How To Clean A Stainless Steel Sink
Stainless steel sinks are very durable and long-lasting. They are also extremely easy to clean. They require less maintenance than other types of sinks. It doesn't take much effort to get your stainless steel sink looking shiny and sparkling as if it was brand new.
However, if you have a stainless steel sink that is not properly cleaned or maintained, it will quickly become dull and discolored.
We have put together this useful guide to help you keep your stainless steel sink nice and clean. Keep reading to find out more.
When Do You Need To Clean Your Sink?
Cleaning the sink is a chore that often gets forgotten about. Once you have finished washing the dishes you tend to empty the water and walk away. However, the leftover soap scum and bits of food still linger in the sink and make it dirty. This can also cause unpleasant smells in your kitchen.
If you want to prevent the build-up of dirt and grime then you should make sure that you wipe the sink down each time you use it to clean the dishes. However, you should try and carry out a deeper clean of your sink every week or two, depending on how often you use it and how dirty it gets.
What Do You Need?
You probably have everything you need to clean your sink already in your kitchen!
You will need a spray bottle for your cleaning solution, a soft sponge, and a cloth for the cleaning.
The best ingredients to use for your cleaning solution are baking soda, lemon or lime, olive oil, and vinegar. However, you can use a store-bought kitchen cleaner if you prefer.
How Do You Clean A Stainless Steel Sink?
Cleaning a stainless steel sink is simple. Follow these steps to get your sink looking fresh and shiny in no time.
Step One - Rinse
The first thing you need to do is rinse the sink to get rid of any leftover bits of food. If there are large pieces of food in the sink then you might want to pick them out and put them in the bin. You should rinse the basin of the sink, as well as the faucet and the draining board.
Step Two - Apply Baking Soda
The next thing you will need to do is sprinkle baking soda over the area that you can clean.
Baking soda is brilliant for cleaning as it is gentle enough not to cause damage or scratches, but it can break down grease, dirt, and grime very easily. It also removes unpleasant odors, but as it doesn't have an odor of its own you aren't left with a strong chemical smell in your kitchen.
Sprinkle the baking soda over the sink basin, around the faucet, and over the draining board. Leave it for a few minutes so it can begin to work on the stubborn bits of dirt and food.
Step Three - Scrub!
The next bit of the cleaning process requires you to put some effort in. Using your sponge or a scrubbing brush, scrub the baking soda into the sink. Make sure that you don't use steel wool or a steel scrubbing brush as this could scratch and damage the sink.
They will also leave behind tiny pieces of metal which could rust and damage the sink. You can use a toothbrush for difficult-to-reach areas, like the bottom of the faucet or any ridges. Try to scrub in the direction of the metal grain.
Step Four - Vinegar
For the next step, you will need to spray vinegar into baking soda. The vinegar should be undiluted, or you can use a store-bought vinegar cleaning spray. As the vinegar and the baking soda mix together they will make a fizzing noise.
This is the calcium of the baking soda dissolving in the acid of the vinegar. As this chemical reaction happens, it will also help to get rid of stubborn dirt, grease, and grime on your sink.
The other benefit of this step is that the two ingredients combined are a natural disinfectant, so you can be sure that your sink is hygienic and sanitary.
Once the fizzing has stopped, rinse the area thoroughly to remove all traces of the vinegar and the baking soda. You should then dry the sink to prevent any water spots.
Step Five - Optional Additional Cleaning
Once you have dried the sink you will be able to see how clean it is. If there were any particularly stubborn stains or dirty areas or if the sink hadn't been cleaned in a long time then you might need to complete an extra step.
Make a paste of a quarter of a cup of cream of tartar and a cup of distilled white vinegar. Mix it until the two ingredients have combined to form a fairly thick mixture.
The acidity of the vinegar will help to remove any dirt or stains and the abrasive, grainy texture of the cream of tartar will dislodge anything that is stuck on.
Apply the mixture directly to any stains and rub it in with a cloth. You don't need to scrub particularly hard. You can leave the mixture on the stain for up to five minutes, then rinse the area with warm water. Again, make sure you dry the sink to prevent any water spots.
Step Six - Buff
The final stage of the cleaning process adds extra shine to your sink. You can buff the sink with a dry cloth or with a little bit of mirror or glass cleaner. This will help to remove any smears or water spots to leave your sink gleaming.
Alternatively, you can add a couple of drops of olive oil to a cloth and use that to buff your sink and give it some extra shine. You only need to use a small amount and the cloth should be lint-free.
Summary
Cleaning your stainless steel sink is quick and easy, but it will keep your kitchen looking fresh and bright. Be sure to use our steps to transform your sink into a sparkling wonder in your kitchen!
