No, you do not need to polish stainless steel. Without question, polishing stainless steel is going to enhance its appeal and it can also extend its life. The convenient aspect is there are many different solutions that can be used to polish this metal. For example, you could go with a non-waxy steel polish or even just an olive oil. Heck, for most stainless steel polishes, you can pick them up at your local grocery store. If you end up going with something such as olive oil, though, remember to dab the oil on with a microfiber cloth. There are even consumers who have used vinegar to polish this steel. In fact, if your ice bucket does end up staining, cleaning vinegar will work great to remove it thanks to its higher acidity.