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Learning how to clean a stainless steel sink may seem simple, but it’s not as easy as you might think. Limescale and food and soap scum can build up quickly due to daily use. These stains are not only difficult to remove, they are also visible on stainless steel surfaces.
Luckily, there are methods you can use to keep these stains on the surface as well as remove stubborn stains. The good news is that you probably already have everything you need to work from home. Here’s how to clean your stainless steel sink to make it shine again.
1. Empty and rinse. First, you can’t clean the sink when it’s filled with cups and plates. Therefore, empty it and remove food residue from the fork. Give it a quick rinse to remove any stains.
2. Clean with soap. Next, you need to pre-clean the sink using a few drops of dish soap and a non-abrasive sponge. Be sure to cover the entire sink, including the walls, around any hidden crevices and plug holes. Don’t forget to click once. Wash off with soapy water afterwards.
3. Apply baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda on all surfaces while the sink is still damp. Baking soda is a great cleaner because it dissolves dirt and grease and removes stains, but its abrasiveness won’t harm stainless steel.
4. Wipe. Using a sponge (make sure it’s not abrasive), rub the baking soda in the direction of the stainless steel grains. If you examine the surface, the particle should be visible to the naked eye – it can also be felt if you touch it with your fingers.
The baking soda should form a thick paste when mixed with the remaining water. Continue rubbing until the entire surface is covered. Do not rinse.
5. Vinegar spray. For extra cleaning, now you need to spray distilled white vinegar on the baking soda. This creates a chemical foaming reaction that dissolves and removes the stain; that’s why baking soda and vinegar cleans so well.
It smells a lot, but vinegar is great at removing watermarks and limescale, so it’s worth ventilating the room and putting up with it. Wait until the solution sizzles, then rinse.
If you don’t have vinegar on hand, you can use lemon. Just cut it in half and rub some baking soda in the direction of the fibers. Like vinegar, lemon juice can be used to remove limescale and smells good too. Wash off when you’re done.
6. Solutions for stubborn stains. If the spots are still visible, you need to get your big guns out. One option is to use a proprietary cleaner such as Therapy Stainless Steel Cleaner Kit ($19.95, Amazon (Opens in new tab)). If you use alternative cleaners, make sure they are suitable for stainless steel – some cleaners and abrasive tools can damage the surface.
Alternatively, you can make a homemade solution by mixing ΒΌ cup of cream of tartar with one cup of distilled white vinegar. This will create a paste that you can apply directly to any stubborn stains. Apply it in place with a sponge and leave 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 have been removed, dry the sink thoroughly with a microfiber cloth. This is an important step, as any remaining water will form a new watermark, making your efforts redundant.
8. Apply olive oil and polish. Now that your sink is flawless, it’s time to give it some shine. Apply a few drops of olive oil to a microfiber cloth and wipe the stainless steel with it in the direction of the grain. Remove all unnecessary and you’re done.
NEXT POST: Here’s how to clean a baking dish and make it look like new in 3 easy steps (Opens in a new tab)
To keep your kitchen sparkling, check out our guides on how to clean your microwave, how to clean your oven, how to clean your waste chute, and how to clean stainless steel appliances.
If you’re thinking about tidying up and getting rid of tangled cables, you can check out how I used this simple trick to tame a tangled cable box.
Katy is responsible for everything related to the house, from kitchen utensils to gardening tools. She also talks about smart home products so is the best contact for any home advice! She has been testing and analyzing kitchen appliances for over 6 years, so she knows what to look for when looking for the best. She likes to test the mixer the most because she loves to bake in her free time.
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