Stainless steel is a durable material with a stylish finish that feels right at home in the kitchen. Unfortunately, it gets easily stained by fingers, grease and spills. While many specialized solutions are designed for cleaning stainless steel, you can easily replace these with natural products and good old – fashioned homemade recipes. Here are a few of them.

1. Protect the Stainless Steel with Beeswax.

The best way to preserve the appearance of your stainless steel range hood is to coat it with a protective layer. Apply a small amount of beeswax on the surface using a chamois or soft cloth. The product will prevent dirt from becoming embedde d in the metal and act as an additional barrier against scratches.

Understanding Stainless Steel Grades

Most range hoods are made from grade 430 stainless steel. At Aroua, we prefer sanitary grade 304, which contains 18% more chrome and 8% more nickel. Our range hoods thus include less iron, making them naturally more resistant to corrosion.

2. Water and White Vinegar for Everyday Cleaning

Prepare a homemade all – purpose cleaner by diluting white vinegar with hot water in a 1:1 ratio. Dampen a cloth or sp ray directly on the range hood (taking care not to spray on light bulbs and electronics), rub gently and wipe with a microfibre cloth .

NEVER apply pure vinegar to stainless steel, as this substance can damage the finish beyond repair. Depending on available products , you could also use hot water and mild soap or baking soda diluted in hot water. Scrub with a non – abrasive sponge or an old soft – bristled toothbrush to remove stubborn dirt.

Never Use These Products on Stainless Steel

Stainless steel may be extremely durable, but it’s still vulnerable to some overly concentrated or aggressive chemicals. Avoid cleaning your range hood using any abrasive, acidic or stain removal products such as:

• Antiscalants
• Powders
• Scraper sponges, steel wool and other scouring pads
• Bleach (or stain remover containing bleach)

If you mistakenly apply such a product to stainless steel, immediately rinse the surface with plenty of water and allow it to dry.

3. Oil and Lemon to Remove Fingerprints

Lemon is handy in the kitchen – even for cleaning purposes, thanks to its antibacterial properties. To freshen up your stainless steel cooker hood and remove stubborn fingerprints, mix oil and lemon. Rub the surface with a soft cloth and leave to dry.

4. Newspaper for Polishing Stainless Steel

This is a surprising life hack that has worked for decades! Rub a sheet of newspaper over the surfaces to be polished in a circular motion. The coarse fibres of newsprint are actually very fine compared to most fabrics and deliver a nice finish. As soon as your sheet becomes too worn, recycle it and use a fresh one.