Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Rub oil on the sticker
• Tips
• Warnings

Stainless steel is often used to make and coat attractive kitchen appliances. If you have something that is made of stainless steel, you know that it is not really "smudge-free", but rather holds fingerprints and dirt more easily than other materials. Glue residue can be one of the hardest things to remove from stainless steel, as scraping can damage the surface. Most glues are oil soluble, but not water soluble, so water based detergents will not work well. You can remove a sticker with cooking oil and clean and polish the surface with vinegar.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Rub oil on the sticker

1. First, remove as much of the sticker as possible. Before rubbing oil on the sticker, try to remove as much of the sticker as possible while it is still dry. Using your fingers, peel the sticker away from the edges and pull it up slowly and evenly. Keep doing this until you can't remove anything from the sticker.
   • If the sticker starts to tear, get a new edge and try again.
2. Cover your workspace in newspaper. You may not be able to do this in all cases, such as when trying to get a sticker off a refrigerator. However, if you're dealing with a table or counter, try to avoid spills as oil can stain some surfaces.
3. Place the stainless steel object flat on your workspace, if possible. This will prevent your oil from spilling. Be careful when placing the object. If it is an appliance, such as a toaster, then you have to be careful that it does not balance on something. If this is the case, it may shift while you are working on it, causing oil to spill.
4. Wipe the surface completely dry with a cloth. Make sure that no water is left on the metal as this can cause stains.

Tips

• Clean stainless steel often to avoid darkening and corrosion from dirt, salt, milk or acidic foods.
• Always wipe stainless steel dry to avoid mineral stains or marks on surfaces.
• You can remove sticky residue with WD-40 - follow the same steps as when using cooking oil.

Warnings

• Never use steel wool or scouring pads on stainless steel surfaces.
• Avoid corrosive solutions, such as benzene cleaners or bleach, on stainless steel.