How to clean a stainless steel sink so it shines without scratches

Step by step: how to clean a stainless steel sink so it shines without scratches

Safety first. Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia or Bar Keepers Friend; rinse the sink fully between products. If you use a disinfectant, follow its label contact time and rinse it off, since chlorides left on stainless steel can cause corrosion spots.

1. 1

   Empty and rinse the sink

   Take out dishes, the drain basket, the sink grid and any sponges. Rinse the basin with hot water to wash food bits down the drain.

2. 2

   Wash off grease with dish soap

   Wipe the basin, walls and rim with a soapy sponge to cut grease. Baking soda works better on a surface that is not coated in oil. Rinse.

3. 3

   Scrub with baking soda along the grain

   Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of baking soda over the wet basin and scrub with a soft sponge, following the direction of the fine brushed lines in the steel. Scrubbing across the grain leaves visible swirls.

4. 4

   Clean the drain rim, faucet base and corners

   Use an old toothbrush and the baking soda paste on the drain flange, the seam where the faucet meets the deck, and the corners. These spots collect gray film and mildew.

5. 5

   Mist with vinegar to remove water spots

   Spray white vinegar over the basin. It fizzes on leftover baking soda and dissolves the chalky white mineral spots. Leave it 1 to 2 minutes, then rinse well with warm water.

6. 6

   Treat rust spots and stains

   For orange rust specks, tea stains or dull patches, apply a little Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser to a damp sponge, rub with the grain, and rinse within about a minute. The spots should lift on the first or second pass.

7. 7

   Dry and buff the sink

   Dry the whole sink with a microfiber cloth, then buff with a second dry one. A dry sink stays free of water spots, and the steel should look even and bright.

8. 8

   Clean and replace the accessories

   Wash the drain basket and sink grid in hot soapy water, scrubbing the grid feet. Let them dry before putting them back, so water is not trapped against the steel.

How to fix common stainless sink problems

Most stainless sink problems are minerals, residue or tiny iron particles on the surface, and all of them come off with mild products. That is why the best way to clean a stainless steel sink is the gentle one: baking soda, vinegar and a soft sponge, worked along the grain.

Kohler explains that rust on a stainless sink is usually iron particles from something else oxidizing on the surface, not the sink itself rusting. It lists abrasive pads, wet rags and sponges left in the basin, rubber mats, bleach from nearby counter cleaners, and open chemicals stored under the sink as common causes.

What not to use on a stainless steel sink

Avoid steel wool, wire brushes, abrasive pads and chlorine cleaners left to sit. Kohler’s Sterling care guide advises a soft sponge or cloth, rubbing with the grain, rinsing, and drying the sink, and says chloride cleaners are not recommended or should be rinsed off right away.

• Steel wool leaves iron particles in the grain that rust within days.
• Bleach and other chloride cleaners can pit and spot stainless steel if left on. Rinse immediately after disinfecting.
• Rubber dish mats trap water and soap under them and can stain the basin.
• Oven cleaner and drain cleaner splashes can discolor the finish.

Bar Keepers Friend’s FAQ lists stainless steel as a safe surface but says to leave the product on no longer than one minute.

How to clean and sanitize a kitchen sink

Clean first, then disinfect: wash the sink with soap, then apply a kitchen disinfectant that is safe on stainless steel, leave it for the time on the label, and rinse. Do this after rinsing raw meat or thawing chicken in the sink.

• Clean the sink before you sanitize; disinfectants work poorly on a greasy surface.
• Rinse with plenty of water afterward and dry the basin.
• The drain and disposal are separate jobs; see how to clean a garbage disposal and how to clean a sink drain.
• For a white enameled or fireclay sink, the method is different; see how to clean a porcelain sink.

Mistakes to avoid

• Scrubbing with steel wool or a green scouring pad, which scratches the finish and leaves rust specks.
• Scrubbing in circles instead of along the grain, which leaves swirl marks.
• Leaving bleach or a chlorine spray sitting in the basin.
• Letting the sink air dry every night, so hard water spots build up.
• Leaving a wet cast iron pan or steel wool pad sitting in the basin overnight.