Stainless steel is resilient and designed to withstand constant usage.
However, it’s also possible for the stainless steel to look unclean after a while. In a situation such as this, it becomes important to use a cleaning agent to take care of the surface.
When the cleaning agent is used, it should improve the surface. Unfortunately, this does not always go according to plan and that is when things spiral out of control leading to an unclean stainless steel surface.
You will have a situation where the cleaner ruined the stainless steel.
If a cleaner ruined the stainless steel, the best solution is to wipe the surface with a clean cloth, apply a small amount of baking soda, let it sit, and then buff the area with a non-abrasive cloth. In some cases, the stainless steel might be unsalvageable and will need to be replaced.
Some cleaning agents are harsh due to the chemicals in them. You have to be wary of what you are using.
If the cleaner has ruined the stainless steel, you will immediately want to start wiping and use baking soda. It’s your only chance of saving the look of the stainless steel moving forward.
If you are too slow, it will be too late and the stainless steel will be ruined for good.
This guide is going to show what you have to do when a cleaner has ruined the stainless steel.
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How To Fix Stainless Steel Ruined By Cleaner
1. Wipe The Surface With A Clean Cloth
When learning how to restore a stainless steel finish, it’s important to remove any visible signs of the cleaner.
You will do this by targeting the residue that’s left behind.
A clean cloth should suffice during the process. You are going to start by working in a circular motion and rubbing it into the surface with a clean cloth.
Continue to do this until you have covered the entire surface and made sure it’s in line with what you want.

2. Apply Baking Soda
You are now going to use baking soda.
Baking soda is key if a cleaner ruined a stainless steel fridge or any other appliance. The baking soda is going to help loosen the residue and also help reclaim some of the natural aesthetic that a stainless steel surface might have had.
You don’t want to rush the process.
Make sure to target the bothersome spots. If it’s the entire surface then you will want to cover all of it.
3. Wait 5-10 Minutes
If the stainless steel finish is coming off, you might be worried it’s impossible to salvage the appliance or surface.
Indeed, stainless steel is not easy to salvage at the best of times. Once it is ruined by a cleaner, you are going to have to hope the cleaning agent didn’t settle in too much.
With baking soda, you are going to have to wait a few minutes for it to work.
It should take at least 5-10 minutes for the baking soda to settle in and begin working on the residue.

4. Buff The Spots With A Non-Abrasive Cloth
The last step is to begin buffing the spots with a non-abrasive cloth.
Make sure it is non-abrasive or you are going to create new surface-related issues on the stainless steel. This is why going with a clean, soft cloth is mandatory.
Once you have the cloth ready to go, you are going to begin to buff the spots one by one. This will include working in a circular motion and continuing to target the spots that were ruined by the cleaner.
If the surface cleans up, this means the baking soda is working.
Please note that some cases are too extreme and the baking soda won’t take hold. This is when you will know the solution won’t work and the surface is far too damaged.
Final Thoughts
These are the steps you should account for if a cleaner has ruined the stainless steel.
If a cleaner has ruined the stainless steel, start by wiping the surface using a clean cloth. Next, apply a small amount of baking soda to the surface, wait 5-10 minutes, and buff the spots using a non-abrasive cloth.
Once again, it’s common for stainless steel to get ruined to the point of no return. This is when baking soda won’t help.
However, it is still recommended to give it a try as there are some situations where the cleaner didn’t take hold and the baking soda will work.
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