My sink really gets a work out - between dirty dishes being placed in there and then getting filled with soapy water to clean those dishes. It can get really dirty without a daily cleaning!
However, with just a few ingredients that you probably already have around the house (like baking soda, cream of tartar, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, flour, and olive oil), you can easily clean, polish, and shine your stainless steel sink.
How to Clean your Sink:
Sprinkle baking soda around your sink and add warm water to form a paste. Use a scrubbing sponge and an old toothbrush to clean the entire sink. If you have stains in your sink, you can apply a paste of cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide to the stains. After the paste has dried, wipe it off with a wet cloth. You can also use vinegar to remove any rust or water spots.
Make sure your sink is as clean and dry as you can get it before you move on to the next finishing steps.
How to Polish your Sink:
Sprinkle a tablespoon of flour in your dry sink and use a cloth to polish the stainless steel by rubbing the sink and flour. Rinse and dry.
How to Shine your Sink:
Use a few drops of baby or olive oil on a cloth to shine your sink by rubbing all stainless steel surfaces of the sink.
Hopefully after using these steps, you'll have a stainless steel sink that looks like new again!
How to Clean {and Polish} a Stainless Steel Sink
Materials
- Baking Soda
- Cream of Tartar
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Vinegar
- Flour
- Olive Oil
Tools
- Old Toothbrush
- Dry Cloth
Instructions
- Sprinkle baking soda around your sink and add warm water to form a paste.
- Use a scrubbing sponge and an old toothbrush to clean the entire sink.
- If you have stains in your sink, you can apply a paste of cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide to the stains. You can also use vinegar to remove any rust or water spots.
- After the paste has dried, wipe it off with a wet cloth.
- Make sure your sink is as clean and dry as you can get it before you move on to the next finishing steps.
- Sprinkle a tablespoon of flour in your dry sink and use a cloth to polish the stainless steel by rubbing the sink and flour. Rinse and dry.
- Use a few drops of baby or olive oil on a cloth to shine your sink by rubbing all stainless steel surfaces of the sink.
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S Taylor says
I use soft scrub, scrub with a sponge and rinse and somewhat dry, then follow up with Shaklee Basic Cleaner Mix and wipe dry with a microfiber cloth and mine looks just like new!
William H says
I listened as you described the process of cleaning a stainless steel sink.
Your process is far to long. How about using a product called BKF, follow the direction. and the finished job "WoW!!
Thanks
Corrie C says
I've heard that using Bar Keeper's Friend for cleaning works great also! I was trying to go with more natural ingredients for my cleaning process, which is why I used such a variety.
Marilyn Lawton says
What kind of sponge do you use without scratching it. Thanks
Corrie C says
Just a regular sponge.
Marie says
Just use one of those Mr. Clean magic sponges and water. Works great..doesn't scratch.
DIXIE says
It says right on the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser box not to use it on stainless steel. Since they are the manufacturers they should know.
Sheila says
Magic Eraser sponges clean and shine stainless steel sinks in a jiffy. I also use baking soda occasionally- it cleans, shines, and freshens the drain.
Rohan says
What is BKF
Corrie C says
I believe it stands for Bar Keeper's Friend.
Yoshana says
Can I use this method on my steel countertops?
Corrie C says
Yes, it would work just as well on steel countertops as your sink.
Jroulo says
I would not use a scotch Brite on my stainless steel sink. Especially a new one with put micro scratches in the surface making it appear dull. The baking soda and the flour are recommended because they are gentle scrubbers that will not scratch. There is no need for using a scrubbing sponge. A microfiber cloth will do the job.
Paula says
Wow! I never thought of making my sink “shine”, especially with oil! Going to try this as I’m just now working on getting items clean and sparkling that I never have before, thank you!