What to do about stainless steel appliances (I hate them!!!)

2 years ago

My husband and I just bought our first home and we're crazy enough to do a 203k rehab loan, so we're in the middle of lots of house projects! Out of all the crazy, outdated, and outright dangerous things we bought into with this house, they previous owners had relatively new and nice stainless steel appliances. Everyone who has seen the house thus far has told me how lucky I am for this but truth be told I hate them! We have three going on four small kids and I actually cook all the time, therefore am cleaning up all the time too. I am loathing moving in and having to deal with the mess that the stainless steel will create. I am honestly not a huge fan of the look of them either for my taste, but I would deal with it if that was the only issue. The combo of not liking the look AND it being a pain to clean makes me dislike it more. Is there some magical solution to this problem, or even a "cover" I can get?

I ask because I have seen people covering their "outdated" black and white appliances with stick on skins that mimic the look of stainless steel... is there a reverse product of this? I am dreading this. Or just deciding to not care and succumb to the smudged "lived in" look for the next 15 years.

Featured Answer

daisychain Zn3b

2 years ago

I'm thinking about using removable wallpaper on the white fridge at our lake house. These pics are my inspiration, but there are about a billion different patterns or plain black board.

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Comments (10)

Aglitter
2 years ago
You can get stainless steel topical treatments to help cut back on smudging, but ultimately like everything else in a working kitchen, you will need to use a soft, microfiber rag to polish on occasion. I would pay down some of the existing debt before doing any appliance shopping.
Bridget Herman thanked Aglitter
K R
2 years ago
Yes, I “coat” mine with Wegman’s SS spray and it definitely helps with upkeep.
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I personally think of mixing appliances like I think of mixing jewelry. Given the right setting, it could work, but usually... usually... to get a cohesive look, you don't wear a gold necklace, one silver earring, one copper earring and a rainbow bracelet together. You find the things that match and can pull together a whole look. Usually.... usually.... mismatched appliances... to ME.... look like someone is in the middle of a reno, or like me... had to buy a new fridge and DW (stainless), but hasn't gotten around to or hasn't the money to purchase a new microwave or stove. In the big picture, kitchens don't have to be magazine perfect. But usually.... if someone does a reno, there is a plan for everything to flow together. If function is as important as looks, and for many, it is more important, then by all means, get what works or is affordable when you can get it. But most on this forum or most who redo a kitchen, it is based at least partially on getting a new look. And like jewelry or outfits or whatever, one usually... usually... tries to coordinate. And none of the above is a slam. Just an observation. As for "tacky", I do use that word a lot, and I am WAY past high school. I've seen tacky. It does exist. I haven't seen it on this forum, though. But if I do, I probably won't say anything ;)
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missb_remodeling
2 years ago
Wegman's SS spray and a carbon cloth after it's dry to buff it - generally need to only do that once a week.
TBL from CT
2 years ago
+1 for the aerosol Weimans. Worked on low end bad SS, cleans and polishes so it somewhat prevents some headache. You may have to do a thorough cleaning first, then it will be a bit protective.

Hate the idea of aerosol, but it lasts a long time, using a very small amount and not much elbow grease. Used it with a simplehuman mitt designed for SS.

Not all SS have smudgy finishes, hope yours are a nice quality. Don't worry, many modern appliances will break at around 7 years old!
Bridget Herman
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Thank you, I will look into that! The good news is aside from the mortgage we are actually debt free and cash flowing everything, but replacing appliances for a purely aesthetic reason is very far down the lsit of things we would do. Plenty of more urgent updates that are *needs* for the house as the previous owners neglected the property for years. But I look forward to the day they start dying! ;)
roarah
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I just use a spray bottle of water and a microfiber cloth if I see prints. The polishes made my appliances harder to maintain.
Chris
2 years ago
A damp microfiber cloth is all I’ve needed too.
highdesertowl
2 years ago
If your SS appliances are average mid-range brands, no need to worry about them lasting 15 years; more like 4-8 in a busy kitchen-- if you are lucky :(
theresa21
2 years ago
Damp microfiber or white/green cloth followed by a dry toweling if necessary. I had white appliances before and was very hesitant to get SS this time, but it hasn't been as bad as I thought. I know you didn't ask, but I love no-knobs induction for easy cleanup. I don't imagine I will ever go back to gas, electric or an induction with knobs. I also prefer a DW with a bar handle to minimizing fingerprints on the door.

What to do about stainless steel appliances (I hate them!!!)

daisychain Zn3b

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Aglitter

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What to do about stainless steel appliances (I hate them!!!)

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