If you research the Internet on how to clean stainless steel appliances, there is a good chance you’ll find recommendations for the use of Baby Oil products. However, we have been advised by a respected oven cleaning company that this is actually not good practice.

Why? Because the oil does not clean the appliance, it merely coats it, which gives the appearance that the finish has been restored. So if the appliance looks great, why is this a bad idea? Over a period of time, the oil coating will attract dust to it which can cause discolouring and there is a risk that it may develop a brownish smear.

So how can you care for your appliance safely?  Routine cleaning can be accomplished by using warm water and a cloth. This is the least risky option for cleaning stainless steel. Dry with a towel or cloth to prevent water spots. This is really important, since minerals in water can leave marks on this surface. Wipe in the directions of the polish lines for best and most beautiful results. Microfibre cleaning cloths can be a great option to use when cleaning stainless steel because they do a great job of absorbing all of the water without scratching the surface.

If you feel that you really must use oil, as the appliance is old and you feel that this is the only way to restore it, then please do not under any circumstances use a vegetable-based oil. It must be mineral-based.

Email Mum’s Policy – We will not use oil products on stainless steel unless the client requests this in writing, and supplies the relevant product. We will request additional visit time if necessary to try to restore the appliance as best we can to its previous condition, using the safer Microfibre cleaning cloths and water method.