How to Properly Care for and Clean a Stainless Steel Sink

Stainless steel sinks are very popular because of their elegance and durability but they can soon lose their shine and become dull if you don't look after them properly. So how do you go about cleaning a stainless steel sink?

Stainless steel is an alloy containing chromium. The chromium forms an oxide film on the surface of the metal and prevents exposure to air and water that can lead to corrosion. Along with cutlery, one of the most common uses for this alloy is in stainless steel sinks. This is because of its durability compared to alternative materials like porcelain and cast iron. Because stainless steel is rust-resistant, it will keep its shine for a much longer period.

Although it is called stainless steel, this doesn't mean that it is stain proof so you need to know about cleaning a stainless steel sink. Let's now look at how to go about cleaning a stainless steel sink.

If it is only lightly stained, cleaning a stainless steel sink is easy. Just use soap and hot water and let it drain off before wiping it down with white vinegar on a clean cloth. You can also use baking soda. Sprinkle it on the sink and scrub it with a damp sponge before wiping and drying the surface with a paper towel.

If it's highly stained, cleaning a stainless steel sink can be a bit trickier. The first step is to rinse the sink with hot water and then scrub it with a sponge, wipe and rinse with water.

You can make up a mixture for cleaning a stainless steel sink with one part hot water, one part vinegar and a half part of baking soda. Scrub the sink with the mixture using a clean cloth and once it's dry wipe it off. An alternative to this mixture for cleaning a stainless steel sink is one containing three parts of cream of tartar and one part of hydrogen peroxide. Another method of cleaning a stainless steel sink is to use hot water and bleach. Fill it with hot water and after ten minutes add a cap of bleach.