Regular usage can make your stainless steel sink dull in no time. Even if you clean the sink on a regular basis, it is very difficult to bring back the lost sheen with just soap and water. The trick is to have a deep cleaning done on it at least once in a while to bring back the original look of the sink.
Here are few tips to clean a stainless steel sink and bring back its original glow
Be gentle
Never use a harsh abrasive solution for cleaning your sink as it can leave scratches on it. Instead, you can use baking soda, or a stainless steel polish and apply them using a damp cloth. Wipe the cloth along the brushed finish of the sink so that it does not leave any scratches.
Clean tight areas
To clean the faucet or other tight areas of the sink, apply the cleaner onto an old toothbrush and scrub and clean the areas.
Use vinegar and flour
Once you have cleaned the sink and it looks bright and shiny, you can use a towel to dab and clean the sink. If there are dull white spots or rust in the sink, dip a cloth in white vinegar and wipe the area.
If the sink still looks grimy, you can use flour to clean it. For this, dry the sink completely and sprinkle about ¼ cup of flour onto the sink surface. Using a soft cloth, polish the sink in a circular motion. Be sure to remove the flour completely from the sink so that it does not clog the drain.
Use olive oil as an alternative
Another method to bring back the lost sheen of the sink is to use olive oil. For this, first, make sure the sink is completely dry. Put a few drops of olive oil in a soft cloth and rub the sink in circular motion until you can see the surface shine.
Upkeep the sink
Deep cleaning is only half the job. Regular upkeep will ensure the sink stays fresh and clean.
- Never leave iron cookware in the sink for long. Iron can rust and leave stains on the sink.
- Never use steel or other abrasive scrubbers to clean the sink as they can leave scratches. If the steel particles of the scrubber are left behind, then they can even rust and damage the sink. Use a non-abrasive scrubber, soft pad, or cloth for cleaning the sink.
- Dish detergent and water are the best products for everyday cleaning of the sink.
- Be sure to disinfect the surface of the sink regularly with white vinegar. Pour the vinegar and let it sit for some time then rinse with hot water and wash the sink.
- Never use a bleach-based cleaner as it can corrode the sink.
- Once you finish using the sink, wipe it dry with a cloth. Leaving water residue can sometimes lead to build up of stains especially in areas with hard water.
Maintaining a stainless steel sink is not a hard task. If you scrub and clean it regularly with the right products, then your sink will remain bright and clean for a long time.