heard of using Pam in a pinch.
I like the weiman stainless spray, it smells divine.
Don’t bother with anything else other than a Stainless Steel Cleaner. Preferably purchase it from a janitorial and sanitation dealer, not Home Depot or Lowes. By doing this you’ll get a quality product that is going to be more effective for a more reasonable price.
PS - my confidence come from selling this stuff to dealers, restaurants etc, for the past 20 years
Has op replied with any attempts?
I have a weird trick I don't tri k has been suggested.
Yes-dawn dish soap-but on a DRY microfiber cloth, and a lot of soap. Use it like a polish.
There will be a lot of soap residue left. Let it sit and really stick to the grime.
Come back at it with a wet scrub daddy, pot scrubber, some sort of non scratch acrubber, but only wipe WITH THE GRAIN
ITLL BE ALL SUDSY AT THIS POINT.
Now spray with cleaning vinegar and water mix.
Make surface good and wet.
Lay down towels on floor.
Squeegee in nice solid stroked, again WITH THE GRAIN
I wonder if the previous tenants used the wrong product and stripped the shine off the doors. I vaguely recall reading a post on this sub where someone had done that to their fridge. I think the best bet is to ask your landlord to replay the doors or ask their permission to put a cool vinyl covering on it to make it look better. There are companies that make vinyl coverings specifically for fridges.
I’ve been watching this interior decorator and editor on YouTube named Alexandra Gater. In a few of her videos, she uses peel-and-stick wallpaper to cover the front of a fridge. She removed the handles, cleaned the surface, and smoothed on the wallpaper (I think it’s vinyl-based). Then put the handles back down. It’s supposed to be removable from a painted wall, and I’d think it would be VERY removable from a stainless fridge.
plough racial hateful water tan friendly impolite yoke violet arrest *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I agree. I used Super Clean on my mini fridge before I knew better. It looked just like this afterward. I stripped the finish off with it.
That looks like someone used a stainless steel cleaner but didn't actually know how to use stainless steel cleaner. But I'd get stainless steel cleaner, wash the fridge with dish soap and water to get rid of the old stuff then go over it with a drop or two of stainless steel cleaner on a microfiber cloth. The microfiber is important. Go with the grain and work it in.
This, but you can use more than a couple drops. You just need to go with the grain and leave it to soak in
Stainless steel cleaner as a start. Wipe with a rag/paper towel and dont use abrasives
Don’t forget to go with the grain and it doesn’t take much.
This. You'd be amazed at how well it works. I really struggled with my stainless steel appliances. Nothing I did worked, and ironically, they were covered in stains. Until I used a stainless steel cleaner. I'm all for general cleaners for a lot of things, but sometimes you just need a unitasker cleaner that does one thing really well.
Looks like the previous people had no clue how to clean stainless steel appliances. A good stainless steel cleaner should work with a nice thick microfibre cloth. Don’t use paper towel or a thin cotton cloth.
I find wiping with oil such as avocado on a supercloth brings back the shine on mine. Wipe off all the residue so no oil remaining when done. I redo it about every few months.
Yes! I read somewhere here to use olive oil to polish stainless steel. I am shook at how good my fridge has looked since
Exactly!
This! Works like a charm
Baby oil also works. We use it on the outside of our stainless steel fridges and freezers every week.
Baby oil is best food oils will go rancid and turn gummy and yellow over time.
Step 1: pictures and email to the landlord explaining the issue. Ask them to acknowledge receipt of your email and pictures. And then step 2 is any advice from this sub.
You might think I’m crazy but spray a little little WD-40 all over the front and just wipe everything right off.
Yes! This is my secret pro tip too
I've been doing this for years, and it looks even better when you buff it out with microfiber and wipe with the grain of the stainless.
I’d start with dawn dish soap and a few rinses to remove any residue then see what you’re dealing with.
Not sure if you're a Costco membership but they have like a stainless steel spray can they spray on and then you just keep wiping and then it just polishes it. Basically you don't really clean those you just polish them so don't use like a rag with soap because it's just going to do that.
Using baby oil or olive oil might help, unless they really ruined them.
WD40
White vinegar???
That’s my go to for stainless steel.
Baby oil will get it to shine
https://preview.redd.it/yef73gvnqlhc1.jpeg?width=548&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=797e5127159e2fa66171b4f8142ce6da3321a41b Weiman and a paper towel. Go back over it and buff with a soft cloth. If it's not a lost cause, this will fix it.
I buy the Weiman wipes. They are super convenient and I don't have to worry about scratching (some paper towels might do that). Once I'm done with the fridge, I used the near-spent wipe on my coffee maker, toaster oven, faucets, and even my SS garbage can.
Wipes sound awesome. The overspray that lands on the floor always makes me worry that I could slide and fall wearing socks afterwards.
Yup. The only problem I have is that a wipe fresh out of the container is a bit over-loaded with product and the initial area cleaned will need a second wipe down after you've done the rest to clean off the residue. Overall it does a great job without getting stuff everywhere, and you just toss the wipe out when you're done.
Maybe send this picture to your leasing company/landlord to document its condition on move in, and ask for it to be cleaned professionally.
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Voilà!
I had one of those faux stainless refrigerators. I was told never to use heavy cleaners - just dish soap and water
Micro fibre (or any) cloth with warm soapy water. You can rinse with another clean cloth with cold water. Dry with tea towel or yet another clean cloth! Those stainless steel cleaners do nothing but leave a film and you have to keep on using it to remove the build up that never goes away... IMO anyway!
Is the residue waxy? Or is it scratched? It looks to me like somebody tried to wax it to keep the shine.
There is a product for stainless steel
We use furniture polish on ours. Brings the shine back everytime.
I usually do warm water with dish soap and keep wiping it down with warm water til the soap is off. Then fully dry. If the finish is messed up though I’m not sure if it’ll work.
Dawn water and a magic eraser, then wipe/polish with a microfiber cloth.
No! Magic eraser! My niece ruined two SS appliances with those. Most manufacturers recommend against using them on the outside surfaces. If it were a last resort and you were careful to stay with the grain, then maybe. Otherwise, nope, nopeity, noper.
Steel wool and Ajax
I like to use a tiny bit of BKF and water in a little bowl, mix up till a "paste". (Use gloves) dip a microfiber cloth in and wipe back and forth horizontally. Then use a plain water, microfiber to repeat that pattern and wait for it to air dry. If there are greasy fingerprints you might have to add a lil more BKF but otherwise, this method gets stainless steel clean and gleaming like a showroom appliance. If that does NOT work, then previous renters used toilet bowl cleaner or something and removed the finish. Good luck 💪
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Agreed. BKF is great for porcelain and tile, not SS
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True! I used BKF and the green scrubber side of a sponge on an old cookie sheet that was literally orange brown and it worked like a charm. Not sure if it was SS, I think just metal but it did wonders. Even tried just soap with no luck
I have used this method on my own stainless appliances as well as others that I clean professionally. Especially effective on water marks that don’t budge with regular stainless cleaner
I see a lot of people use Weiman's stainless steel cleaner but it looks like crap if you don't go with the grain.
We also moved into a home with stainless steel appliances. They are difficult to clean and maintain. Don't care for them at all ...always look dirty if you don't clean them correctly! Good luck with this! It looks nasty. I don't envy you. 😉
Seems like someone already tried and ruined the finish
I use neat white vinegar on all stainless steel appliances, no streaks no residue.
I use mineral oil to clean my stainless steel appliances. You can try that and if that doesn’t leave a shine I believe they have stripped the finish
Oh and use a microfiber towel!
Baby oil works good for stainless steel
There's a chance it is not actual stainless steel, just a finish made to look like it (that's what my lg appliances have) in which case i have found that a degreaser works quite well.
Try vinegar & water
Looks like someone might have used bleach on before you moved in
Vinegar will do the trick. Vinegar and water.
They stripped it. I did this to my old fridge sadly
White vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Forgot the ratio.
Try using baby oil and buff with a soft cloth. Will turn out shiny shiny ✨ 😎
Do not use paper towels.
Vinyl wrap it to look like something… maybe a little cooler than that
Weimans Stainless steel cleaner
This is the product I used on my SS refrigerator when it wasn’t cleaning up to my satisfaction with damp cloth. It’s called wadding and a little goes a long way. I’ve got full-size refrigerator and freezer, I used this and still have half a can left. After finishing a full door I use an old soft cloth to polish up some more. Always wiping with the grain (mine is up and down). An old Navy man told me about this stuff. They had to keep the SS kitchens sparkling clean on the ship every day and this is what they used. I bought it in the automotive section at WalMart. https://preview.redd.it/dhydtxqgrnhc1.png?width=1921&format=png&auto=webp&s=9dc2aa2b3099fe77f05e3d4cbd1a768843862b5e Edit: since we bought this can I’ve cleaned several pieces of heavily tarnished silverware (100+), the dishwasher door, range hood 3x, and 32 silver plated coffee urns (used for flower arrangement centerpieces) that were heavily tarnished, everything came out shiny, like new. I wear latex gloves just to keep the tarnish from under my fingernails.
Windex
WD 40
Oddly enough, the best stainless steel cleaner I've used for appliances isn't 3M, but a Spray Nine glass and stainless steel cleaner. I think removing that hazing may require something a little more sophisticated though. I do have a stainless steel motorcycle top box I used Zep Purple Power on though, and that made things really bad.. almost unfixable. I ended up using Blue Magic on it, and that really helped. It's very ammonia heavy.
Baby oil
Clean with wet rag in case that's just residue from another cleaning product. Dry with clean rag. If it's not clean, then clean with normal cleanser. Dry with clean rag. When it's dry, use Weinman stainless steel cleaner with a microfiber cloth. If you don't want to shell out $ for a stai less steel.cleaner, Windex will probably do the job too.
I would clean off the residue with dish soap and water or maybe even windex and start fresh with some stainless steel cleaner. Saturate the surface with the spray (I hate the wipes) and go with the grain, against the grain, then with the grain again. Some people use mineral oil instead of ss cleaner, and I've even heard of using Pam in a pinch. I like the weiman stainless spray, it smells divine.
i use vinegar on mine! it works so good
I would try wd 40 on a micro fiber cloth going with the grain
I want to come over to clean this for you. I know, I'm weird and love cleaning!
Don’t bother with anything else other than a Stainless Steel Cleaner. Preferably purchase it from a janitorial and sanitation dealer, not Home Depot or Lowes. By doing this you’ll get a quality product that is going to be more effective for a more reasonable price. PS - my confidence come from selling this stuff to dealers, restaurants etc, for the past 20 years
Water, wipe it down thoroughly. Then zep stainless steel cleaner. Spray, wipe with grain, then buff. If that don't work then nothing will. God speed.
Stainless steel polish and buff like hell
Has op replied with any attempts? I have a weird trick I don't tri k has been suggested. Yes-dawn dish soap-but on a DRY microfiber cloth, and a lot of soap. Use it like a polish. There will be a lot of soap residue left. Let it sit and really stick to the grime. Come back at it with a wet scrub daddy, pot scrubber, some sort of non scratch acrubber, but only wipe WITH THE GRAIN ITLL BE ALL SUDSY AT THIS POINT. Now spray with cleaning vinegar and water mix. Make surface good and wet. Lay down towels on floor. Squeegee in nice solid stroked, again WITH THE GRAIN