Cleaning Stainless Steel Sinks
Tips For Cleaning Stainless Steel Sinks
The procedure for cleaning stainless steel sinks is not the same as what you would do to clean other average household sinks. Stainless steel is durable and offers timeless beauty which has caused them to have an explosion in popularity in the past few years. To keep your sink looking new and brilliant then you should consistently clean your sinks as part of your daily routine.
Daily Cleaning
Cleaning stainless steel sinks should be done daily with warm water and a very soft wash cloth. The sink should be wiped in the exact direction of the way the fine lines or polish marks run and then you need to use a dry, soft towel to completely dry off the surface area of the sink. Of course, you can allow your sink to simply air dry but you are almost always guaranteed to be left with unsightly streaks and spots. To get the perfect finish that your sink deserves you should always take the time to dry it.
Expensive cleaners are not needed when cleaning stainless steel sinks. One of the most versatile household cleaners that you can use on everything from floors to mirrors and even the kitchen sink is vinegar. When using vinegar on stainless steel to clean grime and grease you do not need to dilute it to a cleaning solution like you may be used to. Simply moisten a soft cloth with water and then pour a bit of vinegar on the cloth. Polish the spot with the dirty build up always in the polish line direction. Rinse this with warm water and then dry thoroughly. If you do not have vinegar handy to use when you are cleaning stainless steel sinks in your home, you can try using dish washing liquid.
Fingerprints And Tough Stains
Fingerprints are without a doubt the biggest complaint homeowners have with stainless steel sinks. Similar to glass and mirrors, these sinks always seems to just naturally attract fingerprints. To keep your sink free of these unwanted pieces of personal art, just keep a soft cloth and glass cleaner handy to wipe them away.
If wine, beets or any other staining substance has dulled your sink then you can seek the use of commercial polishes that are available but just be sure to follow directions carefully.
Rust spots can also be a problem you may run into when cleaning stainless steel sinks. You can easily tackle these spots by making a paste with a few drops of lemon juice and approximately a tablespoon of cream of tartar. Smooth a bit of paste on the spot and scrub vigorously. Rinse clean and dry thoroughly. If the spot does not vanish the first time then you can leave the paste to sit on the spot for about an hour before you try scrubbing again.
Cautions
When you are cleaning stainless steel sinks, although they are durable, there are a few cautions that you need to be aware of.
- Always avoid the temptation of using scrub brushes or steel wool. Nothing will destroy the shiny finish of these sinks and leave unwanted marks and scratches behind faster than these two products.
- Never use any type of chlorine cleaner. These will do severe damage to your sink so avoid chlorine-based cleaners and bleach.
- Wet sponges or any other wet object should never be left on the edge of your sink or inside of it for that matter. These items should always be placed on a dish of some sort. Although stainless steel is technically resistant to rusting, prolonged water exposure can cause the development of rust stains to appear.