How to Remove Scratches from Stainless Steel

You’ve just had your new stainless steel appliances installed after a kitchen remodel. Just as you take a step back to enjoy the new look of your modern appliances, the unthinkable happens — another family member or pet accidentally scratches the gleaming surface. It’s a devastating moment for a new stainless steel owner or even a loyal longtime owner. But once the damage is done, what can you do to remedy it? Whether you need to know how to remove scratches from a stainless steel sink, dishwasher, fridge, or other appliance, we’ve got you covered.

Even if you don’t experience an incident like the one described above, regular use of stainless steel will inevitably result in scratches on the metal. Whether it’s a ring brushing against the surface, or any other accidental or repeated contact — even this long-lasting material is prone to wear and tear. In this guide, we’ll teach you how to buff out a scratch from stainless steel appliances to keep them looking fresh and new for as long as you want to keep them.

An important note before starting: When removing a scratch from stainless steel, remember it’s a unique finish and can’t be cleaned like other metals. In fact, its grain pattern makes it closer to wood than other metallic finishes, which makes eliminating those pesky scratches a bit more complicated. When following the provided steps, make sure to always buff or rub in the same direction as the grain — which may be vertical or horizontal. Attempting to remove a scratch and rubbing against this grain can worsen the damage.

First Things First: How Severe is the Scratch?

Before you begin buffing out scratches, you’ll need to determine how deep the scratch is. You can easily remove light, fine scratches with solutions like a store-bought non-abrasive cleaner, toothpaste, or baking soda, but fixing deeper scratches will require more heavy-duty methods. There are a couple of simple steps to help you figure out which method will work for your appliance:

• Look for a clear coat. If your stainless steel appliance has a clear coat over the finish, you’ll need to use the correct method to make sure you don’t do further damage. Luckily, some stainless steel scratch remover kits include a test to tell you whether your finish has a clear coat or not. You can also check your manufacturer’s manual for this information.
• Determine how deep the scratch is. Light and deep scratches on metal need to be fixed using different methods. Light scratches will appear as surface-level blemishes or scuffs, but deep scratches will leave a significant imprint or depression in the finish.

Pro tip: Always preclean the surface. Clean your stainless steel appliances before you start repairing a scratch to ensure nothing further damages the finish.

Useful Materials for Removing Scratch Marks

We’ll cover several methods in this guide on how to buff out a scratch from your stainless steel appliance — including tips for removing scratches from clear-coated stainless steel. Just be sure to test whichever method you decide to try on a side or back panel, so if it doesn’t work perfectly, you won’t be stuck with an eyesore on the front of your fridge or dishwasher.

There are a variety of cleaning solutions and tools that you can use to remove scratches from stainless steel. Let’s go over those before we get started:

Non-Abrasive Cleaner

Non-abrasive cleaners are either powders or liquids, which work by filling in the lines left in stainless steel by small scratches and scuffs.

Whitening Toothpaste

Thanks to its slightly abrasive properties (which allow it to whiten your teeth), you can use this household item on light-to-medium depth scratches if the appliance isn’t covered with a clear coat. It works by removing the top layers of the steel’s surface and smoothing it out.

Baking Soda

Just like whitening toothpaste — but maybe not as commonly found in homes — baking soda’s mildly abrasive properties can help with buffing out scratches, especially small ones.

Stainless Steel Scratch Remover Kit

These kits can be found online or at your local hardware store. They’ll contain everything you may need, including instructions on how to fix scratches on stainless steel. Some even include a test to determine whether your appliance has a clear coat.

Other Items

For deeper scratches on uncoated stainless, you can use an abrasive pad like fine sandpaper (400-600 grit) or a scrubbing sponge and some olive oil to gently buff out and repolish the finish. White vinegar also makes an effective chrome and stainless steel polisher after you finish buffing out scratches.

A note on clear coated or fingerprint-resistant finishes: For coated stainless, you can try filling the scratches in with car wax before making a phone call to have your appliance repaired. (Keep in mind, cosmetic damages are typically not covered by your homeowners insurance or a home warranty. Trying the DIY method before calling a professional for help isn’t a bad idea.)

Removing Small Scratches

Smaller scratches typically don’t require much expertise and can be buffed out with minimal effort. Let’s review the steps to remove small scratches from stainless steel and which solutions are appropriate for the job.

Step 1: Clean the Appliance

Wipe down the scratched surface with a stainless steel wipe or cleaning cloth to ensure no dust or dirt remains on the appliance. Any dust or particles left behind could further scratch your appliance or make the scratch removal less effective.

Optional: If you don’t want to worry about buffing out and repolishing the scratched area, you can first try applying car wax, surface-safe silicone lubricant, or olive oil to the scratch. The wax or silicone may fill in the scratch enough to make it unnoticeable. If this doesn’t do the trick, continue to the next step.

Step 2: Use a Buffing Solution

If you’re using a non-abrasive cleaner in powder form, follow the instructions on the package to mix the solution. For baking soda, mix with water to create a thick paste. If you’re using a liquid, non-abrasive cleaner or toothpaste, you can apply them to the scratch in their existing form.

Once the solution is ready, apply it to the scratched area using a soft, clean cloth. Before you start buffing, it’s vital to find the direction of the grain on your appliance. (The grain will run either vertically or horizontally.) It’s very important to always buff in the same direction as the grain to avoid further damage.

Step 3: Remove the Solution and Repeat if Necessary

When you think you’ve buffed out the scratch, let the solution rest for a few minutes and then wipe it away with a clean microfiber cloth. If you can still see the scratches, repeat this step. If they’re gone, remove the solution with diluted vinegar on a clean cloth. Still seeing those scratch marks? It may be time to try a more intense method.

Removing Deep Scratches

You’ve learned how to buff out scratches when they’re minor, but what about deeper damage? When removing deep scratches from stainless steel, you’ll want to take extra caution because the more intense process has more potential for damage. The steps are similar but tweaked slightly to deal with more severe damage.

Step 1: Clean the Surface

As with smaller scratches, it’s important to start with a clean surface. Use a soft cloth with a little vinegar or a stainless steel cleaning wipe to remove dirt, dust, and grime from the appliance’s face. Rinse and dry the surface thoroughly.

Step 2: Buff Out the Scratches

Once again, it’s important to determine the direction of the grain on your stainless steel appliance. Once you’ve figured out whether the grain is vertical or horizontal, prepare your abrasive — very fine sandpaper or a scouring/scrubbing pad — by adding a bit of olive oil to it before you begin. When you’re ready, use a medium amount of pressure to begin buffing out the scratch with your abrasive tool.

Step 3: Finishing Touch

After you’ve completed the buffing process, look closely at the scratch. If you can still see it, repeat the process or move on to a finer grit tool if available. The finer the abrasive grit, the smoother you surface you can achieve. Once you’ve reduced it to a manageable size you may want to try one of the methods for removing light scratches. Once you’ve finished buffing out the scratches, clean the area with a fresh cloth and some diluted vinegar.

How to Prevent Scratching Stainless Steel

You now know how to fix scratches on stainless steel, but what about preventing them? While keeping your stainless steel clean may not prevent every scratch, it can help remove dirt and debris that would cause damage if left uncleaned. Schedule regular cleaning times and use only stainless steel-approved cleaners or vinegar to remove surface dirt and grime. And when learning how to polish stainless steel, remember to always wipe your appliances in the direction of the grain. Regular cleaning can help prevent debris buildup, meaning you’re less likely to damage the surface with aggressive scrubbing.

Note: Never use bleach to clean stainless steel, as it can corrode the metal, leading to rusting.

Home Warranty for Stainless Steel Appliances

While you can fix most stainless steel scratches yourself, you may need help if something bigger goes wrong with your home’s appliances. That’s where a home warranty comes in. Home warranty coverage from First American can help protect your budget and those beautiful appliances from unexpected breakdowns.

Learn more about appliance coverage and get a free home warranty quote to learn how we could help you protect your household budget.

The contents of this article are provided for general guidance only. First American Home Warranty does not assume any responsibility for losses or damages as a result of using this information.

Please be aware that if you disassemble a covered system or item, it can invalidate your home warranty or manufacturer's warranty.