How to Clean Black Appliances

Co-authored by Raymond Chiu

Last Updated: November 24, 2021 References

Black appliances have a beautiful glossy appearance. That look, however, rarely lasts. Black surfaces pick up fingerprints easily and, even after cleaning, pick up streaks that seem impossible to remove. The key to keeping black appliances looking good is to carefully buff them after cleaning.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Cleaning Your Appliance

1
Dampen a terry cloth towel. Terry cloth towels will be gentle on your appliance. Wet them and then squeeze out excess moisture.^{[1]
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- Terry cloth is the fabric used for most bath towels, bath robes, and slippers, but because of its soft, absorbent qualities it can be great for non-streak cleaning as well. Terry cloth towels are plush and soft.^{[2]
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2
Apply an ammonium-based cleaner or vinegar solution to the towel. Apply a cleaner to the towel. For store bought solutions, use an ammonium-based cleaner. This includes most glass and window cleaners, multipurpose cleaners, and oven cleaners.^{[3]
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- For a homemade vinegar solution, mix one part vinegar with one part water.^{[4]
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3
Wipe down the appliance. Take your towel and wipe down the appliance. This will sanitize the appliance and remove dirt, but probably leave streaks. You will likely need to perform this cleaning frequently.^{[5]
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- Buffing immediately after cleaning will remove the remaining streaks.
4
Pick up tough stains with gentle cleaners. To protect against scratches, never use steel wool or abrasive scrubbing pads to pick up tough stains. Magic Eraser is good at picking up tough stains, without leaving scratches.^{[6]
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- For a homemade alternative, try mixing baking soda with a couple drops of liquid dish soap. Apply this solution to an old toothbrush and use it to scrub away tough stains.^{[7]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Buffing the Appliance

1
Set aside fabric towels for buffing. Ideally, you should have certain towels that you only use for buffing. This will prevent them from accumulating cleaning products, making them more effective at removing streaks. Wash them separately from your other towels, without bleach.^{[8]
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- Consider making all your buffing towels a single color to make them easier to recognize.
- A simple fabric towel should suffice. Although some people recommend microfiber, a basic towel made of cloth should work in most cases.^{[9]
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2
Clean before buffing. If you do not wipe your appliances down with a cleaning solution before every buffing, your buffing towels will accumulate dirt and become ineffective. Always be sure that there is no dirt or grime left on the appliance before you buff it.^{[10]
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3
Wipe the appliance down with a clean, dry buffing towel. Do not wet the towel or apply cleaner. A dry towel should easily pick up the streaks. Gently wipe down the entire surface before the cleaner dries.^{[11]
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- If you allow the cleaner to dry on before buffing it, you will find it harder to pick up streaks that have dried on.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do I make a DIY appliance cleaner?

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Raymond Chiu is the Director of Operations for MaidSailors.com, a residential and commercial cleaning service based in New York City that provides home and office cleaning services at affordable prices. He has a Bachelors in Business Administration and Management from Baruch College.

Raymond Chiu

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

In a spray bottle, mix water, vinegar, and a few drops each of a nice-smelling essential oil and dishwashing liquid. Spray the cleaner on the appliance, using one cloth to wipe it down and another to dry and buff.
Question

Can you use soap and water on appliances?

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Raymond Chiu is the Director of Operations for MaidSailors.com, a residential and commercial cleaning service based in New York City that provides home and office cleaning services at affordable prices. He has a Bachelors in Business Administration and Management from Baruch College.

Raymond Chiu

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

Yes! Use warm water mixed with a few drops of dishwashing liquid for a gentle alternative to cleaning solutions. Dip a microfiber cloth in soapy water, use the cloth to clean your appliances, and then immediately buff it dry with a second cloth. Remember to always wipe with the grain of the appliance.