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How do you remove small scratches from stainless steel?

Author

Emily Sparks

Published Jan 25, 2026

You can use mineral oil, vegetable oil, or even olive oil. Rub the cloth against the steel, in the direction of the grain, to polish the metal. Add more oil as necessary. Continue rubbing until the entire surface has been polished.

Does toothpaste remove scratches from stainless steel?

Apply the toothpaste to the toothbrush, and work the solution back and forth over the scratch following the grain. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away the toothpaste and see if the scratch is gone. Repeat the process until satisfied and apply a light coat of stainless steel polish or olive oil.

How do you buff out scratches on stainless steel?

Non-gel toothpaste can be used as-is, and baking soda can be mixed with water until a pasty consistency is reached.

  1. Make sure the surface is completely clean of dirt, dust, and food particles.
  2. Then dab a small amount of the compound onto a microfiber cloth and rub it continuously over the scratch.

Can baking soda remove scratches from stainless steel?

Baking soda is quite effective in removing light scratches on stainless steel. It has a powdery texture that serves as a gentle abrasive. Add water and baking soda to make a paste, put it to the surface of the metal and scrub lightly. Then wipe off the baking soda and wipe the surface with a damp cloth.

Does vinegar remove scratches from stainless steel?

For best results, spray the surface of the metal with several sprays of vinegar, and then pull out another clean microfiber cloth to wipe the metal. The vinegar will clean the surface and remove all traces of other compounds and cleaners. Once the stainless steel is clean and dry, start polishing.

16 related questions found

Does olive oil remove scratches from stainless steel?

Applying olive oil can help eliminate small scratches on your stainless steel sink. Start by applying olive oil to a paper towel or soft cloth, rub it on the scratch, and wipe the area dry. You can repeat these steps multiple times to minimize the appearance of any small scratches.

Can Bar Keepers Friend remove scratches from stainless steel?

Use a non-abrasive compound such as Bar Keeper's Friend or Revere Stainless Steel and Copper Cleaner. (In a pinch, you can even use whitening toothpaste). If you're using a powdered stainless steel scratch removal compound, add enough water—a few drops at a time—to create a paste roughly the consistency of toothpaste.

Can you fix scratches on stainless steel appliances?

Stainless steel is a great look until you scratch it. Then it looks awful. But you can “sand” out the scratches with sandpaper (400 to 600 grit) and a sanding block, an abrasive pad, or with a rubbing compound. Or buy a stainless steel repair kit and get everything you need.

Can you buff out scratches on stainless steel fridge?

Stainless Steel Scratch Removal Compound: Add water to create a paste. It should look somewhat like toothpaste. If using a cream-based compound, apply it to a microfiber cloth, rubbing it back and forth along the grain. Once the scratch is buffed out, wipe with the cloth to remove any residue.

Can you use steel wool on stainless?

Don't Use Steel Wool or Steel Brushes

Steel wool and steel brushes leave little particles on the surface of the stainless steel. These particles eventually rust and can stain the surface of the steel. Steel wool and brushes are also abrasive and can scratch the surface of your stainless steel.

How do I remove scratches from my LG stainless steel refrigerator?

Cooking Appliance - Scratches

  1. Mix. Pour 2 ounces of water into a spray bottle. ...
  2. Spray. Spray the vinegar solution onto the scratched area of your LG Product. ...
  3. Polish. Find the natural polishing lines of the surface of the stainless steel. ...
  4. Wipe. Wipe the stainless steel with a dry cloth. ...
  5. Paint. If needed, use touch up paint.

Does stainless steel scratch easily?

The answer is yes. Stainless Steel will always scratch and because of the directional polishing marks on many models the scratching will show up quite dramatically initially.

What kind of toothpaste removes scratches?

But buffing out car scratches with any old toothpaste will only make the situation even worse. It is always recommended to use 'whitening' toothpaste to remove scratches from your car. 'Whitening' toothpaste works best because it contains small, barely perceptible abrasives.

How do you get scratches out of stainless steel splashback?

To reduce scratches on stainless steel, apply a fine layer of toothpaste with a soft cloth in the direction that your custom stainless steel panel has been brushed. Leave to dry then rinse with soapy water before drying with a microfibre cloth.

How does baking soda fix scratched glasses?

You can combine 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda and a small amount of water to create a thick homemade paste that is known to work just as well. As with toothpaste, use a microfiber or cleaning cloth to apply paste to dry lens in a circular motion. Rinse and dry with a clean microfiber towel.

How do you fix scratches on appliances?

Thoroughly clean the appliance's surface to remove any dirt or dust. Take a lint-free cloth and dab a small amount of the compound or toothpaste, then rub it into the scratch, following the direction of the grain. After rubbing continuously for a few minutes, wipe the compound off with a new, damp cloth.

How do I get scratches off my refrigerator door?

If the scratches on the fridge door are shallow, you can buff them out with some nonabrasive cleaning products and a microfiber cloth. Professionals recommend Bar Keepers Friend Powdered Cleanser, 3M 36101 Perfect-It Gelcoat Heavy Cutting Compound and whitening toothpaste.

What should you not use on stainless steel?

7 Cleaning Products You Should Never Use on Stainless Steel

  • Harsh abrasives.
  • Scouring powders.
  • Steel wool.
  • Bleach and other chlorine products.
  • Glass cleaners that contain ammonia, such as Windex.
  • Tap water, especially if yours tends to be hard water (use clean distilled or filtered H2O instead)
  • Oven cleaners.

Is Bar Keepers Friend the same as baking soda?

Do I trust this Bar Keep? Is this stuff just baking soda in disguise? (It is not.) It's an entirely different chemical, oxalic acid, and it is hardcore. While my interactions with human beings have withered and my home bar-keeping has skyrocketed, I'm spending more and more time with Bar Keepers Friend.

What should you not use Bar Keepers Friend on?

To avoid a similar fate, remember not to use Bar Keepers Friend on these surfaces: marble, granite, plastic, nonstick pans, uncoated cast iron pans, wood, enamelware, and melamine. In addition to potentially damaging household surfaces, Bar Keepers Friend can also be toxic to humans.

What oil can I use on stainless steel?

Stainless Steel FAQs

The best oils for seasoning stainless steel are avocado, corn, peanut, rice-bran or sunflower oil. Avoid coconut, canola and virgin or extra virgin olive oil – their smoke point is too low to season effectively.

What happens if stainless steel is scratched?

Stainless steel cookware is durable and typically resists scratching, but stainless pots and pans can begin to release certain metal components if scratched or gouged. Despite this metallic release, cooking with scratched stainless steel cookware is generally safe.

Do paper towels scratch stainless steel?

Avoid Making Scratches

You may be tempted to use a paper towel but paper towels may scratch the surface of your stainless steel appliances. A microfiber cloth is softer and will produce a better result.

Is Windex good for stainless steel?

If all you're dealing with are those smudgy fingerprints, you can give your stainless steel appliances a quick touch-up using glass cleaner. Brands like Windex will do just fine, here. Once again, spray the solution onto your cleaning rag and apply it to the smudgy areas on your appliances using a circular motion.