How to remove water stains from stainless steel

4 years ago

Hello. We have a few water stains on our stainless steel fridge and it is very unsightly!!! I have tried everything and nothing is working. What have you guys used and gotten success with?

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kaseki

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Bar Keeper's Friend wiped with the grain may work, and probably should be tried first. It may have difficulty with coarsely grooved brushed stainless.

Phosphoric acid based cleaners used by the auto body repair trade will clean most steels of almost any stain resulting from a chemical reaction with the steel. If used, religious adherence to safety precautions is advised. I used some to remove finger prints from a hood extension that seemed impervious to other approaches. And it works for auto repair on regular steel as a first step in a series of passivation stages.

For a weaker solution, try Coca Cola.

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Comments (7)

WalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a
4 years ago
I have the same problem, Christyna. Hope someone pipes in with good advice for this problem.
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dadoes
4 years ago
I use Bar Keeper's Friend on my SS refrigerator, dishwasher, range, and sink to deal with fingerprints and water/mineral stains. It contains oxalic acid which chemically refreshes the surface layer. Rub lightly with the grain and rinse twice. Others here have advised against it for the risk of scratching. Don't use it on black stainless and other not-real-stainless finishes.
User
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
BKF, then keep it cleaned with Pledge. That puts a barrier on steel. All you’ll need to do is a microfiber cloth wipe as daily maintenance. Pledge once a week. .
Christyne Pochron
Original Author
4 years ago
I read on BFK’s website that it is not safe for stainless steel. Could take the finish off?
chocolatebunny123
4 years ago
You did not mention what you have tried, but rubbing alcohol sprayed on a microfiber cloth works well for me. We have hard water and get dribbles from the water dispenser on my refrigerator.

For my stainless sink sometimes the alcohol isn't enough. I find that Mrs Meyers Clean Day Surface Scrub works pretty well. I believe the active ingredient is peroxide. I also alternate with Weinman's Stainless Steel spray and wipes.
dadoes
4 years ago
Christyne Ponchron: "I read on BFK’s website that it is not safe for stainless steel. Could take the finish off?"

This may be referring to the "fake" finishes such as black stainless steel which has a polymer (plastic) coating that can be easily scratched and damaged.

Stainless steel itself is an alloy of steel and chromium, with carbon, silicon, and manganese, and sometimes other metals such as nickel also added.

The chromium component causes a very thin layer of oxidation on the surface, effectively preventing further corrosion or rusting.

The oxalic acid in BKF removes the oxidation layer, which quickly reforms itself to a fresh surface. That's the point of it.

BKF is mildly abrasive so a highly-polished stainless steel could be scuffed by aggressive rubbing. Rubbing with the polish marks (grain) helps avoid the risk.

I used oily polishes for some years but they caused various degrees of smudging and smears. Initial use of BKF removed all that oily mess to a fresh gleaming finish, with reuse of it only as needed (not much) to remove water drips, fingerprints, and mineral residue (kitchen sink, hard water).