Stainless steel sinks are the most common type of sinks used in kitchens. They are favoured for their lasting beauty, versatility and resilience. Despite being relatively easy to care for, you are advised to still give your stainless-steel sink a few seconds of care each time you use it.
Below we share some tips on how to care for your stainless-steel sink in your kitchen.
Don’t Let Food and Liquid Sit Too Long in the Sink
Are you guilty of pouring all kinds of food crumbs and liquid into the sink without rinsing it properly?
Letting thick and coloured liquid such as gravy, juice or oil sit in the sink for too long can create unsightly stains when it dries up. Also, leaving food and edible liquid in the sink may attract pests like ants.
When pouring liquids, make sure it goes directly into the drain and not all over the sink. Food scraps and crumbs should be strained and discarded properly to prevent clogging of the sink. Then ensure you rinse your sink thoroughly.
When you’re already juggling a busy life, you wouldn’t want to add battling stubborn stains and pests, and plumbing problems into your hectic to-do list.
Tackling Water Stains
If you think that only food and coloured liquids are the culprits for staining your stainless-steel sink, you’d be surprised. Even water can leave its mark on your shiny sink.
Singapore’s tap water is classified as moderately soft. Even when its mineral content is relatively lower, water stains can slowly build up in the sink under certain conditions. Hence, it’s advisable to wipe your sink with a dry cloth and not let the water evaporate on its own.
Don’t Dry Your Cloth and Sponges on the Sink
Don’t leave wet rags and sponges on the sink to dry. It can trap moisture underneath. Over time, you will find your sink discoloured and tarnished because a damp environment is perfect for germs and mould to grow.
To dry your dishcloths, hang them up on a rack. Or, if you must, you can leave it on your countertop to dry provided the surface is water-resistant. Premium countertops like quartz and Dekton are non-porous and highly resistant to water and stain.
As for your sponges, you can keep them dry in a sponge holder or sink caddy.
Prevent Rust on Stainless Steel Sink
Though stainless steel is a very hardy alloy, it is still susceptible to scratches. Besides tarnishing its aesthetics, repetitive scratches may scrap off the chromium coating and expose your sink to rusting.
Your stainless-steel sink is an amalgamation of steel, chromium and nickel alloys. Chromium acts as a protective layer against rust.
To prevent scratches, there a few things to avoid.
Be Careful with Sharp Objects in the Sink
Don’t worry, you can still wash your knives, forks and skewers in the sink. A well-made stainless sink is tough and can handle a lot of use and abuse.
Just don’t use your sink as a cutting board. Your knife can accidentally scratch the surface and leave hideous marks on your sink.
Also, it’s advisable not to throw your sharp utensils into the sink where the sharp edges may knock and dent the surface of your sink. But that’s common sense.
How to Scrub Stainless Steel Sink
To keep your sink clean, you can scrub your stainless-steel sink with a vengeance as long as you do it in the direction of the grain.
But, please don’t use steel wool pads to scrub as the iron particles may cause it to rust and stain the sink. Instead, clean it with a scouring pad or organic loofah. Again, it’s important to remember this: Scrub along the direction of the grain!
Make Your Stainless Steel Sink Sparkle and Shine
For that added sparkle, you can use the tried and tested DIY trick of baking soda and vinegar. Baking soda is strong enough to scrub away grease and stains, yet not too abrasive to scratch your sink surface. Just make a paste of baking soda and water, and start scrubbing away. Once done, rinse the sink with vinegar and watch the paste bubble and fizz as the grime is lifted off the surface. Vinegar is an effective disinfectant to rid your sink of germs.
For that added sheen on your sink, you can apply a few drops of olive oil with a soft cloth and watch your glint and sparkle. Once you’ve seen how shiny your stainless-steel sink can be, there will be no turning back!
Get a Leakproof Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink
The stainless steel kitchen sink is a resilient and low-maintenance beauty. Hence, you only need to clean and maintain it once or twice a week, depending on how frequent you use it. With some TLC, your sink will last you for a very long time.
If you are looking for a premium kitchen sink, Aurasink boasts a leakproof range of kitchen sinks. These stainless steel sinks come in various sizes and designs to suit your kitchen needs. Best of all, it’s guaranteed to give you peace of mind when you move into your new home.
