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.
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.
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. The 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 stainless steel 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 Scotch rite 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 stainless steel 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.
