How to Prevent Stainless Steel Sink from Scratching

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A kitchen sink is a widely used part of the house. All dishes, plates, glasses, fruits, vegetables, utensils, and other kitchen crockery items are washed in the kitchen sink. That is why modern kitchens are renovated with stainless steel farmhouse sinks.

To keep it glossy and new, you must prevent the stainless steel sink from scratching. Washing the stainless steel sink with abrasive cleaning pads is one of the major causes of scratches. You can easily protect the stainless kitchen sink from scratch by following a few simple tips.

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How to Prevent Stainless Steel Sink from Scratching

Empty and Rinse The Sink

The first thing to do is empty the sink to scrub it without damaging it. Ensure that there are no dishes, leftovers, or any other kitchen utensils in your stainless-steel sink. It would be best if you rinsed the sink with fresh water. If you have a garbage disposal, make sure that its blades are clean.

A soft cleaning cloth with a mild cleaning agent can be used to avoid scratches in the stainless steel sink. After doing your dishes, gently pour hot water and use a soft, clean cloth with mild cleaning detergent.

Make sure to clean your sink after each use. This routine will help you in keeping your sink germ-free and sparkling. Once the sink is emptied and rinsed, it is not time to use baking soda to clean the kitchen sink effectively.

Sprinkle Baking Soda

After emptying the sink, sprinkle some baking soda on its surface. It will help in removing the grease and food particles.

Baking soda is a mild abrasive, and it will not damage the surface of your stainless-steel sink. Baking soda proves to be a cost-effective cleaning agent, and it will help you enhance the sink’s life.

When baking soda is sprinkled in the sink, leave it for some time, and then use rubber mats to clean the sink.

Scrub For Deep Cleaning

Using rubber mats is an effective technique to prevent stainless steel sinks from scratching. Rubber mats avoid the excessive rubbing of utensils and crockery. They are available for the top and bowl part of the stainless steel sink.

Rubber mats not only help the stainless steel sink avoid scratches but also make sure that your sink remains glossy and new for a long time. These mats are durable, detachable, and washable. You can choose the size and design of the rubber mats according to your requirements.

Regular cleaning is the best way of preventing water spots on stainless steel sinks. Little care and regular cleaning can extend its life and shine.

The stainless steel sink has to deal with water and dirty crockery. Leaving water droplets on the stainless steel sink can lead to water spots that can be hard to remove and cause scratches on removing.

To avoid such a situation, it is required to perform regular cleaning. Make sure to clean your stainless steel sink every day thoroughly. After washing your stainless steel sink, using a clean, dry cloth can avoid water spots. After scrubbing the kitchen sink, it is time to spray vinegar on the sink.

Apply Vinegar

It is scarce that you find spots or stains on any stainless steel sink. Only hard water tends to build up mineral deposits on stainless steel. The best way to prevent water spots is to wipe the sink with a dry cloth after using it. If in case you forgot to dry out the sink and water spots are formed, don’t panic.

You need to soak a paper towel in white vinegar and place it on the stainless steel sink for 30 minutes. When the times up, wash the sink with water and use a clean cloth to dry it thoroughly. Never use any rough material or another steel item to remove the spots as it can cause scratches.

The acidic nature of vinegar will help in removing stubborn stains from your stainless-steel sink. Use a soft sponge to scrub the surface softly for a few minutes. When the sink is cleansed using vinegar, it is advised to polish the surface using olive oil.

Apply Olive Oil For Removing Water Spots

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It is best to polish the surface using some olive oil or lemon juice because they do not contain any harsh chemicals. Apply a small amount of oil on a soft cloth and wipe the sink’s surface.

This will help remove water spots and other blemishes from the stainless steel sink. You can also use mineral oil for this purpose.

You can easily prevent the stainless steel sink from scratching by following these simple steps. Make sure that you clean the sink regularly to keep it free from dirt and stains.  These steps should be performed regularly to keep your kitchen sink in pristine condition.

How To Keep Food from Sticking To Stainless Steel Sink

Sometimes, it becomes hard to remove the food particles sticking to the stainless steel sink. It mostly happens when you show carelessness in cleaning. By adopting a few precautionary measures, you can avoid sticking food to stainless steel sink.

  • Always wash the stainless steel sink after using it.
  • Never leave unwashed utensils and crockery in the stainless steel sink.
  • After cleaning the stainless steel sink, apply a few drops of olive oil to the surface. Use a dry clean cloth to buff it all over the surface. It will keep the sink shinny and avoid sticking food particles. 
  • Coating baking soda on the surface of the stainless steel sink will keep food from sticking.
  • Undiluted vinegar can also be used to form a protective layer. Spray undiluted vinegar on the surface of the stainless steel sink and wait for a few minutes. Rinse the sink with water to avoid sticking food to the stainless steel sink.

How To Take Care of Stainless Steel Sinks

The stainless steel sink is a daily use item in the kitchen. Proper care of stainless steel sinks can keep their shine for an extended period. By adopting a few simple steps, anyone can maintain stainless steel kitchen sink.

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Daily Cleaning: Cleaning is the best preventive measure against rust and stains. Always make sure to clean your stainless steel sink after washing your dishes or other kitchen utensils.

Scrub In The Direction Of Polish: Always remember to scrub in the direction of the polish lines. It will blend with the surface of your sink.

Avoid Using Oily Or Greasy Clothes For Cleaning: Never use oily pads or greasy cloths for cleaning your stainless steel sink as they can damage the surface. Using greasy pads will create a layer of sticky oil on the surface of the sink. It will not only damage the shine of the sink but can also cause it to rust.

Don’t Leave Sponge Or Wet Clothes: Wet clothes or sponges left in the stainless steel sink can cause rust and spots on the surface. Make sure to remove all the cleaning essentials from the sink after using them.

Don’t Use Your Sink As Your Cutting Board: Using a stainless steel sink for cutting can cause scratches on its surface. Knives have sharp edges, and when they strike with the stainless steel sink, they cause scratches.

Apply Olive Oil Or Baby Oil: Always use a dry cloth or microfiber cloth for cleaning the stainless steel sink. Once the sink is dried, apply a few drops of olive or baby oil to make it glossy and rust-free.

Avoid Chlorine Or Chloride For Cleaning: Strong detergents and cleaning agents can cause scratches in stainless steel sinks. Especially avoid those cleaning and polishing agents that contain chlorine or chloride. Cleaning agents that contain ammonia or ammonia-based compounds are safe for cleaning stainless steel sinks. 

Avoid Prolonged Pilling Of Utensils And Crockery: Prolong pilling of iron utensils, and crockery can cause scratches on the surface due to rubbing. Utensils like forks and knives have sharp edges, which cause scratches.

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Final Thoughts

Whether your goal is to get scratches out of a stainless steel sink or avoid them together, these simple steps will help keep your kitchen sink looking shiny and new.

Remember that deep cleaning is key to maintaining any metal surface but don’t forget about regular upkeep for removing scratches from the stainless steel sink.

With the help of household items such as baking soda, olive oil, and vinegar, you will be able to clean your sink and prevent scratching on it. The more often you maintain your stainless steel sink, the longer it will last