How to Clean A Stainless Sink
Do you have a stainless steel kitchen sink? I’ve got one at work that is really gross. Let’s just say, it is beyond the normal daily dirt.
What’s the best way to make your stainless steel sink sparkle like the day it was installed? It’s actually easier than you think. And the good news is that you can do it using all completely natural ingredients.
Tools To Clean Your Stainless Sink
The tools you need to clean your stainless steel surface are probably things you already own. You don’t need a special stainless steel cleaner, steel wool pads, abrasive sponges or abrasive cleaners. As a matter of fact using abrasive pads can leave minor scratches and permanent damage on the sink surface. All you need are two things: baking soda and plain white vinegar. You can also use a brush or sponge and if you have some stubborn stains, you’ll need a paper towel or two.
Step-by-step guide to clean your sink
Here are the steps to take your stainless sink from gross to great. You may have to do a second round (as I did) if your sink is really dirty. There’s a trick to get rid of the more stubborn stains.
- The first step is to wet your sink with a little bit of water. You want to start out with a damp sink.
- Sprinkle the bottom of the sink with baking soda.
- Pour white vinegar over the baking soda. I put the stopper in my sink drain to keep the vinegar in the sink while I scrub. Don’t be alarmed when it bubbles up like a science experiment. It’s supposed to do that.
- Use a brush (what I like to use) or a sponge and start scrubbing the entire surface of your sink. I like to use natural ingredients, but They can require more elbow grease than harsher cleansers. I scrubbed this sink for a few minutes and then rinsed it out with warm water.
What vinegar and baking powder can’t clean?
I have tried using these two ingredients together to clean out a clogged drain in my shower. This clog is probably a combination of hair and soap scum. Unfortunately this combination did nothing to get my drain moving. Maybe it works if you have more soap scum and less hair. Read my next post about how to save your drain from hair clogs.
How to deal with stubborn stains
If you do the steps above and find there are still mineral deposits, rings, water spots, hard water deposits or stains in your sink, try this. Pour some more baking soda over the stains in your sink. Put a few paper towels over the baking soda. Pour enough vinegar on the paper towels to coat them. Let it sit for 30 minutes.
Remove the paper towels and scrub the stains again. Rinse the entire sink and you should have a nice, shiny stainless sink again.
How do I get my stainless steel sink to shine?
Contrary to what you might think, you don’t need “stainless cleaner” to give your stainless sink that extra shine. You might need to scrub a little, but you only need vinegar and baking soda to make your sink shine like the day you bought it. Check out the after photo of my dirty sink.
Does vinegar damage stainless steel?
Vinegar does not damage your stainless steel sink. It’s a great natural cleaning product. You can also use white vinegar to clean other stainless steel appliances like your refrigerator or a toaster.
I hope this helps you with your dirty stainless sink. If you liked this post, you might like how to clean water spots on your counter or how to clean a toaster oven.