Stainless-steel appliances made the crossover from commercial to home kitchens years ago, but the know-how required to clean and care for them seems to be lagging.

Here is the three-step regimen Sue Bailey, lead product manager of major appliances at Viking, performs every four months on her own stainless steel. (It works for stainless stove hoods, islands, and countertops, too.)

Wash surfaces with hot, soapy water (dishwashing liquid is fine) and a nonabrasive sponge, working both with and against the grain (yes, stainless steel has a grain) to lift buildup. Dry with a towel. Don’t be alarmed if appliances look duller than usual; you have just removed kitchen grease and residual cleaning products.

Apply a layer of stainless-steel polish according to the package directions, wiping off any excess immediately. Bailey recommends Sheila Shine, which works as well as cream polish but requires much less elbow grease ($7 for a 10-ounce spray, $9.50 for one quart, www.sheilashine.com or 800-836-0362 for store locations).

With a clean, dry towel, buff the polish into the surface, going with the grain, until it shines and the towel comes away dry.