Stainless steel sinks are best known for their ability to resist rust and corrosion. This is why stainless steel is the most popular choice for certain parts of the kitchen, including the kitchen sink. Since most leftover food particles, dish wash soap, and other materials end up in the sink, rusting and corrosion are common occurrences. However, there is no need to worry if your sink is dirty – keeping your sink clean is easy and does not require costly products. This blog will provide tips and tricks to clean your stainless steel sink and make it look good as new.
Contents
Dish Soap and Mineral Oil
Before you start, you will need to gather some supplies. You will need two cleaning wipes or rags, preferably 100% cotton, since they make it easier to clean any residue. You can use paper towels as well, but those aren’t as effective as a good ol’ rag.
Put some mineral oil on the rag and add a little dish soap into the sink around the corners. Dish soap is great for cleaning stainless steel. Start wiping the sink gently in circular motions. Dry the sink with a clean towel once you have finished cleaning. The mineral oil will give the sink a polished and shiny look.
White Vinegar and Olive Oil
Apply white vinegar all over the sink and start wiping it with a fresh rag. You can apply more vinegar gradually if you think that there is still some residue left. Then, take a fresh rag and apply a bit of olive oil to it. Polish the freshly cleaned sink and dry it off with a dry cloth.
Lemon Oil Furniture Polish
This is a great solution for cleaning the sink. Apply a small amount of lemon oil furniture polish to a towel and wipe the sink with it. When the sink looks clean, wipe it with a different cloth. However, make sure that you don’t directly put this oil into the sink as it will become difficult to clean off the excess.
Flour
First, you need to thoroughly clean the sink to remove all of the small particles, dirt, dust, or grease. Once the sink has dried, cover it up with flour. Spread it around the sink, covering every spot. Take a soft cloth and gently start wiping off the flour in circular motions. Then, notice how your sink shines brighter than ever.
Club Soda
Spray some generous amount of club soda into the sink. Start wiping the sink in the direction of the grain to get a smooth finish. This will help to clean the surface and get rid of fingerprints or stains. Plus, it will also give the sink a nice, shiny surface.
Stainless Steel Cleaners
You can also invest in a commercial stainless steel cleaner if your sink has many scratches or needs extra polishing. Commercial cleaners can be a bit costly, but they do a great job. They can minimize scratches and neatly polish the surface of the sink. Make sure that you read the instructions before using any of the commercial products.
Water and Cloth
You would be surprised to see the difference these two simple things can make to a sink. If you clean your sink regularly with just water and a cloth, your sink will be in much better condition over the years. Sometimes simply using plain water to clean can be sufficient. You can dip a cotton cloth or a towel in plain water and wipe the sink clean. Use a different cloth to dry the sink after cleaning.
The Dos of Cleaning Stainless Steel Sink
Before you clean your stainless steel sink, make sure to keep these “dos” in mind:
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- Always use a soft cloth to wipe the sink.
- If there are any stains or fingerprints on the sink, use a glass cleaner.
- Identify the direction of the grain and wipe in the same direction to avoid streaks.
- Make sure that you use a different cloth or towel to dry out the sink after cleaning.
- If you are using a commercial cleaner, make sure you read the directions first before using it.
The Don’ts of Cleaning Stainless Steel Sink
Here are some of the things that you must avoid at all costs when you look to clean your stainless steel sink:
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- Do not use steel wool or brushes to clean the sink. It will only cause scratches and make it prone to rusting and corrosion.
- Harsh cleaning products will cause more damage to the sink and reduce its shine.
- Bleach and cleaners with chlorine should be avoided as they can cause a lot of damage to stainless steel.
- Don’t leave dirty water or cleaning solution in the sink to dry off on its own, as this can cause permanent stains. Always use a soft cloth or a towel to wipe it off.
- Sometimes tap water may be harmful to the stainless steel sink. It is recommended that you use filtered or dilated water.
Final Thoughts
Stainless steel sinks are easy to clean and can also be very durable, provided that you maintain them regularly. The key to ensuring that your stainless steel remains ‘stainless’ is maintaining it and taking care of it regularly. We hope that the tips and tricks provided in this blog are useful for you. If you follow the above tips, your stainless steel sink will remain perfect for a very long time.
