Learning how to clean a stainless steel sink may seem easy, but it’s not as easy as you might think. Lime as well as food residue and soap scum can build up quickly due to daily use. These stains are not only difficult to remove, but can also appear clearly and prominently on the surface of stainless steel.
Fortunately, there are methods that you can use to get rid of these stains as well as remove the stains that are embedded in them. The good news is that you may already have what you need at home to get the job done. Here’s how to clean a stainless steel sink to make it shine again.
How to clean a stainless steel sink
What will you need
dish soap
sponge
baking soda
Distilled white vinegar
microfiber cloth
olive oil
cream of tartar (optional)
1. Empty and rinse – First of all, you cannot clean your sink which is full of cups and dishes. Therefore, empty it and remove any food residue from the stopper. Rinse it off quickly to instantly remove any stains, too.
2. Rub with soap – Next, you’ll want to use a few drops of dish soap and a non-abrasive sponge to give your tub an initial scrub. Make sure to cover the entire sink, including the walls and any hidden cracks and around the stopper opening. Don’t forget to give the faucet again, too. Once you do, rinse off the soapy water.
3. Baking soda application – While your tub is still damp, spray it baking soda on all surfaces. Baking soda is a great cleaner because it breaks down dirt and grease and can get rid of stains, but it’s not so abrasive that it damages stainless steel.
4. Rub – Using the sponge (make sure it’s not abrasive), rub the baking soda in the direction of the grit of the stainless steel. The grain should be visible to the eye if you inspect the surface – you can also feel it if you run your fingers over it.
When combined with the remaining water, the baking soda should form a thick paste. Keep scrubbing until you cover the entire surface. Don’t rinse it off.
5. Spray with vinegar – For extra cleaning power, you’ll now need to sprinkle distilled white vinegar over the baking soda. This will cause a sparkling chemical reaction that will dissolve and remove the stains; this What makes baking soda and vinegar so good at cleaning.
This smell can be quite strong, but vinegar is great at removing watermarks and limescale, so it’s worth it to air out and tolerate. Wait for the solution to finish bubbling, then rinse it off.
If you don’t have vinegar on hand, lemon is another option that you can use here. Simply cut a piece in half and rub a piece over the baking soda in the direction of the grain. Lemon juice is just as good at removing scale as vinegar, and it smells great too. Rinse it off once done.
6. Tough stain solutions – If the spots are still visible, you will need to remove the large guns. One option is to use a special cleaner, such as the Therapy Stainless Steel Cleaner Kit ($19.95, Amazon (Opens in a new tab)). If you use alternative cleaners, make sure they are suitable for use on stainless steel – some cleaners as well as abrasive tools can damage this surface.
Alternatively, you can make a homemade solution by mixing ½ cup of cream of tartar with 1 cup of distilled white vinegar. This will form a paste that you can apply directly to any stubborn stains. Gently pat it in place with a sponge and then let it sit for a few minutes. Once the time is up, rinse the solution and repeat the process if necessary.
7. Dry the sink – Once all the stains are removed, dry the tub thoroughly using a microfiber cloth. This is an important step because any remaining water will form fresh watermarks, making your efforts redundant.
8. Put olive oil and orange – Now that your tub is clean, it’s time to make it shine. Put a few drops of olive oil on a microfiber cloth and rub it against the stainless steel, moving in the direction of the grain. Remove any excess and you are done.
Your tub should now look as good as new! Here are some tips to maintain its original appearance:
Tips for keeping a stainless steel sink clean
- Remove any food residue and wipe up any stains immediately. The longer you leave these things on, the more difficult it will be to clean.
- Don’t leave puddles of water sitting around the faucet. These things can easily go unnoticed if you turn the knobs with wet hands. Puddles will leave limescale and watermarks once dry.
- Likewise, get in the habit of drying your tub as soon as you are done using it. This will reduce the amount of watermarks in the future.
- Keep cleaning the sink and make it a part of your regular routine. Cleaning will be much faster and easier if you do this.
To keep your kitchen looking shiny and new, check out our guides on how to clean a microwave, how to clean the oven, how to clean a garbage disposal, and how to clean stainless steel appliances.
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