Can You Use a Magic Eraser on Stainless Steel?

A Magic Eraser works so well on scuffed walls that it’s natural to reach for one when the fridge door is greasy or the sink looks cloudy. But using a magic eraser on stainless steel is one of the jobs its maker advises against, and the reason comes down to the finish. Here’s what the makers say, what to use instead, and how to handle a hazy spot you’ve already made.

Will it scratch? It depends on the finish

“Stainless steel” covers several different surfaces. Most appliance doors and sinks have a grain of fine brushed lines. Some appliances add a clear protective coat, and some “stainless look” finishes aren’t metal at all. Check your owner’s manual to see which one you have.

Finish	Magic Eraser?	What the maker recommends	Avoid
Traditional (brushed) stainless appliance	Not recommended by Mr. Clean	Whirlpool: warm, soapy water and a nonabrasive sponge, rubbed with the grain, then dried. GE Appliances: mild dish soap and water, or a baking soda paste for heavy soil.	GE: steel wool, abrasives, bleach, ammonia, acids. Whirlpool: abrasive cloths, paper towels, vinegar- or citrus-based cleaners.
Fingerprint-resistant stainless (clear-coated)	Not recommended	Mild soap, warm water, and a soft or microfiber cloth, then dry thoroughly (GE, Whirlpool).	Whirlpool: scouring pads, abrasive cleaners, chlorine bleach, paper towels. It says these can scratch or dull the clear coat.
Black stainless	Not recommended (dark finishes are on the label)	GE: a soft cloth and warm, soapy water, or its approved Cerama Bryte Appliance Cleaner.	GE: scrub sponges “even non-scratch ones,” cleaners made specifically for stainless steel, and Bar Keepers Friend.
Stainless-look vinyl (e.g., GE CleanSteel)	Avoid	GE: mild soap and warm water with a soft cloth.	Anything abrasive. GE says scratches on CleanSteel can’t be repaired, and the part has to be replaced.
Stainless steel kitchen sink	Not recommended (brushed or satin grain)	Kohler: stainless steel cleaner on a nonabrasive cloth or sponge, with the grain. Elkay: mild detergent and a soft cloth, then rinse and dry.	Kohler: steel wool, wire brushes, abrasive sponge pads. Elkay: strong abrasives like green Scotch-Brite pads, which it says scratch and dull the surface.

Using a magic eraser on stainless steel: what the label says

On its kitchen cleaning page, Mr. Clean says to test a small area with light pressure before use. It then lists the surfaces where the eraser is not recommended: high gloss, polished, dark, brushed, satin, faux, bare or polished wood, copper, stainless steel appliances, non-stick coating, and vehicle body.

That list covers stainless steel more than once. Stainless appliances are named outright, and brushed, satin, and dark finishes are listed too. Mr. Clean also says not to use the eraser with chlorine bleach or other household cleaners.

Appliance makers agree. GE Appliances’ finish chart says not to use scrub sponges on stainless or black stainless, “even non-scratch ones.” Whirlpool says abrasive products could damage the finish and that this damage isn’t covered by its warranty. Elkay says not following its care instructions will void its sink warranty.

If you already used one

Noticed a dull, cloudy, or scuffed-looking patch after scrubbing? More scrubbing, or a rougher pad, can make it worse.

1. Stop and rinse. Wipe the area with a soft cloth and warm, soapy water to remove any residue, then dry it completely. Some haze may just be residue or water spots. Whirlpool notes that water left to dry on stainless can cause discoloration.
2. Confirm the finish. If your manual says fingerprint-resistant, black stainless, or a stainless-look finish, skip to step 5.
3. Use an approved cleaner, with the grain. GE Appliances says its recommended cleaning methods “can often help reduce the appearance” of slight scratches on stainless. For small blemishes, it suggests an oxalic acid cleaner such as Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser (liquid, grit-free only), rubbed along the grain with a damp, soft sponge. Test it on a hidden spot first, then rinse and dry. GE’s refrigerator care page warns against stainless cleaners and acids on its fridge exteriors, so check your model’s manual before using any cleaner on a refrigerator door.
4. Polish if your manual allows it. Whirlpool says polishes or brighteners made for stainless help restore luster on traditional stainless. GE’s own pages differ on polish, so follow your manual. Apply along the grain and buff with a clean, dry cloth.
5. For coated or specialty finishes, call the maker. GE says its approved cleaning methods can often help reduce the look of scratches on fingerprint-resistant stainless, but there’s no approved repair for heavier ones. Don’t try to “sand out” the spot with a green scrub pad, which GE warns can scratch.

Sinks are more forgiving. Kohler says most stainless steel products will scratch from everyday use and those scratches blend over time. Elkay says light scratches are normal and blend into the uniform finish pattern.

What you need instead

• Two or three clean microfiber or soft cloths
• Mild dish soap and warm water
• A nonabrasive sponge
• Baking soda (traditional stainless and sinks only)
• A stainless steel cleaner or polish your manual approves (traditional stainless only)
• For sinks only, if needed: a non-scratch pad. Elkay names the blue Scotch-Brite Non-Scratch pad.

How to clean stainless steel without scratching it

1. Find the grain. Look for the fine lines in the metal. Kohler says to work with, not across, the grain.
2. Wash with soapy water. Whirlpool recommends warm, soapy water and a nonabrasive sponge, rubbed evenly in the direction of the grain. On coated or black finishes, stop here and go to step 4.
3. Loosen stuck-on spots gently. For heavy soil on stainless appliances, GE suggests a paste of baking soda and water rubbed on with a soft cloth. On a stainless sink, Elkay suggests baking soda and water on a toothbrush, or a cloth dipped in half a cup of white vinegar plus half a cup of water. Rinse, dry, and don’t let either soak. Keep vinegar off appliances; GE and Whirlpool both say not to use vinegar-based cleaners on them.
4. Rinse and dry. Wipe with a clean, damp cloth, then dry completely with a microfiber cloth.
5. Polish (optional). On traditional stainless only, and only if your manual allows it, apply a stainless polish with the grain and buff it off.

Still doesn’t look right?

Brown or rusty-looking spots: Elkay says particles from steel wool can stick to stainless and eventually rust. GE suggests a liquid oxalic acid cleaner for rust and tarnish on traditional stainless, but not on black stainless. Other materials need a different approach, like these tips for rust stains on a fiberglass tub.

Cloudy film in the sink: Elkay recommends daily cleaning to avoid soap and mineral buildup, and says letting water or cleaners evaporate on the metal hurts its look. Rinse and dry after each use.

Deep or very visible scratches: GE says there’s no approved repair method to cover them. Contact your appliance or sink maker before trying a repair kit, since the wrong fix could affect your warranty.

How to keep stainless looking good

• Wipe the sink with a soft cloth and dry it after each use. Kohler and Elkay both say this helps prevent water deposits.
• Use a bottom grid or rinse basket in the sink to protect it from scratches, as Kohler and Elkay suggest. Elkay advises against dish mats.
• Don’t store open containers of bleach, drain cleaner, or toilet bowl cleaner under the sink. Elkay says chloride vapors can cause corrosion and pitting on stainless.
• Fixtures need gentle care too. Here’s how to clean a matte black faucet without wearing it down.

Cleaning another surface? Our surface cleaning guide covers the rules that protect most finishes and links to every surface guide.

FAQ

Will a Magic Eraser scratch stainless steel?

Mr. Clean lists stainless steel appliances, along with brushed, satin, and polished finishes, as surfaces where its erasers are not recommended. GE Appliances and Whirlpool also tell owners to avoid abrasive pads and sponges on stainless.

Can I use a Magic Eraser on a stainless steel sink?

Kohler’s and Elkay’s sink care guides don’t mention it. Kohler says to use a nonabrasive cloth or sponge and only non-scratch pads, and Elkay recommends mild detergent and a soft cloth. Mr. Clean also lists brushed and satin finishes, which many stainless sinks have, as not recommended.

Is it safe on black stainless or fingerprint-resistant stainless?

No. Makers keep the care rules simple for both: mild soap, warm water, and a soft cloth. Whirlpool says abrasive products can scratch or dull the clear coat on fingerprint-resistant doors. GE says not to use scrub sponges, even non-scratch ones, on black stainless, and dark finishes are on Mr. Clean’s not-recommended list.

Can I use a Magic Eraser on my fridge handles?

GE Appliances’ refrigerator cleaning page says a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser can be used on refrigerator door handles. Its stainless care pages don’t list it for the doors themselves, and Mr. Clean doesn’t recommend it on stainless appliances. Check your manual and test a small spot with light pressure first.

Sources

• Mr. Clean – Cleaning Products for a Perfect Kitchen (product use warnings)
• GE Appliances – How to Clean Stainless Steel
• GE Appliances – Premium Finish Cleaning Tips
• GE Appliances – Scratches on an Appliance
• GE Appliances – Refrigerator Exterior Cleaning Tips
• Whirlpool – Cleaning Traditional Stainless Steel
• Whirlpool – Cleaning Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel
• KOHLER – Kitchen Sinks Care and Clean
• Elkay – Stainless Steel Sink Care and Cleaning (PDF)
• Poison Control (poison.org) – Chlorine gas: What happens if you mix bleach and other cleaners

Last reviewed: October 11, 2026. Always follow your product’s care label and manufacturer instructions.