You wipe down the fridge, step back, and there they are: streaks. Stainless steel and glass show every smudge, so a few small habits matter more than any fancy product. Here's what works in our own homes.
What you'll need
- A plant-based all-purpose cleaner (we'll cover how to mix ours below)
- Two clean microfiber cloths, one for cleaning and one for drying
- A reusable spray bottle
Why surfaces streak
Streaks usually come from three things: too much product, a dirty cloth, or letting the surface air-dry. Hard water minerals and leftover residue are the usual culprits. Using less cleaner and drying right away fixes most of it.
How to clean stainless steel
- Check the grain. Most stainless steel has faint lines running in one direction. Wipe along them, not across.
- Spray lightly. Mist your cloth, or the surface, rather than soaking it.
- Wipe with the grain using the first microfiber cloth.
- Dry right away with the second, dry cloth, using long strokes in the same direction.
- Buff any spots that remain with a dry corner of the cloth.
How to clean glass and mirrors
- Dust first. Wiping a dusty window turns the dust into mud.
- Spray lightly and wipe from top to bottom.
- Dry with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. Switch to a dry section as you go.
- Skip direct sunlight if you can. Cleaner dries too fast on warm glass and leaves marks.
Mixing Thyme Plus+ concentrate
Our cleaners ship as small glass bottles of concentrate, which saves water weight and plastic. To mix one:
- Pour one 2 oz bottle into a 16 oz spray bottle.
- Fill the rest with filtered water.
- Screw on the sprayer and give it a gentle swirl.
That's it. Choose Sage for a warm, earthy scent or Rosemary for a fresh, herbal one. As with any cleaner, try a small hidden spot first on a new surface.
A few quick tips
- Use filtered or distilled water to cut down on mineral spots.
- Wash your microfiber cloths without fabric softener, which leaves a film.
- Wipe fingerprint-prone spots (fridge handles, microwave doors) a little more often so buildup never gets a chance.
Ready to try it? Shop our Sage and Rosemary concentrates or grab the starter bundle with a refillable glass spray bottle. Thyme Plus+ is a woman-owned family business making plant-based cleaning concentrates in Goleta, California.