Nobody likes a dull-looking stainless steel sink, as it looks unclean no matter how many times you wash it in a day. Therefore, it’s best to maintain your steel sink regularly so that it doesn’t become an eyesore in your otherwise perfect kitchen.
In this article we will show you how to properly maintain sinks two different textures of the stainless steel sinks:the satin finish and brushed finish.
Some of the maintaining tips
Never use steel wool, wire brushes, or other cleaning tools with metallic components to clean your sink,as they may embed iron particles that can create rust stains.
There a couple of things you can do to prevent the formation of stains.
First, don’t let acidic foods, such as pickles or mayonnaise, sit in the sink for long periods of time.
Their acidity may cause the stainless steel to corrode.
Second, we don’t recommend using a rubber mat as a sink-bottom protector as it may hold food and water residues and leave marks that are hard to remove.
To protect the bottom of your sink, we suggest investing in a stainless steel grid instead.
For day to day cleaning, first wet the surface of the sink.
Then, using the soft side of a sponge and some dish soap, wipe the surface clean.
When you’re finished, rinse thoroughly with water.
How to remove the dried food residues?
Satin finished
To remove dried food residues, you may need to use a buffing technique appropriate for the texture of your sink.
Before buffing, soak the stain in water to help it soften and dissolve.
If your sink has a satin finish with no grain, use a nylon mesh sponge.
Choose a non-abrasive cleaning powder, such as Comet, Bar Keeper’s Friend, or baking soda.
Wear gloves to protect your skin from the cleaning agent.
Sprinkle the cleaning powder onto the sponge.
Buff the sink’s surface in a circular motion, using as much force as needed to remove the residue.
When you’re finished, rinse thoroughly.
Brushed matte finish
If your sink has a brushed matte finish, use a scrubbing sponge with a rough texture.
We recommend the Scotch-Brite heavy-duty sponge.
Sprinkle cleaning powder unto the scrubbing side of the sponge.
Buff the area of the stain with firm pressure parallel to the direction of the grain.
Make sure to avoid scrubbing against the grain of your sink, as this will create scratches that are visible against the background texture of the stainless steel.
By buffing in the direction of the grain, you will not damage the sink’s finish, but instead give it a clean, polished look.
Rinse the sink thoroughly after you’re finished buffing.
How to restore the stainless steel sink’s luster?
Over time, your sink may start to look dull after accumulating scratches due to normal wear and tear.
You may also find hard-to-remove stains formed by coffee, acidic foods, or mineral deposits.
To restore your sink’s luster, apply the same technique you would use to remove dried food residues.
For sinks with brushed finishes, simply use the rough side of a heavy-duty scrubbing sponge and some cleaning powder to buff the entire surface of the sink along the direction of the grain.
Do not be afraid to apply firm pressure in the process.
For sinks with satin finishes, use the Scotch-Brite non-scratch sponge and cleaning powder to buff the entire surface of the sink in a circular motion.
Make sure to apply firm, even pressure in the process, as this will help to conceal obvious scratches and restore uniformity to the satin finish.
Do not buff the sink in a parallel motion, because this will create additional scratches on top of existing marks.
After you’re finished buffing, rinse thoroughly.
Conclusion
Stainless steel sinks are low-maintenance, durable, and elegant.
Follow these simple care instructions, and your sink will stay in great shape for years to come.
