I'm a big fan of cameo (a comet-like product) which you can get at the grocery store.

I rub a little bit of WD-40 into the front of my fridge and dishwasher every 6 months or so and it keeps fingerprints off. I imagine baby oil would work just as well . . .

Method Steel For Real works okay if you want to use a green cleaner. It's available at Target.

First off NEVER use anything abasive on stainless steel. Anything like Comet will leave scratches that won't come out. I work in an appliance store and the best thing we've found is Sheila Shine. It is more or less WD-40 with some scent added. It will clean the surface and leave an oily film that will resist fingerprints. It will also make it a lot easier to wipe down on a regular basis although some people don't like the film it leaves. It also won't work on countertops (assuming you are using it for food prep).

When we first had our new SS appliances installed I bought the Method cleaner--because I'm a sucker for their products' packaging :) and non-chemical-y smell. After using it for awhile and seeing *very* mediocre results, I just assumed that most of the smudges and streaks were permanent.

Then I came across a small bottle that I'd forgotten had come with the fridge. And wow, what a difference over the Method stuff. This stuff really works. Unfortunately it has no brand on it--just says "Cleaning Polish and Conditioner for Stainless Steel." But I'd recommend looking for something "no frills" like that--I think hardware stores often have a better selection of material-specific cleaning supplies than drugstore or groceries.

For counters, soap and water followed by a dry microfiber cloth and it sparkles like the sun. For about 5 minutes, until we start messing it up again!

I've tried all the products listed so far and can't get my stainless clean. The major culprit is water streaks (we have well water with lots of minerals) and the previous owners did not keep it up. Any thoughts on how to get streaks off my stainless dishwasher?

I use windex on my stainless steel and have found it works very well.

Sounds bizarre but Scrubbing Bubbles - yes the one you use to clean your bathroom. Martha Stewart's daughter Alexis turned me on to this trick and while I was skeptical, as one might expect, it just works. Best part is that it's not a uni-tasker (the way my now unused can of 3m Stainless Cleaner is). One less can under the sink.

Hmm. We've got a stainless steel countertop, and I find that a damp cloth with a little elbow grease and then a dry cloth to pick up any leftover moisture works just fine. But then, I do this pretty frequently, so maybe I don't have to worry about build-up the same way...

I have used WOW! stainless steel cleaner (it must be some sort of oil base) and it works like a dream. My appliances (other than the cooktop - which is just messy all of the time) stay clean and fingerprint free for quite awhile.

I used to listen to Martha Stewart's radio channel and they sang the praises of BonAmi cleaner. I have to say, after using it, I sing its praises too. It works wonderfully and is a good multitasking cleaner. I use it to clean all kinds of things, but I was amazed when it brought out all the stains left on my old Formica topped table (25 yrs) and left it brilliantly white again. Great stuff.

The most amazing trick I have ever come across: To get rust and other stains off of stainless steel, mix some baking soda and water to make a paste, crumple up a bit of aluminum foil, and use it to scrub away. I'm telling you it works wonders. I had a stainless steel pot covered in rust and now it's sparkling. Amazing really. I can't guarantee no scratches-- it might have resulted in a few, but for a pot that was so gross I was going to throw it away anyway, I can live with a few scratches. Honestly, the scratches may have been there before, but I'm just not sure.

Bar Keeper's Friend

Janine--Bon Ami or Barkeepers Friend will both do a good job of getting the water streaks off. I have the same problem and the stainess-specific cleaners mentioned here don't do a thing.
You need something with oxalic acid which both of these have in addition to being no-scratch.
They're both powdered in a can like Comet, but also come in a liquid variety which is easier to use but not as effective, IMO.
I just sprinkle some into a wet cloth so it makes a little bit of a paste and give the entire surface a good rubdown followed by either a rinse wipe or buff with a dry cloth or both.

if you want to avoid streaks and fingerprints, you have to put some kind of oil on it. Baby oil is okay, but I'd use mineral oil to get away from the fragrance. Clean the wall then apply the oil lightly with a paper towel.

BonAmi is a great choice, it cleans a variety of things and is very earth-friendly.

Seems like Bar Keepers Friend is a little tougher and cause irritation. I would recommend using BonAmi and using the "potato with some baking soda" method for any tough rust stains.

Other cleaners mentioned here are much more toxic than needed to clean something as simple as stainless steel.

Two simple home-made recipes that are non-toxic and work wonders are as follows. Just mix as a paste and buff on, wipe off

2 tablespoons cream of tartar
2 tablespoons baking soda
2 tablespoons 3% hydrogen peroxide
(cream of tartar is a natural bleaching agent and will help to remove stains and produce a lovely shine)

or

1/2 cup baking soda
1 cup club soda

club soda can be used on any shiny surface to produce a streak free shine

Straight white vinegar!

On a slightly different topic, does anyone know if there is a way to buff out scratches on a stainless steel fridge? We put an ugly (though not deep) scratch on our new fridge the other day and it is breaking my heart.

baby oil

my housekeeper turned me on to using orange oil spray--it leaves a kitchen-friendly scent and my appliances look great.

Windex.

We have a LOT of stainless steel in our kitchen and I hated cleaning it at first. Now? I love it! Getting it gleaming makes the whole kitchen glow.

I found (at Sam's) a can of Sprayaway (I guess that is the brand?) stainless steel cleaner and polish. It comes in a three pack and last forever. Very well priced if I remember correctly. You spray it on and wipe it off and it not only cleans beautifully but polishes up very well.

The other thing I use is Pledge!
My husband runs a business installing home theaters and doing various remodeling for audio systems. One of the places he gets materials from (a very high end business) that installs stainless steel kitchens in homes uses this to make all the stainless steel sheets and sets shine.
Works wonders!

This stuff works great:
http://www.shaklee.com/00015.html

I have also heard that a little bit of olive oil works as well, but I am afraid to rub olive oil on the appliances as it could be slick and might even attract bugs.

I don't know if they still sell them, but we bought a container of stainless wipes from Restoration Hardware a couple years ago, and we actually only have to use one every month or two. Somehow they seem to repel fingerprints on the fridge. (We don't have kids yet...) For the lip of the stove I just use a damp sponge, since I wipe it every time I cook. The rest of our stove is enamel so that cleans up easily.

Starting reading this and got intrigued, thinking about my spotty, fingerprint-y stainless appliances. I did a combo of what I read above: first, wiped with windex, then rubbed with oil. (We had some crate and barrel cutting board oil, so I used that). AMAZING! Can't wait for my roommate to get home so she can see. The appliances have never looked better!