Such scratches are glaringly obvious, marring the beauty of a pricey appliance. That means any ding or nick-from a piece of furniture, a child’s bike, even a laundry basket-could remove the coating to reveal the silvery stainless steel underneath. The black surface is created with a colored acrylic coating across regular stainless steel that unfortunately scratches fairly easily. And when the finish does need a touchup, it’s easily accomplished with a damp cloth and a bit of gentle liquid dishwashing soap or a homemade stainless steel cleaner featuring diluted vinegar-no need for special cleaners or wipes. Black stainless steel, however, is much more resistant to smudges, fingerprints, streaks, and water spots.
One of the biggest drawbacks to traditional stainless steel is how smudges and fingerprints seem to multiply across its metallic surface, meaning extra work for you to keep it looking flawlessly clean. RELATED: Your Biggest Appliance Questions, Answered PRO: Black stainless steel is resistant to fingerprints and smudges.
