Learning how to clean a stainless steel sink may sound easy, but it's not as easy as you think. Limescale, but also leftover food and soap, can accumulate quickly with daily use. And these stains are not only difficult to remove, but can appear prominent and accentuated on a stainless steel surface.
Fortunately, there are methods you can use to control these stains and remove the ones that have set in. And the good news is, you might already have what you need at home to get the job done. How to clean a stainless steel sink to make it shine again.
How to clean a stainless steel sink
what will you need
dishwasher
sponge
sodium bicarbonate
distilled white vinegar
Microfiber clothing
olive oil
cream of tartar (optional)
1. Drain and rinse: First of all, you can't clean the sink until it's full of cups and plates. Therefore, empty it and remove any leftover food from the lid. Rinse briefly to remove stains immediately as well.
2. Scrub with soap: Next, you should use a few drops of dish soap and a non-abrasive sponge to scrub the sink. Be sure to cover the entire sink, including the walls, hidden cracks, and around the plug hole. Don't forget to take a look at the faucet as well. Once you've done that, rinse off the soapy water.
3. Apply Baking Soda - While your sink is still damp, sprinkle baking soda on all surfaces. Baking soda is a great cleaning agent because it breaks down dirt and grease and can sand away stains, but it's not abrasive enough to damage stainless steel.
4. Rub - Rub the baking soda with your sponge (making sure it's not abrasive) in the direction of the grain of the stainless steel. The grain should be visible to the naked eye when inspecting the surface; You can also feel it when you run your fingers over it.
When combined with the wastewater, the baking soda should form a thick paste. Keep rubbing until you've covered the entire surface. Don't clarify.
5. Vinegar Spray: Spray some distilled white vinegar onto the baking soda for extra cleaning power. This creates an effervescent chemical reaction that dissolves and loosens the stains; This is what makes baking soda and vinegar so good for cleaning .
It can smell pretty strong, but vinegar is great for removing water stains and limescale, so it's worth airing the room and putting up with it. Wait for the solution to stop bubbling, then rinse it off.
If you don't have vinegar on hand, you can use lemons here as well. Simply cut one in half and rub a segment over the baking soda in the direction of the grain. Just like vinegar, lemon juice helps remove limescale and smells nice too. Rinse when done.
6. Stubborn Stain Solutions: If the stains are still visible, you need to break out the heavy weapons. One option is to use a proprietary cleaner like the Therapy Stainless Steel Cleaning Kit ( $19.95, Amazon (opens in a new tab) ). If you use alternative cleaners, make sure they are suitable for stainless steel; Some detergents and abrasives can damage this surface.
Alternatively, you can make a homemade solution by combining ¼ cup cream of tartar with 1 cup distilled white vinegar. This creates a paste that you can apply directly to stubborn stains. Rub it in gently with a sponge and then leave it on for a few minutes. After the time has elapsed, rinse off the solution and repeat the process if necessary.
7. Dry the sink - Once all stains are removed, dry the sink thoroughly with a microfiber cloth. This is an important step as any residual water will form fresh watermarks and make your efforts redundant.
8. Apply Olive Oil and Polish: Now that your sink is spotless, it's time to give it a shine. Put a few drops of olive oil on a microfiber cloth and rub onto the stainless steel in the direction of the grain. Remove any excess and voila.
Your sink should now be as good as new! Here are some tips to keep it spotless:
Tips to keep your stainless steel sink clean
- Remove food residue and clean stains immediately. The longer you let them sit, the rougher and more stubborn they can be to clean.
- Don't leave puddles around your faucet. These can easily go unnoticed if you've turned the handles with wet hands. Puddles leave limescale and water stains as they dry.
- Also, get in the habit of drying the sink after using it. This will reduce the number of watermarks in the future.
- Keep cleaning the sink and make it a part of your regular routine. If you do this it will be much quicker and easier to clean.
To keep your kitchen looking like new, check out our guides on how to clean a microwave , how to clean an oven , how to clean a trash can , and how to clean stainless steel appliances .
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