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. 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.
When a stainless steel sink looks dull, it's often because it's been scrubbed with cleanser that contains chlorine bleach, with a bleach-loaded scrub pad, or — worst of all — fine steel wool that comes pre-loaded with detergent and bleach.
A: To prevent water spots on a stainless steel sink, you can dry it thoroughly after each use with a soft cloth or towel to avoid water residue from evaporating and leaving behind spots.
If the white spots are on a stainless steel sink, treat it in a similar way: Spray lemon juice or vinegar on the sink. Let it sit for up to 5 minutes, then sprinkle baking soda all over it. Wipe with a cloth.
Dish soap and oil Mix up a small amount of dish soap and warm water. Apply the solution to the sink with the spray bottle and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. Always wipe in the direction of the grain and finish the sink off with some oil to add a protective shine to your sink. This will leave it sparkling clean.
Distilled white vinegar (in a spray bottle) Olive oil. Microfiber cloths that are gentle on stainless steel (never an abrasive like a Scotch-Brite pad)
Make sure to use a 1:1 solution of distilled white vinegar and water. Spray it onto the sink, leave for a minute or two, then wipe and rinse. The solution shouldn't be left on the sink for longer because it can damage the stainless steel in the long term.
White vinegar's acidic nature can easily corrode stainless steel if it's not used correctly. Both dish soap and baking soda work to clean, but they often leave behind a stubborn white film.
Water spots are caused by hard mineral-rich water that is left on your stainless steel sink and then evaporates leaving behind a dirty residue on the surface. These hard water deposits are mostly magnesium and calcium that leave white-colored spots on the stainless steel when water evaporates.
Never wipe stainless steel against the metal's grain. Always wipe with the grain to prevent streaking. Try not to allow your stainless steel appliances to air dry after cleaning. Buffing them with a clean microfiber cloth minimizes streaks and spots and restores the shine.
You may be tempted to use a paper towel but paper towels may scratch the surface of your stainless steel appliances. A microfiber cloth is softer and will produce a better result.
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. More stubborn soils can be removed using a damp *Scotch-Brite pad. Be sure to rub evenly with the grain of the stainless steel.
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.
Avoid cleaners that can damage steel and finishes. Instead, clean your stainless steel appliances with a dish soap like Dawn® Platinum. Its unique formula is tough enough to break up grease and grime while staying gentle on stainless steel surfaces.
Baking soda is a powerful all-purpose cleaner. Its slight abrasiveness won't harm your stainless steel, but it will help unstick stuck-on stains. Make a thick paste with baking soda and water (here's how), and glop it on tough stains. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then wipe, rinse, and dry.
Skip the store-bought products and use distilled white vinegar as a homemade stainless steel cleaner. It's all you need to keep your stainless steel appliances, countertops, and sink looking great.
Many stainless steel appliances include cleaning instructions that advise avoiding abrasive cleaners. When using Windex to clean stainless steel, it is essential to wipe in the direction of the metal grains. In addition, you may also use oil as a type of conditioner for stainless steel after cleaning it with Windex.
Stainless Steel
Be careful. The abrasive nature of the Magic Erasers can also scratch up the finish of your stainless steel sinks and appliances, especially if you use them and press down too hard. Too much scrubbing can cause the high gloss finish that seals most stainless steel appliances to break down.