Don’t fret If your sink is looking less than its best because we can show you how to clean a stainless steel sink and bring it back to its original gleaming beauty.
Introduction
Cleaning the kitchen sink often falls into the category of forgotten chores, keeping company with dusting the baseboards and vacuuming under the bed. But, shining up your stainless steel sink so that it looks like new is actually easier than you think. All you need are a few household ingredients that are probably already sitting in your pantry. Read on for a step-by-step guide on how to clean a stainless steel sink.
Tools Required
- Cleaning Cloth
- Soft Sponge
- Spray Bottle
Materials Required
- Baking soda
- Lemon or Lime
- Olive Oil
- Vinegar
Project step-by-step (7)
Step 1: Empty and Rinse the Sink
First, empty the sink entirely (including any rubber mats or metal sink grids). Then rinse the sink thoroughly with hot water, using the faucet sprayer, if you have one.
Step 2: Sprinkle Baking Soda
Sprinkle the damp sink with baking soda. Cover the entire surface of the sink with a thin layer of baking soda and be sure to include the sides.
Step 3: Scrub the Sink
Using a wet sponge or cleaning cloth, scrub the sink with baking soda. Scrub in the direction of the stainless steel grain, paying close attention to areas that are stained or have stuck-on grime. You can add a little bit more water if needed. The water and baking soda will form a paste as you scrub, coating the sink. The baking soda works as an abrasive cleaner but is gentle enough to not scratch the stainless steel surface.
Step 4: Using a Lemon, Scrub Again
Cut a lemon in half and use the lemon halves to scrub the sink again with the baking soda paste that is still coating your sink. The high acid levels in lemon juice (and lime juice!) can help to fight bacteria, not to mention freshen your sink with a lovely citrus smell.
Step 5: Rinse
Rinse away the baking soda paste and lemon juice with water. Run the used lemon halves through the garbage disposal to clean and freshen them.
Step 6: Vinegar for Water Spot
With a spray bottle filled with vinegar, spray the entire sink. Then buff the vinegar into the sink with a clean cloth, the vinegar works as a natural disinfectant and water stain remover.
Step 7: Dry and Shine with Olive Oil
Finally, dry the sink with a dry cloth, removing any remaining water or vinegar. Then, to really amp up the shine, use olive oil. Pour a small amount onto a dry cloth and rub it onto the sink, working in the direction of the grain. Wipe off any access oil and admire your glistening sink!
How Often Do I Need to Clean a Stainless Steel Sink?
Like many items in your home, you’re probably not deep cleaning your sink often enough. Of course, you want the sink to look new, but cleaning is primarily about being safe and sanitary. All kinds of things go into the sink that could contaminate it with bacteria or other microbes: Juices from raw meats and poultry, dirty produce, and food scraps make great growing media for all sorts of nasties that you don’t want to have in your sink.