A stainless steel napkin holder isn't too hard to clean.The term stainlesss steel was,after all,first used to connote durability--it does not rust.You can wash a stainless steel napkin holder in the sink with dishwashing liquid.Using a soft sponge is best to avoid scratching--don't use steel wool or a Brillo pad.You can also put stainless steel in the dishwasher,just like any stainless steel eating utensils.Use the energy saver dry option to reduce the amout of heat used.