Understanding Carpet Cleaning Services

Simplefully Stainless? Tips For Maintaining Your Stainless Steel Sink

From washing pots, pans, and dishes to using your garbage disposal, your sink receives a great deal of abuse over time. While there are many material options available, choosing a stainless steel sink for your kitchen is a smart investment. Considered the most durable sink material for homes, stainless steel will not crack, chip, or corrode. However, prolonged exposure to certain cleansers and ingredients may discolor and scratch a stainless surface. Using this guide on homemade cleansers, you can remove discoloration and imperfections from your stainless steel sink.

Periodic Cleaning

Cleaning the stainless every few days is smart to prevent stains and heavy buildup. Liquid dish soap, water, and sponge may be your first choice for this routine cleaning, but a baking soda paste will ensure your sink is clean, free of heavy residue, and sanitized.

Remove all dishes, glasses, pots, and utensils from the sink. In addition, remove your protective sink mat, drain strainer, and drain stopper. Rinse the sink using your faucet and sprinkle a few tablespoons of baking soda directly into your sink basin. Use a soft, damp, microfiber cloth to rub the baking soda into the stainless steel. Allow it to soak for 10 minutes before rinsing with your faucet.

In most cases, baking soda will dissolve food particles, grime, soap scum, and bacteria from your stainless steel sink.

Stained Stainless

Even with periodic cleaning, water and soap can leave residue on your stainless sink. This soap scum and hard water spots leave a greasy, unattractive film on your sink, but also discolors and stains your sink. Fortunately, using the following recipe, you can remove these stains from your stainless steel:

  • ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide
  • 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar

Combine the two ingredients in a bowl and mix with a spoon. Dip a clean, soft microfiber cloth into the solution. Using circular motions, buff the discolored areas of your sink. Allow the solution to rest and dry onto the stainless surface before wiping off with a damp cloth.

The combination of the peroxide and cream of tartar effectively dissolves heavy film from your stainless while removing the stains.

Scratch Removal

Most homeowners use a protective mat on the bottom of their sinks. This mat stops utensils, glasses, and dishware from damaging your stainless steel. Unfortunately, small imperfections may develop even with this protective mat. Thankfully, buffing out the stains is possible using this technique:

  1. Remove dishes, drain strainer and stopper, and protective mat from the sink.
  2. Rinse the sink basin using your faucet.
  3. Place the stopper back into your drain and fill sink with warm water. Add a few drops of liquid dish soap.
  4. Use a soft sponge to wash the interior of your sink.
  5. Remove the stopper and allow the water and soap to drain.
  6. Apply a tablespoon of soft scrub cleanser to sink basin using a damp microfiber cloth. Be sure to coat the scratched areas.
  7. With circular motions and light pressure, use a piece of fine steel wool to buff out scratches.
  8. Rinse your sink with warm water.

Dull Shine

After buffing out the scratches of your sink, you may notice a dull appearance to your stainless steel. Using the following recipe, you can enhance the natural shine of your stainless steel sink:

  • 1 cup of white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice

Add to a spray bottle and douse all areas of your sink. Allow the solution to sit for 15 minutes. Use a damp microfiber cloth to polish the stainless surfaces. Rinse with your faucet and spray the solution on the stainless a second time. Polish with your microfiber cloth and allow to dry.

Stainless steel offers a clean, modern look for your kitchen sink. With added value, appeal, and durability, it is a smart expense. Using this guide on removing stains and enhancing shine, you can protect your investment. Talk to places like Leila's Cleaning Service, Inc. for more tips.


Share