How to Maintain and Clean Stainless Steel Sinks
Stainless steel sinks are highly attractive, but they can be difficult to maintain and keep free of hard water stains and streaks. Using the wrong types of cleansers can be corrosive to this type of sink and rusting may occur if left alone. If you currently have a stainless steel sink it is important to know how to keep it clean and how to maintain it so that it always looks its best.
Items needed:
- Cloth or sponge
- Towels
- White vinegar
- Cream of tartar
- Lemon juice
Instructions:
- Dampen a soft cloth with warm water and wipe the sink bowl in a gentle, circular motion that goes with the grain. If you do not have a soft cloth, use a sponge. Avoid using anything that is abrasive and that may scratch the sink, such as steel wool. This is safe to use as daily maintenance of steel sinks.
- Use a soft dry towel to wipe up the moisture after the sink has been wiped down with the wet cloth. Keep a clean, dry towel available to wipe up any moisture that is in the sink throughout the day. This helps prevent water spots from forming. Keeping the sink dry also helps prevent the sink from rusting.
- Pour white vinegar on a clean towel if the sink is soiled with grease or other debris as opposed to just wet. This should also be used for weekly cleaning. Use the vinegar dampened cloth to thoroughly wipe the sink. After the surface has been wiped rinse any lingering vinegar away using a spray of warm water.
- Create a paste made of cream of tartar and lemon juice if the sink has begun to develop rust stains. Apply the cream of tartar mix directly to the stain and begin to scrub it gently using a non-abrasive sponge. Leave the mix on the stain for 30 minutes to one hour before rinsing thoroughly with warm water. Repeat if the stain is not removed.
- Avoid using any cleanser that contains chlorine which is corrosive and will damage stainless steel sinks.