HOW TO CLEAN A STAINLESS STEEL SINK

A stainless steel sink loses its shine when it's covered in dirt, sticky smudges, water spots and streaks.

When cleaning a stainless steel sink, it's important to note that harsh abrasives, scouring powders or steel wool, as well as cleaning products containing chlorine, bleach and ammonia all have the potential to damage the finish. Even plain water can leave unsightly marks and spots if not utilized properly.

Additionally, home remedies such as white vinegar, dish soap, baking soda or olive oil may not always provide the desired results in your steel cleaning.

White vinegar's acidic nature can easily corrode stainless steel if it's not used correctly. And both dish soap and baking soda might work to clean, but they often leave behind a stubborn white film. Neither of these cleaning methods is ideal.

To clean a stainless steel sink effectively, it's important to determine the direction of the grain. The grain is the brushed finish of stainless steel, and it's different from surface-to-surface.

Your stainless steel's grain will be faint lines running either horizontally or vertically, and it's important that you scrub your sink back-and-forth or up-and-down in the direction of the grain for optimum shine. If you mistakenly wipe against the grain, soils may sink deeper into the grain of the surface, resulting in more difficult removal.

DIRECTIONS FOR CLEANING A STAINLESS STEEL SINK:

Oil-based stainless steel cleaners are popular but often contain strong solvents or toxic petroleum distillates that Simple Green does not, making our All-Purpose Cleaner a better choice.

1. Dilute Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner 1:10, one part cleaner to 10 parts water.
2. Apply cleaner. Spray Simple Green onto a clean, lint-free cloth, microfiber or damp paper towel with water.
3. Polish in zig-zag motions along the sides of the sink and onto the bottom.
4. Wipe along the grain of the stainless steel surface.
5. Buff with a clean, non-abrasive dry cloth or microfiber to your desired luster. Do this immediately after wiping clean to avoid water stains.

TIP: If you've cleaned your sink but still notice a lingering odor, the problem may be your garbage disposal. Clean it out with Simple Green and some warm water – learn how here.