Stainless steel sinks also resist chipping and cracking, however, are likely to be scratched through everyday use and often show water spots. Although they are easy to clean, they require regular maintenance to look their best. If you don't wipe them out regularly, they can quickly look dingy.
As consumers learned how to keep the surfaces of stainless steel appliances free of smudges and streaks by using the right cleaners and techniques, they discovered that stainless steel surfaces do get scratches over time from other metals hitting the surface, minerals in hard water, or over-abrasive cleaning.
Why is my new stainless steel sink showing scratch marks after only a few weeks? Brand new but a few little scratches already: your stainless steel sink will be a little susceptible to this at first. However, there's no need to worry. This is completely normal, even with our top quality stainless steel.
A stainless steel sink is the most durable and low-maintenance kitchen sink as they are resistant to heat, stains, and scratches.
To reduce scratches on stainless steel, apply a fine layer of toothpaste with a soft cloth in the direction that your custom stainless steel panel has been brushed. Leave to dry then rinse with soapy water before drying with a microfibre cloth.
It can even remove scratches off not only your pots and pans but your dishes too. ' When cleaning stainless steel appliances or cleaning stainless steel sinks, or porcelain dishes and sinks, opt for the cleanser, soft cleanser, or spray foam varieties of Bar Keepers Friend to prevent scratching surfaces.
The most common option for a kitchen sink material is stainless steel. This material is well-known for its water-resistance, durability, and scratch-resistance, and is also often recognized for superior rust-resistance and antimicrobial properties. Stainless steel is an excellent choice for just about any kitchen.
Stainless Steel
When choosing your kitchen sink, you pretty much can't go wrong with stainless steel. This top kitchen sink material is extremely durable and able to withstand heavy drops from pots and pans while also resisting scratches from sharp knives and utensils.
For moderate to heavy soil – Stainless Steel ONLY:
Use a clean, damp sponge or soft cloth. A mild abrasive cleaner such as *Cameo Stainless Steel Cleaner, or *Soft Scrub (without bleach) can be used, remembering to always wipe with the grain.
THICKER GAUGES
A better quality stainless steel kitchen sink is the 18-gauge, which is 0.0500 inches. Many home improvement choices recommend 16 to 18 gauges as a good choice for a stainless steel kitchen sink. The more costly, a 16-gauge stainless sinks is often touted as a luxury sink and are 0.0625 inches thick.
Three microfiber cloths: These won't scratch your appliance as you wipe it down. You'll need two cloths for washing and one cloth for drying. We like these microfiber cloths from Amazon Basics, but any type will do.
Stainless steel sinks typically last 15 to 25 years and are most often replaced because of interior renovations or upgrades rather than degradation of the sink itself. In addition, Stainless steel requires only minimal maintenance, which is both economical and good for the environment and society.
On the flip side, the main advantage of sinks with a thicker gauge—like 16 gauge stainless steel sinks—is that they're more durable and can withstand wear and tear without denting or scratching as easily. While thicker gauge sinks are more expensive than thin gauge sinks, they're still extremely affordable.
If you prioritize style, sound absorption, and a luxurious look, a quartz sink might be the best option for you. On the other hand, if you value durability, versatility, and a more affordable price point, a stainless steel sink could be the way to go.
Durability - It's nearly impossible to scratch or chip fireclay, and they're much less likely to crack or scratch compared to cast iron. Because of the finish, fireclay sinks are unlikely to discolor, rust, or fade over time.
Porcelain Kitchen Sinks
Strong and durable, porcelain sinks hold up well over time when cared for. Porcelain sinks are available in a wide range of colors. Porcelain can mimic the look of natural stones, like marble. It's a low maintenance material that's easy to clean.
You'll need a microfiber cloth and a bottle of olive oil. You don't even need the expensive stuff for this job. Add a few drops of the oil to your cloth and buff your stainless steel in the direction of the grain — horizontal or vertical. Keep buffing until all those smudges are gone and scratches are filled.
Light scratches are the easiest to remove and can often be easily buffed out using a non-abrasive cleanser: If using a powder, mix with a little water to form a paste. Dampen your cloth and apply a small amount of liquid cleaner or paste and rub the solution firmly back and forth over the scratch, following the grain.
I'm talking about the rough, scrubby green side of a yellow Scotch-Brite sponge and the green Scotch-Brite cleaning pads. This heavy-duty version of Scotch-Brite will dull and destroy stainless steel's luster and surface beauty. It's great for other applications but NOT to clean or polish stainless steel. Just don't.