How to clean a stainless steel sink that is stained
How to Clean Stainless Steel Sinks and Make Them Sparkle
Maintaining the professional look of Stainless Steel Sinks, the easy care way...
Much of the beauty of stainless steel lies in its long-lasting wear and enduring good looks. Follow these few simple "how to" sink cleaning tips, and your stainless steel products from Just Manufacturing will retain their original brand new look for many years to come.
An ounce of prevention ...
Stainless steels need to be cleaned for aesthetic considerations and to preserve corrosion resistance. Some form of routine cleaning is necessary to preserve the appearance and integrity of the surface. Stainless steel sinks are easily cleaned by many different methods. They actually thrive with frequent cleaning, and, unlike some other materials, it is impossible to “wear out” stainless steel sinks by excessive cleaning.
Stainless Steel is easily kept stain-free with these simple sink cleaning tips on how to clean stainless steel sinks.
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Since most soaps and detergents contain chlorides, Just recommends rinsing of your stainless steel sink after each use.
Combine a simple daily treatment with weekly cleansing using a soft abrasive cleaner. Cleaners such as Bon-Ami, Bar Keepers Friend or other typical household cleaners are recommended. These cleaners can easily be used with warm water, sponges or clean cloths. Remember to always scrub in the direction of the polish lines so that your efforts blend with the surface of your sink. Since most soaps and detergents contain chlorides, once cleaning is complete, rinse the surface immediately to prevent corrosion. Rinsing in clean hot water leaves stainless steel shiny and germ free, all ready for the next use Ordinary carbon steel brushes or steel wool should be avoided as iron particles that are left behind can lead to rust and corrosion. Lastly, it is advisable to wipe the surface completely with clean dry towels so that the water does not evaporate and leave water spots. Avoid the use of oily rags or greasy cloths when wiping the surface. Regularly drying your sink works wonders to prevent water and surface rust marks.
Looking for that extra sparkle?
Club soda will do the sparkle trick as well. After placing the stopper in your sink, pour some club soda in and rub with a soft cloth. As always, dry with soft cloth to prevent water spots and surface rust. Baking soda makes a great stainless steel sink cleaner because it is abrasive enough to scrub away light hard water deposits and stuck-on grease and food, but not so abrasive as to scratch shiny stainless steel fixtures like faucets. Try cleaning your sink with a paste of baking soda and water. You can then rinse the sink with vinegar, which will bubble and fizz. Vinegar naturally disinfects while helping remove hard water stains from your stainless steel sink. Once your sink is clean and dry, you can easily add an extra shine. Apply a few drops of olive oil to a lint-free cloth to buff the sink and fixture until they sparkle.
Some things are best avoided:
A few DONT's for Stainless Steel care...Don't let soap cleansers, sponges, towels or rags dry on the sink's surface. They can dull the surface beneath them as well as harbor bacteria or other unwanted items. Rinse regularly to keep the chlorides found in most cleansers from affecting the natural luster of stainless. No steel wool pads should ever be used on stainless steel sinks. The iron particles that are left behind can lead to rust and corrosion. For hard-to- clean projects, try a ScotchBrite type scouring pad when the job at hand requires a little extra effort, again in the direction of the grain. Avoid leaving steel and cast iron cookware in your sink for extended periods of time. Iron plus moisture on top of stainless can lead to surface rust and staining.
Rubber dish mats, wet sponges and cleaning pads are a no-no for a lengthy stay in your sink. Since they trap water, discoloration and staining can result. Just as you don't use your cutting board to clean the dishes, don't use your sink as a cutting board. Knives and other sharp kitchen instruments will naturally damage the surface of your sink.
General Tips:
Regularly drying your sink works wonders to prevent water and surface rust marks. To keep your sink looking fabulous, do a quick, light cleaning each time you use it. Clean up waste residue before it dries and don't let liquids sit for long. Wear rubber gloves when working with cleaners to protect your hands. Never mix cleaners. Some products react to create dangerous gases. 
There are thousands of blended or compound cleaners on the market. Users are advised to contact suppliers of solvents for information on their applications on stainless steel. DO NOT USE SOLVENTS in closed spaces or while smoking.
Learn more about when and how to wash your hands a guide from the CDC, when should you wash your hands?
How to Remove Stains From Stainless Steel (3 Ways)
These Methods Work On Sinks, Pans, or Stove Tops
By
Sarah Aguirre
Sarah Aguirre
Sarah Aguirre is a housekeeping expert with over 20 years of experience cleaning residentially and commercially. Over that time, she has been writing about tips and tricks for housekeeping and organizing a home for national publications.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 07/13/22
Reviewed by
Becky Rapinchuk
Reviewed by Becky Rapinchuk
Becky Rapinchuk is a natural cleaning expert, homekeeping expert, and founder of the lifestyle brand, Clean Mama.
She has published 4 books.
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
Fact checked by
Jillian Dara
Fact checked by Jillian Dara
Jillian is a freelance journalist with 10 years of editorial experience in the lifestyle genre. She is a writer and fact checker for TripSavvy, as well as a fact-checker for The Spruce.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
The Spruce / Bailey Mariner
Project Overview
Although it is called "stainless" steel, this workhorse material for cookware, surfaces, and kitchen appliances can stain from time to time. Staining steel mishaps happen, and luckily, there are quick, simple solutions to help you start getting rid of the stains right away using water or common pantry items.
Stained metal can happen because of a cleaning issue or exposure to bleach or oven cleaner chemicals. Keep your investments beautiful and shiny by learning how to remove stains from stainless steel.
Tip
Never use harsh oven cleaners or chlorine bleach to clean stainless steel, or the surface could become marred.
| Stain Type | Chemical-based |
| Detergent Type | Dishwashing soap |
| Water Temperature | Hot |
Watch Now: How to Remove Rust and Food Stains From Stainless Steel
Equipment / Tools
Steam Cleaning
- Paper or microfiber towel
Baking Soda
- Paper towel or soft microfiber cloth
Vinegar
- Soft towel or cloth
Materials
Steam Cleaning
- Boiling water
- Paper or microfiber towel
Baking Soda
- Baking soda
- Liquid dishwashing detergent
Vinegar
- White vinegar
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
Before You Begin
Stainless steel is a steel alloy that contains a minimum of 10.
5 percent chromium. Chromium gives the steel its corrosion resistance. Rather than oxidizing and discoloring when exposed to air or water, chromium reacts to form a thin protective coating on stainless steel. Although this protective layer can be scrubbed away, the protective film quickly reforms, which is why stainless steel surfaces seem indestructible in a kitchen.
This shiny material can be scratched fairly easily. This is less problematic with a matte-finish surface, like that found on some sinks, but shiny stainless steel requires some care to remove stains without scratching the finish.
Examine your stainless steel surface and determine if it has a grain pattern. While the metal itself is solid, the process by which the manufacturer polished the surface may leave it with faint directional scratches. Whenever you scrub a stainless steel surface—even if using so-called "non-scratch" pads—try to gently rub the stains in the same direction as the grain already present on the surface.
How to Remove Stains With Steam Cleaning
Many stains will be lifted from stainless steel by the action of steam vapor.
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Heat Water
Heat water to boiling in a kettle with a spout that will allow you to pour the hot water safely.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
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Place Towel on Surface of Stain
Place a paper towel or microfiber towel over the stained surface.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
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Pour Hot Water on Towel
Pour enough of the boiling water onto the paper towel to wet it. Allow the steam to work for five to 10 minutes.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
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Rub Surface Along the Grain
Once the surface has cooled, rub the surface with the paper towel, moving with the direction of the grain. If this does not remove the stain, try the next solution.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
How to Remove Stains With Baking Soda and Dish Soap
Baking soda mixed with liquid dish soap makes a good paste that can gently rub out stains.
Baking soda is a very fine abrasive that is unlikely to seriously scratch the stainless steel surface.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
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Mix Baking Soda and Dish Soap
Mix half a cup of baking soda and a squirt or two of liquid dish soap to create a thick paste. Scoop up the paste with a microfiber cloth or another soft cloth and then rub it on the stain, moving back and forth in the same directions as the grain in the metal.
Warning
- Do not use standard abrasive cleaners on stainless steel and prevent them from contacting the metal.
- Never use steel wool, wire brushes, or other abrasive cleaning tools on stainless steel. Non-scratch vinyl scrubbing pads can be used.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
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Rinse and Towel Dry
After rubbing, rinse the stainless steel surface thoroughly and towel it dry. Examine the surface. If this has not removed the stain, try the next technique.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
How to Remove Stains With Vinegar
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
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Pour Vinegar on the Surface
Pour a little white vinegar onto the stained surface.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
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Let Sit
Let it sit for a few minutes; the gentle acid in the vinegar may lift out the stains.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
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Rub Stain in the Direction of the Grain
Rub the stain with a soft cloth, following the grain of the steel.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
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Rinse and Towel Dry
Rinse thoroughly and dry the surface with a clean towel. Examine the stained area; if discoloration still is present, you should consider a commercial product.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
As a last resort, if the stains still do not budge, try a stainless steel cleaner and polisher. Bar Keepers Friend is one such powder formula that can clean without excessive scratching. Follow the directions, rinse thoroughly, and towel dry.
The best way to shine your kitchen sink
- City N
- Articles
In the kitchens of most Russian houses, stainless steel sinks are installed: they are inexpensive, durable, resistant to high temperatures and serve their owners for decades.
But stainless steel sinks also have disadvantages. For example, water leaves ugly marks on a steel surface, and such sinks are quickly covered with a coating of grease and dirt. That is why a stainless steel sink requires special care and regular cleaning. We tell you how to wash a stainless steel sink without the help of household chemicals and what cleaning products are contraindicated for it.
- How to clean a stainless steel sink
- How to make a sink shine
- How not to clean the sink
How to clean a stainless steel sink
To quickly remove water stains and dirt from a stainless steel sink, you will need table vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. Take six tablespoons of 9% vinegar and three tablespoons of peroxide. Stir and apply the resulting solution to the entire surface of the sink. Leave for 15-20 minutes, and then remove the product with a dish sponge dipped in warm water.
How to make your sink shine
Grease your sink with a slice of lemon to make it shine.
Leave the lemon juice on the sink for 5-6 minutes, and then wash the surface with warm water and dry with a dry cloth.
What not to clean the sink
Stainless steel sinks do not tolerate cleaners with abrasive particles - in other words, powders, as they leave scratches on the metal surface. For the same reason, such a sink cannot be cleaned with metal sponges. Otherwise, your sink will get scratches and, over time, rust, even though the steel from which the sink is made is called stainless steel. And if you think your sink needs a "hard cleaning", always rub along the grain, not across.
In addition, cleaning agents containing bleach and chlorine are not recommended for stainless steel sinks. Because of them, the metal can oxidize and become covered with ugly gray and yellow spots.
Earlier news agency "In the city of N" told how to get rid of lime and bad smell in the washing machine.
Based on materials from poleznye_sovety_home_and_garden.
ru, meclean.ru, dynasty-dv.ru.
Any use of materials is allowed only if there is an active link to vgoroden.ru
Add In city N inLeonid Parfyonov supported the Dozhd TV channel* with a photograph against the backdrop of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin The Nizhny Novgorod Investigative Committee refused to give information on a person who fell from a balcony on Volodarsky Street 52.8 hectares of land in the Nizhny Novgorod agglomeration will be put up for auction in 2023
How to clean a stainless steel sink from dark spots, grease and stains
The kitchen sink made of stainless steel is attractive in appearance and, in contrast to enamel, is resistant to damage. Over time, the surface of the shell becomes dull and sometimes stained.
How to restore her former attractiveness?
Contents
- Daily Care
- Stain Remover
- Shine Up
- Revised
- Maintenance Instructions
- Wash dirty dishes, emptying the bowl completely.
- Clean the drain hole of food debris and remove the protective mesh.
- Using a soft sponge, apply soda gruel, dishwashing liquid or laundry soap to the bottom and walls of the sink.
- After 10 minutes, clean the stainless steel sink from grease and other dirt with the hard side of the sponge. Be sure to wash the mesh on both sides and the drain hole.
- Rinse off detergent residue with hot water and then, as an additional disinfection, pour boiling water over the bowl.
- Wipe dry after a few minutes with a natural fiber cloth (preferably cotton). If this is not done, then ugly streaks may remain on the stainless steel sink.
- Toothpaste (powder). The paste (not transparent) is applied to the stain, and then rubbed with a cotton pad.
The powder is used in the form of a thick slurry in the same way. - Paste GOI. The only "chemical" exception in the list of folk remedies. It is usually used to make metal products shine. But for a kitchen sink, it is better to use it locally. The paste is rubbed into the stain with a soft, lint-free cloth until it brightens.
- Potato. The root crop and products from it are used as follows:
- The raw tuber is cut into large pieces and the contaminated places are rubbed with a cut.
- Hot potato broth is poured into a covered sink. When the liquid has cooled (after 20-25 minutes), the bowl is polished with a cloth or sponge.
- Potato starch. The powder is poured onto a damp sponge and a stainless steel sink, previously doused with warm water, is cleaned.
- Vinegar 9%. It is applied to the surface of the sink, previously cleaned of stains, and washed off after 20-30 minutes with running water.
You can also line the sink bowl with a vinegar-soaked cloth. - Lemon juice. To make the sink shine, it is treated with a solution (1 tablespoon per 200 ml of water) or pure juice applied to the fabric.
- Ammonia. It is used only in the form of a weak warm solution (5 drops per 1 liter of water). After treatment, rinse the sink with plenty of water.
90 Daily Care0008 It is better to prevent a problem than to solve it. This truth should be guided in everyday life. Daily care will help to avoid long-term multi-stage cleaning of the sink. It consists of the following steps:
Baking soda should only be used in combination with hot water. Cold will provoke the appearance of spots.
Stain removal
If the sink does become dull or has stubborn stains, additional cleaners will be required. Of course, you can make a choice in favor of special chemical products, but it is no less effective to clean it with folk remedies. When used correctly, they are safe, cheap and can be found in any home.
Dark gray and black spots appear on the sink due to oxidation of the protective film. It is caused by contact with cleaning agents containing chlorine, iodine, a concentrated acid solution (for example, acetic or citric). Dullness is the result of exposure to moisture. To get rid of dark spots:
See also: How to clean gas stove grates.
Add shine
Remove matt film effectively:
When working with aggressive substances (vinegar, ammonia and GOI paste), you must wear rubber gloves and open the window.
Reviewed by the editors
A far from new stainless steel sink was chosen for the experiment. After cleaning from grease and other contaminants, which the Pemolux cleaning powder successfully coped with, the surface of the sink was treated with a damp sponge with starch.
Conclusion: in the photo below, this is not so noticeable, but the result is there. The sink has become smoother, “smooth” in color. One side effect is that all the scuffs and stains left a long time ago by the chlorine-containing agent became even more visible.
