Make Your Stainless Steel Sink Shine How To: Make Your Stainless Steel Sink Shine Cleaning Stainless Steel Sinks has always been a pet peeve. Once it was discovered how clean and shiny they REALLY could be, the OCD about keeping them that clean....hasn't stopped. And why not when it's so simple to do? Click through the jump to check out how to use common household items to clean even the dirtiest sink naturally and in under 5 minutes. Stainless Steel sinks always seem to deceive you. Their name suggests a sink that will take care of itself, but that's rarely the case. Take clean to a whole new level when you have a few extra seconds to give your sink a bit of TLC. To clean your stainless steel sink, just mix a paste of baking soda and water. Scratches may also be removed with a very fine steel wool. Simply give the entire sink a gentle once over and it will obliterate and hairline scratches. Simply wash the residue away and continue with the rest of your cleaning. To remove water spots, simply dip your sponge in white vinegar and they should rub right off.

Rubbing alcohol also works to remove rust if your sink is suffering from a case of the "crusties." If stubborn stains seem to be ailing you (thanks to the last tenant), use a mixture of 3 parts cream of tartar to 1 part hydrogen peroxide and buff it over a stain with a cloth. Let the mixture sit and allow to dry before wiping away with a wet cloth or sponge. To add an extra kick to your sink, you can polish it with none other than All-Purpose Flour. Toss a few tablespoons of flour into the sink and rub it (some pressure is needed, but nothing that should cause a sweat to break out) around with a soft cloth. Another method is to use club soda. Simply put the stopper in the drain and pour in some of the bubbly beverage. Buff it around with a cloth, drying to prevent water spots when done. To give your sink that extra burst of shine, you can apply a few drops of baby oil to a paper towel and buff it around. It's a perfect trick to keep things spic and span! Photos by: Sink via Flickr, Baking Soda, Flour, Club Soda, White Vinegar, Rubbing Alcohol, Cream of Tartar, Hydrogen Peroxide, Baby Oil.

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. 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. 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.Hot Tub Good For Gout There is no standard on the production of stainless steel sinks in the United States. Homes For Sale Heather Highlands Auburn WaThis means the thickness and chemical makeup of each sink can be different. Weight Loss With AcxiomWhile 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. 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. 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. 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..Edit ArticleHow to Clean a Dull Stainless Steel Sink Two Methods:Thorough RestorationRegular UpkeepCommunity Q&A Long gone are the days when your stainless steel reflected your smiling face. But stop frowning at the dull, discolored surface: the right remedy can make a big improvement in just a few minutes. Once the sink is restored, a little upkeep every day or two should stop it sliding back. Choose a moderate abrasive. Abrasives can scratch your sink's finish, so use them only for an occasional restoration project, or to remove stubborn stains. Try stainless steel polish, whiting, talc, or baking soda.

Apply one of these to a slightly damp cloth. Rub in the direction of the finish lines. Most stainless steel sinks have a brushed finish.[2] Wipe parallel to the brush lines to reduce the chance of a visible scratch. Use a toothbrush with a bit of the cleanser to clean the tight areas around the faucet, and the area around the drain. Rinse the stainless steel cleanser off. Wash the cleanser off of everywhere you used it. If your sink's shine is restored, dry the sink completely with a clean towel, dabbing instead of rubbing to avoid streak marks. If your sink still looks dull, browse through the steps below for additional solutions to specific problems. Wipe away hard water spots and rust with vinegar. If your sink is clean but covered in dull white spots, dip a soft cloth in white vinegar and wipe them away.[3] This also works on rust spots. Buff with flour if the sink is still grimy. Flour is a cheap, very mild abrasive, which makes it a good choice for cleaning a large area.

If your sink still looks dirty and you have some spare time, follow these steps:[5] Dry the sink thoroughly. Any water left on the surface will turn the flour into glue. Sprinkle a light dusting of flour over the sink. Use about ¼ cup (60mL) flour for an average kitchen sink. Buff the sink in a circular motion with a soft cloth, focusing on the rim and drain where food might get stuck. Once grime is removed, brush the flour into a container and throw it in the kitchen trash. Too much flour can block the drain. Consider buffing with oil. Olive oil can boost the shine and remove streaks from your sink, but overdoing it can leave the stainless steel sticky or eventually make the appearance duller than before. If you try it, put just two or three drops of olive oil onto a soft cloth. Wipe the dry sink evenly until the entire surface is coated very lightly. Buff in small circles with the same oiled cloth for a couple minutes until you've achieved an even shine. Keep the sink dry for 24 hours if feasible.

A major clean can leave the surface of your sink temporarily damaged, especially if there was rust on the surface. Give the steel a day to restore its protective anti-rust layer, or at least dry it thoroughly after each use during this time. Clear out the sink. Wash and remove any dishes. Dispose of solid food debris. Wash steel and cast iron cookware promptly. These materials may cause rust if left in the sink too long. Choose a non-abrasive cleaning tool. Sponges, soft cleaning pads, cloths, or bristle brushes are the best tools for scrubbing stainless steel. Abrasive pads and wire brushes may scratch the finish, especially if your sink has a shiny, reflective finish. Never use steel wool or carbon steel brushes. These materials can leave behind small metal particles that cause rust. Scrub with warm water and gentle soap. For everyday cleaning, mild soap or dish detergent is enough to prevent discoloration or dulling.[12] Scrub until you've removed all debris and stains from the sink surface.

Disinfect the surface occasionally. Kitchen sanitizer products with quaternary ammonia are among the most effective disinfectants for stainless steel, and should not damage your sink's finish.[14] However, they may irritate skin or cause asthma, and in some cases can damage aquatic life when washed down the drain.[15] White vinegar is a fairly effective alternative if you are concerned with these issues.[16] In either case, use a spray bottle to coat the surface of the sink. Most kitchen sanitizers that are not bleach-based contain quaternary ammonia. To confirm this, check the ingredients list for a chemical name ending in "ammonium chloride," or for an abbreviation such as BAC, BZK, BKC, or ADBAC. Bleach-based cleaners are not recommended, as they can corrode your sink if not rinsed off thoroughly.[18] Never let bleach come into contact with residue from other cleaners, as the reaction can produce dangerous gas. Rinse with hot water. For best results, let the disinfectant sit for a least ten minutes before rinsing it off with hot water.

Wipe the sink dry. Water that evaporates on the sink surface can leave behind white spots, especially if you live in a hard water area. Wipe away moisture with a soft, dry cloth to preserve the sink's shine. Dry scrubbing tools on a different surface. Wet sponges, clothes, or dish mats can trap water on the sink surface. This can cause stains or dull spots.[21] Squeeze out excess water, then place them on a windowsill or waterproof counter to dry instead. If you're also cleaning the counters or other kitchen surfaces, clean them first. Remember that any crumbs or debris from cleaning other surfaces are likely to end up in the sink. Put your dirty dishes in the dishwasher or a dishpan—not in your sink. To keep your sink looking fabulous, do a quick, light cleaning each time you use it. Clean up food residue before it dries and don't let liquids sit for long. If you need to, use a bit of dish soap (washing-up liquid) to clean anything sticky or greasy off the surface.