Stainless steel sinks are great when you want durability mixed with a sleek look. To keep them looking their best, however, you’ll want to give them proper care and attention! In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to clean a stainless steel sink so that it sparkles like new. With a little effort, the right stainless steel sink cleaner, and a few tried and true techniques, your sink can remain free of buildup or stains.
Whether you’re moving out, moving in, or just wanting to enjoy some sparkle in your kitchen or bathroom, add stainless steel sink cleaning to your to-do list!
How Often Should You Clean Your Sink?
Before we dive into the cleaning process, it’s important to address how frequently you should clean your stainless steel sink. Generally, it’s a best practice to do a thorough cleaning of your sink once per week. This will help reduce buildup of stains and grime, including limescale, a chalky white deposit that occurs when hard water evaporates.
If you use your sink heavily or notice water spots or stains, we recommend giving it a heavy cleaning more often than once per week.
What to Use to Clean a Stainless Steel Sink?
If you want to buy a dedicated commercial stainless steel sink cleaner to complete the cleaning job, you definitely can. Even so, you can actually get away with using the following common products, which you might already have in your home:
- Dish soap
- Baking soda
- Nylon scrub brush
- Vinegar (white or cider)
- Spray bottle
- Cream of tartar
- Microfiber cloth
- Olive oil
Once you’ve gathered your materials, it’s time to start cleaning your stainless steel sink!
How to Clean a Stainless Steel Sink in 7 Steps
The best way to clean a stainless steel sink is to follow the tried and true methods we’ve outlined below.
1. Rinse the Sink With Hot Faucet Water
Begin by rinsing the sink thoroughly with hot water from the faucet. Make sure any surface dirt or debris is loosened and either sent down the drain disposal or caught in your drain strainer so you can throw it in the trash or compost bin. Note that when using your disposal, it’s always best to use cold water.
2. Sprinkle Baking Soda All Over the Sink
Next up is baking soda! When you need to know how to clean a stainless steel sink without scratching it, this is one of your best options. It’s also non-toxic and helps remove odors, which is why we love it!
Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda all over the sink’s surfaces, including the sides if possible. The gentle abrasiveness of baking soda will help remove stains and polish the stainless steel without causing damage.
3. Scrub the Sink With a Soft Brush
Using a soft brush (an old toothbrush or a nylon sink brush can work!), gently scrub the sink in a circular motion. Pay extra attention to areas with stains or water spots.
4. Spray the Sink With Distilled White Vinegar
Once you’ve scrubbed the sink, use a spray bottle to coat it with distilled white vinegar. The vinegar will react with the baking soda, creating a foamy mixture that helps break down the harsher stains on stainless steel sinks. On top of being one of the best stainless steel sink cleaners out there, this mixture will also disinfect the surface. You can scrub it further to make sure any buildup or stains are fully removed.
5. Rinse and Dry the Stainless Steel Sink
Once you’ve scrubbed all the stains and buildup away, rinse the sink thoroughly with hot water. This will remove the baking soda and vinegar residue and reveal any remaining stains or areas of buildup you might have missed.
Once you’ve cleaned up any remaining spots that need it, rinse the sink again with hot water before drying it with a clean microfiber cloth. This will help it avoid getting water spots while maintaining its shine.
6. To Remove Rust and Hard Stains, Create a Paste of Cream of Tartar and Vinegar
When learning how to clean your stainless steel sink, you won’t want to miss this tip! It’s great for stubborn rust and other stains.
First, create a mixture of cream of tartar (a leavening agent and stabilizer you can find in the baking section of your grocery store) and distilled white vinegar. Once the mixture has created a paste, use a sponge to scrub it against the stain. Let it sit for five minutes, and then rinse the mixture away. If the stain or rust persists, repeat this step until it’s gone.
7. Buff and Shine Your Stainless Steel Sink with Olive or Coconut Oil
If you’re wondering how to make your stainless steel sink shine after cleaning it, we have a bonus tip! Try using a microfiber cloth to apply olive or coconut oil to the sink. This step isn’t necessary, but it’s a great way to finish the cleaning process.
What Stainless Steel Sink Cleaner to Choose?
Again, you may be thinking about buying a commercial stainless steel sink cleaner when learning how to clean your stainless steel sink, but the baking soda and vinegar mix we mentioned above should indeed work for most stains.
If you prefer to buy a commercial cleaner, however, look for one specifically designed for stainless steel sinks. These cleaners are formulated to clean and protect stainless steel without causing damage, and they work for both bathrooms and kitchens.
Tips for Cleaning a Stainless Steel Sink
Whether you’re dealing with a bathroom sink or a kitchen sink, It’s important to know how to clean a stainless steel sink without scratching or damaging it. In this section, we’ll offer a few tips to help you make sure you leave your sink looking better than before.
- Avoid abrasive scrubbers like steel wool—these can leave scratches on the surface of your stainless steel.
- Don’t leave acidic or salty substances like lemon juice or salt on your sink for extended periods. Both can cause discoloration and damage.
- When cleaning your sink, make sure to scrub with the grain of the stainless steel to avoid streaks and ensure optimal luster.
- Always rinse and dry your sink after using it. This will help you avoid water spots and stains!
Now that you know how to clean a stainless steel sink properly, you can enjoy the extra sparkle it will give your kitchen. If you don’t have the time or energy to do the cleaning, however, consider booking a Tasker today!
