Looks slick! Don't use any abrasive cleaners for sure. You can purchase stainless steel spray cleaner. It works pretty darn good. I use it for the stainless steel BBQ we have.

Thanks! Stainless steel cleaner is first on my list.

@Piff, sounds like things are moving along with the apartment. I like the idea of stainless counters. Whatever happened with your painters and that mess?

@Piff, I had hugh stainless steel counters in my Subway Restaurant kitchen. Stainless steel cleaner all the way. Don't want to burst your bubble but they will scartch. One wee tip, when they get scratched up some and trust me they will! wipe them down now and then with pure olive oil. These countertops can be dented and scratched, although light scratches tend to become less noticeable over time, and seem to just be part of the surface of the stainless steel.
Stainless steel smudges and shows fingerprints. Water left to dry on the surface will cause temporary spotting.

Great tip thanks Amy.

@Unwanted - Thanks for following up! I talked to the head guy and he personally touched
up and fixed errors (and addressed bubbling). It looks dramatically better.

@wendy - I'm glad to know that scratches eventually blend and become part of the character of the counter. I'm counting on that so I don't go crazy with worry.

@amy - wipe with the grain and rubbing alcohol (i love a homemade product that's just as good). got it!

My daughter’s table top is stainless. I asked her how she cleans it because it always looks so good. She said she uses soap (like Ivory) and water, rinses it with a wet cloth and dries it with a kitchen towel.

I am, Amy, running to my kitchen right now, alcohol in hand, as I have a stain on the front of my fridge that resists all attempts.

Amy, it worked! Thanks for sharing.

Use microfiber cloths when wiping your counter down, they work better than anything else. Beautiful kitchen!

Alcohol also works great to get spots off of glassware. My wineglasses have to be hand washed, So I wipe them with alcohol after they are dry to get rid of the spots. It has become my go to cleaner for everything but wood and fabric.

I grew up in a house with stainless steel counters built in the 40's. You can't obsess over every little scratch. Overall, your counters will develop a nice patina that will look worn but not bad. Live with it.

Years ago I was a housekeeping supervisor for a hotel chain and the rubbing alcohol was the go to cleaner, especially for mirrors, glass, and faucets. It's even safe on TV screens. And the microfiber towels in combination with the alcohol is even better. The towels really help with smudges and the more stuck on stuff.

@everybody - rubbing alcohol and microfiber towels have been ordered from amazon. thanks!

@leelee - thank you for sharing your experience. i'm so glad to know i'll still be able to love them as they age and change.

Wendy knows the truth. My mom had stainless tops for 35 years and just cleaned them with dish soap and sometimes Brillo. They had a patina of tiny scratches all over the whole surface but it was so even it looked like a factory finish.

Do not use polishes or any oils, it will build up, attract more dirt and is nasty looking. I use soap and water and also rubbing alcohol from time to time.