Cleaning Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
Stainless steel sinks are the most common kitchen sink material in Ontario homes and among the most forgiving if cleaned correctly — and among the easiest to inadvertently dull or scratch with the wrong approach. Here's the right approach.
Routine Cleaning
Rinse the sink after each use — food residue and acidic liquids (lemon juice, vinegar, tomato) left sitting on stainless steel cause surface etching and discolouration over time. For a daily clean, dish soap on a soft cloth or sponge, rinsed thoroughly and dried with a cloth, maintains a clean sink without risk.
Hard Water Deposits
Ontario's hard water leaves chalky calcium deposits around the drain and on the sink floor where water pools. A few drops of dish soap mixed with white vinegar on a soft cloth, applied and left for 5 minutes, dissolves most mineral deposits. For severe calcium buildup, a paste of cream of tartar and a few drops of water applied with a soft cloth and scrubbed in the grain direction of the steel removes stubborn deposits.
Restoring Shine
After cleaning, dry the sink completely with a cloth — water spots from Ontario hard water dull stainless steel quickly. A small amount of baby oil or mineral oil rubbed in the grain direction of the steel restores shine and provides a temporary water-repellent barrier that reduces future water spotting. A dedicated stainless steel polish (Bar Keepers Friend, available at most Ontario grocery stores, is the standard recommendation) removes scratches and restores a mirror finish on dull stainless steel sinks.