Tips to Clean Stain on Stainless Steel

As its name suggests, stainless steel has the advantage of not rusting. This allows it to be washed and rinsed with clear water. However, stainless steel does not support certain detergents and is easily scratched. Here are some tips on how to clean a stain on stainless steel.

Be careful not to use bleach, abrasive sponge, and scouring powder on stainless steel.

Removing DIY and gardening stains from stainless steel

Oil paint stains

To remove an oil paint stain from a stainless steel sink, for example:

• Remove excess paint with the tip of a knife.
• Gently apply to the remaining stain with a cloth soaked in white spirit.
• Rinse with clean water.
• Wipe off to avoid white streaks.
• Polish with a chamois if the stainless steel has lost its shine.

Caution: do not rub too hard to avoid scratching the stainless steel.

Water-based paint stains (acrylic)

To remove a water-based paint stain from stainless steel:

• Soap the stain thoroughly.
• Scrub with the green side of the sponge if necessary.
• Rinse thoroughly with cold water.
• Wipe with a clean cloth to remove the water.

Grease stains

Dab the stain with a cotton ball soaked in white spirit to clean a grease stain on stainless steel.

Tar/oil/fuel stains

To remove a tar stain from stainless steel flooring:

• Scrape the surface with a spoon.
• Remove the remaining dirt with a cloth soaked in tar remover.

Note: This type of detergent is available at auto repair shops.

Mold and mildew stains

Stainless steel does not show signs of mildew.

Resin stains

To remove a resin stain from stainless steel:

• Wipe with a wet cloth.
• Rub with a cloth dipped in a bit of turpentine.
• Rinse.

Grass stain

To remove grass stains from a stainless steel pan, for example:

• Rub the stain with an iron straw coated with rubbing alcohol.
• Remove it under a cold water tap.

Mud stain

To remove a mud stain from stainless steel, soap the stain.

Gasoline stains

Dab the stain with a cloth dampened with white spirit to remove a gasoline stain from stainless steel.

Mechanical oil stains

To remove an engine grease stain from stainless steel:

• Smear the stain with a cloth containing diluted clay stone.
• Wipe with a damp cloth.
• Restore the shine to the stainless steel with a cloth dipped in sweet almond milk.

Moisture stains

To remove a white stain on stainless steel:

• Regularly wipe off the water deposited on the surface.
• Rub the stains with hot vinegar.

Glue stains

To remove a glue stain on stainless steel:

• Pour baking soda into the area.
• Wait a few minutes.
• Rinse with clean water.

Rust stains

To remove a rust stain on stainless steel, polish the stain with a cloth containing lemon juice and salt.

Soot stains

To remove a soot stain from stainless steel:

• Dilute liquid scouring powder in water.
• Rub the stain with a sponge soaked in this solution.
• Removing food stains from stainless steel
• Red wine stains

To remove a red wine stain from stainless steel, polish the surface with a cloth soaked in dishwashing liquid.

White wine stains

To get rid of a white wine stain on stainless steel:

• Scrub the dirt with a cloth containing an all-surface detergent.
• Rinse.

Sparkling wine stains

A champagne stain on stainless steel? Rub the stain with a cloth dampened with soap and water.

Soda stains

To remove a soda stain from stainless steel:

• Sponge the liquid.
• Wipe off.

Coffee stains

To remove a coffee stain from stainless steel, rub it with a wet cloth.

Tea stains

To remove a tea stain from stainless steel, polish the stain with soda ash on a cloth.

Edible oil stains

To remove vegetable oil stains from stainless steel, sponge the greasy surface.

Cherry stains

To clean a cherry stain from stainless steel:

• Rub the stain with a cloth dipped in baby oil.
• Sponge.

Other effective detergents: lemon oil and olive oil.

Tomato stains

To remove a tomato stain from stainless steel:

• Swipe with a sponge.
• Wipe well.

Blueberry stains

To remove a blueberry stain from stainless steel:

• Rub the stain with a cloth soaked in hot vinegar.
• Rinse.

Grease stains from food and butter

To remove a grease stain from stainless steel, wipe the stain with a cloth and water.

Strawberry stains

A strawberry stain on stainless steel will disappear with a damp sponge.

Raspberry stains

To remove a raspberry stain from a stainless steel sink, rub the stain with a damp toothbrush until it disappears completely.

Chewing gum stains

To remove a chewing gum stain from stainless steel:

• Apply a freezer bag filled with ice cubes to the area.
• Scrape with a spoon.
• Finish with a cotton ball soaked in heated vinegar.

Chocolate stains

To eradicate a chocolate stain on stainless steel, soap the stain.

Milk stains

Remind the surface with a damp cloth to remove milk stains from stainless steel.

Curry sauce stains

To remove curry sauce stains on stainless steel, wipe the dirt with a cloth soaked in soda crystals and water.

Salad dressing stains

Wipe with a sponge soaked in heated water to remove salad dressing stains from stainless steel.

Asian sauce stains

To remove a nuoc mam stain on stainless steel, polish the stain with a brush moistened with dishwashing liquid.

Mayonnaise stains

A mayonnaise stain on stainless steel? Rub the stain with a damp cloth containing soap.

Grape stains

To remove a grape stain from stainless steel, soap the stain well.

For best results:

• Rub with a cotton ball moistened with sunflower oil.
• Wipe with a damp cloth.

Caramel stains

To remove a caramel stain from stainless steel, polish the surface with an abrasive sponge dipped in hot vinegar.

If traces remain:

• Add dishwashing liquid to the sponge.
• Wash with clean water.
• Wipe with a clean cloth.

Honey stains

To remove a honey stain from stainless steel, wipe the dirt with a cloth soaked in soapy water.

If the stain is embedded, dab a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Vinegar stains

To remove a vinegar mark from stainless steel, wipe the surface with a sponge soaked in warm water.

If any marks remain, soap them up.

Beet stains

To clean a beet mark on stainless steel:

• Sponge the stain.
• Wipe with a dry cloth.

Mustard stains

To remove a mustard stain from stainless steel:

• Scrub with a sponge and a little water.
• Remove the moisture with a cloth.

Egg stains

To remove an egg stain from stainless steel, treat the stain with a cloth soaked in an all-surface cleaner.

If the stain has had time to dry, rub it with a sponge containing water sprinkled with table salt.

Turmeric stains

To remove a saffron stain from stainless steel, rub the stain with a cloth soaked in dishwashing liquid.

Another effective detergent is soap.

Beer stains

To remove a beer stain from stainless steel, soap the stained area.

Carrot stains

To remove a carrot stain from stainless steel:

• Dab the stain with a tissue dipped in rubbing alcohol.
• Rinse and dry.

Spinach stains

To remove a spinach mark from stainless steel:

• Scrub the surface with a cotton ball moistened with diluted bicarbonate.
• Sponge.
• Polish with a chamois.

Cleaning stains from household products on stainless steel

Wax stains

To remove a shoe polish mark from stainless steel:

• Scrape the stain with an abrasive sponge.
• Squeeze a lemon.
• Sprinkle the juice with salt.
• Blot the remaining dirt with a cloth soaked in the mixture.

Bleach Stains

Dab the stain with a cotton cloth dampened with methylated spirits or vinegar to remove a bleach mark from stainless steel.

Note: stainless steel will always have a discoloration mark.

Removing organic stains from stainless steel

Blood stains

To remove a blood stain from stainless steel, rub the stain with a cloth soaked in soapy water.

Urine stains

To get rid of a urine stain on stainless steel:

• Scrub the surface with a brush soaked in vinegar diluted in warm water.
• Wash with clean water.

Feces stains

To remove a feces stain on stainless steel:

• Actively scrub the dirt with a sponge of soapy water.
• Rinse.
• To remove the odor, pour baking soda.

Fly droppings stains

Fly droppings on stainless steel? Dab the stain with a tissue dipped in lemon juice.

Insect stains

To remove insect stains from stainless steel:

• Soap the stain using soap.
• Rinse.

Bird droppings stains

To remove bird droppings from stainless steel, polish the surface with a cloth soaked in baking soda diluted with warm water.

Vomit stains

To remove a vomit stain from stainless steel:

• Scrub the area with an abrasive sponge dampened with heated vinegar.
• Sponge.

Removing cosmetic and health product stains from stainless steel

Toothpaste Stains

To remove a toothpaste stain from stainless steel, apply diluted vinegar to the stain with a used toothbrush and scrub.

Make-up stains

To remove a make-up stain stuck on stainless steel, apply a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol.

Eosin stains

To clean an eosin stain on stainless steel:

• Pour a special stainless steel stain remover on the stained area.
• Rinse with clear water.

Foundation stains

To remove a foundation stain from stainless steel:

• Rub the stain with a cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol.
• Don’t forget to rinse!

Nail polish stains

To remove a nail polish stain on stainless steel:

• Spray the stain with a cloth soaked in acetone.
• Another effective detergent is amyl acetate.

Cleaning stationery and decorative stains on stainless steel

Candle stains

To remove a candle stain from stainless steel:

• Scrub the stain with a steel wool pad.
• Rub out the remaining stain with a cloth soaked in ash (wood or cigarette) and olive oil.
• Clean the treated surface thoroughly and dry.

Stains of clay or modeling clay

To remove a modeling clay stain on stainless steel, rub the stain with a brush soaked in soap and water.

Ink stains from felt-tip pens and markers

To remove pen ink stains on stainless steel, dab a cotton ball dipped in white spirit on the stain.

Permanent ink ballpoint pen stains

To remove a pen stain on stainless steel, rub the stain with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol.

Other effective detergents: lemon, acetone, and methylated spirits.

Fluorescent or highlighter stains

To remove a fluorescent stain on stainless steel:

• Apply stainless steel stain remover to the stain with a cloth.
• Don’t forget to rinse!
• Another effective detergent is white spirit.

Removing various stains from stainless steel

Cigarette/Burn and Nicotine Stains

To remove a nicotine stain from stainless steel, rub the stain with a cotton ball containing a non-abrasive scouring cream.

Stains of unknown origin

To get rid of a stain of unknown origin on stainless steel:

• Scrub the dirt with a cloth soaked in a cold cigarette or fireplace ash.
• Rub with a wet cloth, then a dry cloth.
• Another effective detergent is baking soda.

List of detergents for cleaning stains on stainless steel

 Soap

 White vinegar

 Soap

 Rubbing alcohol

 White spirit

 Turpentine essence

 Alcohol at 90

 De-tarring agent

 Steel wool/iron wool brushes

 Jar of clay stone

 Bottle of sweet almond milk for the body

 Scrubbing powder

 Lemon

 Table salt

 Dishwashing liquid

 Soda ash

 Bottle of lemon oil

 Extra green olive oil

 Special stainless steel stain remover

 Acetone

 General cleaning product

 Bag of soda crystals