Stainless steel is strong, resistant to corrosion, can withstand extremes in temperature, and is very durable. Even better, it’s completely recyclable, which means it’s environment-friendly.
That is why stainless steel lends itself to many uses in our modern world. Some of the most common are in surgical tools, architecture, and automobiles.
As you must be aware, many kitchen appliances are also made from stainless steel. Among them are kettles, plates and other utensils. For homeowners, perhaps the best-known of these is a stainless steel sink.
It is the most popular material for kitchen sinks because of the many advantages mentioned earlier. What’s more, the chromium oxide layer often added to stainless steel gives it a consistent, glossy appearance, apart from making it very tough.
It’s quite likely that you have a stainless steel sink in your own kitchen. As you know, it needs to be cleaned after every use to remove bacteria and food particles and prevent stains. What is the best way to do this? That’s exactly what we’re going to explain below.
Simple Steps to a Spotless Sink
We’ve divided this guide into two sections: daily cleaning, and weekly cleaning. A daily clean apart, it’s important to do a weekly deep clean to keep your sink hygienic and looking like new for ages.
Daily Cleaning
- First of all, make sure to rinse away any food particles and other waste. You can do this by turning on the tap and making sure the running water reaches every corner of the sink.
- At times, you may need to heat a bowl of water and use this to make sure that all the food particles are properly dislodged.
- Then, put a little dishwashing liquid on a sponge and use this to thoroughly clean the surface of the sink.
- Rinse the sink with water one more time.
- Wipe the sink down with a damp cloth. This is important to prevent water spots from appearing on the sink over time.
Weekly Cleaning
- To begin with, use hot water to carefully and thoroughly clean the surface of the sink.
- After this, you should coat the sink with baking soda. Simply sprinkle it all over. This will not only help to remove any stubborn food particles, it will also get rid of food odour. Don’t forget to use it on the tap, too!
- Now, use a soft brush or a microfibre cloth to scrub the sink well.
- To make the sink as clean as it can be, you should now spray or sprinkle some white vinegar on it. (You can use any old and clean bottle of detergent spray for this.) The area may start to foam and fizz. This is natural.
- Wash off the baking soda and vinegar thoroughly with water.
- You’re almost done. It’s time to completely dry the sink and the tap with a cloth.
- As the last step, you can coat the sink and the tap with a light layer of olive oil or coconut oil. This will make it shine like new.
A Special Tip for Kitchen Sinks
Daily and weekly cleaning will go a long way in keeping your stainless steel sink looking at its best. However, over time, you may find that the bottom of the sink has become scratched and unclean. This is natural, because of all the food, plates and cutlery that have been tossed into it.
You can prevent this from happening if you use a sink grid, also known as a bottom grid. This is a rack that fits inside the sink to protect the base. It provides a buffer that protects the sink from whatever is being placed into it.
Often, these grids are made from stainless steel or other forms of non-corrosive metal. Another advantage of sink grids is that drainage becomes easier. With a grid, plates and other utensils will not be able to clog up the water flow.
You should clean a sink grid the way that you clean sinks. Remove it from the sink and give it the same treatment before replacing it.
How to Identify a High-Quality Stainless Steel Sink
There are many types of stainless steel sinks available. Before buying one, you should make sure of exactly what material it is made from.
In India, stainless steel sinks carry an “SS” mark, or an IS certification. This is a guarantee that it conforms to standard specifications.
The best grade stainless steel is usually heavier and denser than some other materials such as aluminium. If you hold it up or try and lift one side of it in comparison with another, you will be able to tell the difference.
If you can, check the details of the grade of the stainless steel. For example, Grade 304 is considered to be the right grade for sinks. This steel is made up of at least 50% iron.
Do you have a stainless steel sink in your kitchen, or are you planning to get one? Are you moving into a new home or remodelling your kitchen? Either way, the design experts at HomeLane have tons of helpful and practical advice on how to create the best interior. Head over to HomeLane’s Design Journal for more inspiration on home improvement.
