Restore Shine to a Stainless Steel Sink

Benefits of Stainless Steel Sinks

Stainless steel sinks are a good choice for any kitchen for a variety of reasons. They are:

• Low cost
• Lightweight
• Almost unbreakable

These sinks are manufactured in a number of sizes and thicknesses and are easy to clean. However, sinks are made with various qualities of stainless steel. Note that light-gauge stainless steel is more susceptible to dents and scratches. So if you're replacing your kitchen countertops and your current stainless sink is good quality, it's worth cleaning it up and keeping it.

Finishes, Styles and Cost

Finishes

Stainless steel sinks have become popular enough to offer a variety of finishes. Finish makes a difference in how visible scratches and scuffs appear.

• Mirrored finish - shinier appearance
• Brushed stainless - scratches are less visible
• Satin bowls with mirrored rims

Styles

Stainless kitchen sinks are available in one bowl, two bowl, or three bowl styles. Depending on your taste, the sink you choose can be either deep or shallow. Single bowl sinks are considered basic. Their depth varies from 10 inches to 12 inches. Picking a two and three bowl sink style adds to your work space and is great for multi-tasking. Double bowl sinks allow you to still use your garbage disposal while dishes are in the second sink bowl.

Cost

The cost of a stainless steel sink depends on a variety of factors. These include:

• Manufacturer's brand image
• Size of the sink
• Finish
• Extra or special features

The August 2007 Consumer Reports featured a report on sinks, which says, "For our sinks review, we compared thick stainless steel sinks to thin ones...Months of testing found that the sink manufacturer isn't as important as the material."

Tips to Restore Shine to a Stainless Steel Sink

No matter which finish you choose, when a stainless steel sink isn't cleaned regularly it can become dull and scratched. Once your sink becomes scratched or dulled, food scraps and soap scum stick to it more readily. There are a variety of ways to restore shine to a stainless steel sink including both non-commercial products and commercial cleansers. One you restore the shine, purchase a small rubber mat to fit the bottom of the sink to protect it.

Non-commercial Cleansing Agents

• Vinegar – Hard water tends to streak and build up mineral deposits on stainless steel. To help prevent this, wipe the sink after you use it. But to remove scale and streaks caused by hard water, soak a paper towel in white vinegar. Place the paper towel directly on the deposits for up to 30 minutes. When the time is up, rinse the sink thoroughly and dry the sink's surface.
• Hydrogen peroxide - This chemical leaves a stainless steel sink sparkling. Pour it onto a scrubby sponge and scour the sink. The peroxide will foam a little as it not only cleans but disinfects. When you're done, rinse and shine.
• Club soda – Pour directly into sink and scrub with a gentle scouring pad.
• Rubbing alcohol – Use to remove water spots. Dampen a cloth with rubbing alcohol and wipe sink. Rinse and dry.
• Lighter fluid – For rust stains, rub stain with lighter fluid. When rust is gone clean with a cleanser, rinse and dry.
• Baking soda – Combine a 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup water and rub it into the sink with a clean towel. Rinse and shine with a dry towel.

Commercial Cleaners

Use a gentle scouring pad when cleaning your stainless steel sink with any of the following products. Follow by rinsing and drying the sink to a shine.

• Bon Ami
• Soft Scrub
• Stainless Steel Cleaner (made by Iris)
• Bartenders Secret
• Bar Keepers Friend
• Windex Multi-Surface Cleaner with Vinegar
• Bleach – To use bleach to restore shine to your stainless steel sink, fill the sink to the brim with very hot water. Add one cup of household bleach and let it stand for one hour. Wear rubber gloves to drain the sink and be careful not to splash the bleach solution on your clothes. Rinse the sink and shine.

Keep that Shine

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..