The good news: It’s probably not broken, and it won’t cost you much to fix. Here are some DIY ways to fix scratches on stainless steel appliances.
I love the look of stainless steel appliances, but keeping them shiny can be a challenge, especially since I often hit them with rough objects. In fact, the first time I tried to remove a scratch from stainless steel, I used a scrub pad that was too harsh and ended up making the scratch worse.
But now that I know the right techniques and materials, most scratches are actually easy to repair. Here are some tips, compiled by five experts.
Sometimes scratches on stainless steel can be removed. Shallow scratches can be sanded down or made less noticeable, but deeper scratches cannot be removed.
There are a number of non-abrasive cleaners and kits designed specifically to remove scratches from stainless steel. Here’s how to use them:
“When filling deep grooves, always move the mat in the direction of the grain,” says Fahad Javaid, general manager of Zanduco Restaurant Equipment Supply. “While larger projects may take some time, avoid circular motions as this can cause discoloration of the unit.”
Alicia Sokolowski, president of AspenClean, says that because these products are specifically designed for stainless steel, they are the preferred method for regular maintenance and scratch removal. But they are more expensive than home remedies.
For deeper scratches, some of our experts recommend using Scratch-B Gone or Scratch Pro scratch removal kits, which come with polish and sandpaper in different grits. Be sure to follow all instructions included with the kit.
“It can remove both light and deep scratches and restore shine, but it also takes time and effort and may not be effective in removing all types of scratches,” said Shlomo Cherniak, owner of Cherniak Home Services.
Toothpaste is a popular DIY remedy. This method works best for very small scratches and routine maintenance, but it’s not as effective for deep or large scratches, Sokolowski says.
Test the product on a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure it won’t do more harm than good for your particular surface. “Many people recommend a combination of toothpaste and olive oil, but I find that it causes more scratching,” says Dela Gomasi, managing director of MaidForYou.
Baking soda is slightly abrasive and is another popular DIY method for removing scratches from stainless steel. Here’s how to use it:
“This method is environmentally friendly, gentle on surfaces and inexpensive,” Sokolowski said. However, “it does require patience and may not work on deep scratches.”
Javaid says an alternative is to use non-gel toothpaste mixed with baking soda and water to form a paste.
It’s a quick, easy, and eco-friendly way to preserve the natural look of scratches, Sokolowski says, but it only covers scratches, not removes them, and only works on lightly scratched areas.
When his team scratches stainless steel appliances, Gomasi often turns to fine-grit sandpaper. “To remove scratches, we typically use 800-grit sandpaper and gently rub against the grain,” he says. “This needs to be done on the entire stainless steel surface.
Javaid says soaking 400-grit sandpaper in water can also help, but he warns that no matter what sanding method you use, you risk scratching the surface even more.
If the scratches on a stainless steel surface are too deep, the best solution is to replace the panel or component of the appliance that has them, Gomasi says.
Regular cleaning and polishing are important to maintain the condition of stainless steel and can hide many minor scuffs and scratches.
Take your time cleaning. “Let the detergent or baking soda and vinegar mixture sit on the burnt-on food or residue,” says Javaid. “Once the detergent has worked, you can easily wipe away the dirt without leaving any scratches.”
“Used microfiber cloths can pick up tiny particles of dust and sand that can cause scratches when rubbed against the surface of stainless steel appliances,” says Gomasi. “We found that using a new cloth caused much less damage than using an old one.”
Yes, WD-40 can reduce fine scratches and add shine, but it may not be suitable for all finishes, says Pascal. To avoid damage, test the product in an inconspicuous area first, then spray a small amount onto a soft cloth and wipe in the direction of the grain.
“WD-40 is more effective for polishing, and toothpaste is best for removing very fine scratches,” says Cherinak.
Yes, but test on a small area first to make sure you don’t damage the surface. Use a non-gel toothpaste as it is slightly abrasive.
“WD-40 and toothpaste are great for removing light scratches and brightening stainless steel, but their effectiveness on deeper scratches is limited, and neither will permanently remove scratches from stainless steel,” says Sokolowski.
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