Cleaning and Maintaining Stainless Steel Sinks

The do's and don'ts of stainless steel

Stainless steel sinks have become very popular due to their low cost, light weight and resilience. This material is exceptionally durable, it does require some care to maintain its durability as well as its finish.

Stainless steel is an iron alloy with a small amount of chromium that is used to form the hard oxide coating on the surface. The coating is extremely tough, but when it is worn off, through normal wear and tear, the metal will rust like regular steel.

Care and feeding of your new sink

By following a few simple, but important rules, a stainless steel sink can be easily maintained and looking like new for years to come.

Do... use a rubber or plastic mat in the sink to cut down on the scratching and scuffing that comes from pans and tableware.

Do… clean and polish with a soft cloth or paper towels. Use with a solution of dish washing liquid detergent and water, but take care to thoroughly rinse the solution off of the stainless steel.

Do… rinse thoroughly after each and every use. The chlorides found in most soap and detergents, as well as salt concentrations in many foods can be detrimental to stainless steel.

Do… dry the sink after each use. Drying stainless steel helps prevent deposits of minerals from building up and keeps the finish looking new.

Do… clean and polish the stainless steel sink once a week to ensure a maximum life.

Do… use a cloth dipped in white vinegar or ammonia to brighten the finish.

Do… use baking soda and water to remove stubborn stains, rubbing with the ribbon grain of the finish. Going against it with a grainy substance can cause scratching, scuffing and will erode the chromium layer.

Don't… use abrasive materials or chemicals, like scouring powders, be used on stainless steel. This will quickly erode the chromium layer and make the steel vulnerable to rust. Chlorides can also cause surface pitting.

Don't… use steel wool to clean stainless steel. Not only will it damage the finish, steel wool has a tendency to break apart and particles can become embedded in the surface and rust.

Don't… leave wet cloths or sponges on the sink surface. This can hasten the rust process.

Don't… set hot pans directly onto the sink's surface.

Don't… cut on a stainless steel sink.

More information on sinks