Fingerprint Resistant Finishes

Posted on Sept 24, 2019

Kitchens can be messy places. From food prep to after-meal dishes, it doesn’t take long for these high-traffic areas to become a home for spills, splatters, and overall gunk. After clearing the countertops, wiping them down, sweeping the floors, and loading and unloading the dishwasher, you’ve finally got your kitchen back to presentable status for the next drop-in guest (and the next mess). Except if you don’t have a fingerprint-resistant finish, you don’t. Even the cleanest of kitchens won’t look good if the appliances are covered in smudges and fingerprints.

While stainless steel has dominated the appliance world since the early 2000s thanks to its durability and commercial-grade look, homeowners have become frustrated with the constant upkeep of wiping away smears, fingerprints, and smudges. But if you love the look of stainless, you’re not completely out of luck. Appliance manufacturers have responded to the complaints with fingerprint-resistant, smudge-proof finishes that offer the same durability with a fresh new look.

Stainless Steel

Most manufacturers now offer stainless steel coated in a protective layer that makes them fingerprint-resistant and smudge-proof. Maytag, GE Appliances, Whirlpool, and KitchenAid, to name a few, offer appliance suites in this innovative finish that offer the same strength and look of stainless and make it easy to keep your kitchen looking great.

GE Slate & GE Black Slate

As a leader of technological innovation, GE Appliances was one of the first appliance manufacturers to start offering an alternative to stainless steel through their exclusive GE Slate finish. The stone-inspired finish not only offers a rich and elegant look that blends seamlessly with today’s popular materials and colors, but its dark matte appearance naturally hides smudges, dirt, and fingerprints to keep it easily maintainable.

Black Stainless Steel

With the era of black appliances on the rise, appliance manufacturers (initially KitchenAid) started offering the sleek, black version of stainless steel. Featuring the look of the brushed metal grain you find on stainless steel, this shiny finish features a protective layer to keep appliances looking just as stunning as the day you bought them. You can now get black stainless steel appliances from KitchenAid, GE Appliances, Whirlpool, and Bosch.

Matte Collection

Cafe Appliances recently introduced a brand new line of customizable appliances that allow you to change out the handles and knobs for ultimate personalization. These appliances are featured in either White Matte or Black Matte finishes that offer a matte surface that resists fingerprints and smudges so your appliances stay looking high-end.

Sunset Bronze

Offered exclusively from Whirlpool appliances, this new finish offers a warm take on stainless steel. Described as a pale gold that can appear as a rose gold or copper depending on the light, this glowy surface has a smudge-proof, satin finish that keeps messes at arm’s length.