Harsh abrasive cleaning pads and scouring products can scratch the surface as you try to restore shine to a stainless steel sink. If you're in the middle of remodeling your kitchen and would like to restore your sink's shine, the following tips can help you get rid of stains and hard water deposits that dull without scratching or marring the sink.
No matter which finish you choose, a stainless steel sink can become dull and scratched if isn't cleaned regularly. Once your sink becomes scratched or dulled, food scraps and soap scum stick to it more easily. Restoring the shine may be a multi-part process, because there can be so many factors involved in dulling it such as hard water spots, scratches and food stains.
To Remove Scratches
Some finishes and weights of stainless steel scratch much more easily than others, while some have a "satin" or matte finish. Do not use this technique on a satin-finished sink; it will not buff it to a high shine.
Materials
Baking soda
Water
Fine grade steel wool
Instructions
Mix two parts baking soda to one part water to form a thick paste.
Apply the paste to the scratched areas of the sink and buff the sink using a fine grade steel wool pad.
Rinse the sink well to remove any baking soda residue.
To Remove Hard Water Stains
Hard water tends to streak and build up mineral deposits on stainless steel. To help prevent this, wipe the sink dry each time you use it.
Materials
Vinegar
Paper towel
Instructions
Soak a paper towel in white vinegar.
Apply the paper towel to the hard water stains and leave it alone for a few minutes.
Buff the sink with the vinegar-soaked towel and rinse well.
To Remove Rust
There is no standard on the production of stainless steel sinks in the United States. This means the thickness and chemical makeup of each sink can be different. While most stainless steel sinks do not rust, some older models may begin to rust around the edges over time. Luckily, this can be cleaned away.
Materials
Rubbing alcohol
Soft cloth
Instructions
Soak a soft cloth in rubbing alcohol and use it to buff the rusty areas on the sink.
Rinse well and wipe dry.
To Remove Stubborn Food Stains
Depending on the finish of your stainless steel sink, some foods may leave behind a discoloration or stain that can be difficult to rinse away.
Materials
Hydrogen peroxide
Cream of tartar
Soft cloth
Instructions
Mix together 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 3 parts cream of tartar.
Rub the resulting paste into the stains on the sink and allow it to sit for several minutes.
Wipe away the paste and rinse well with water.
To Restore Polish
If your sink has merely dulled, but isn't stained or scratched, it can be buffed up a little to help bring back the shine.
Materials
All-purpose flour
Soft, dry cloth
Instructions
Pour some flour into a clean, dry sink.
Use the cloth to buff the flour around the sink. Press down hard with the cloth as you rub.
Cleaning your sink on a regular basis with a commercial cleaner made for stainless steel will help preserve its shine and prevent dulling. Try any of these brands as your regular sink cleaner to help keep it shining longer.
Once you've restored the shine to your sink, be sure to flush the surface with clean water at the end of each day to rinse away acids, salts and minerals that can pit and dull the stainless surface. Then take a moment to dry the sink and restore the shine. These few steps will help keep your sink looking new..
