How To Polish a Stainless Steel Sink

The sink is arguably one of the most used household fixtures, whether that’s in the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room. Matter of fact, it’s prone to lose its shine and look rather lackluster since it’s being used so often between cleaning dishes, washing hands, and preparing food. That said, it’s important to learn how to polish a stainless steel sink to give it the desired look and keep it clean — no smelly sinks if we can help it.

Ahead, we spoke with a plumber about the importance of polishing a stainless steel sink and how you can do it at home.

Why Polish a Stainless Steel Sink?

The main reason for polishing a stainless steel sink is to keep it in pristine condition (at least from the exterior). “Polishing helps to smooth out the microscopic scratches and grooves where grime and minerals tend to settle,” says Jimmy Hiller, CEO and president of Happy Hiller. It’s a quick way to help ensure that your bathroom or kitchen sink looks its best, even with consistent use.

How To Polish a Stainless Steel Sink

There are a few methods for polishing a stainless steel sink. Since you’ll need to do it consistently, it’s important that you pick the option that works best for you.

Use flour

One of the easiest ways to polish a stainless steel sink is with flour. That’s right—flour is the key to having a shiny, stain-free sink in your home. All you’ll need is a soft cloth, flour and a warm, soapy sponge.

Keep in mind that the sink needs to be clean before you can start polishing it. This means you’ll have to take the dishes out and clean the surface as you normally would. Once that’s finished, you can get onto the polishing.

To do this, coat the sink with flour until you have a thick layer around the entire thing. Then, grab the cloth and buff the flour until there are no more signs of water stains and spots.

Use olive oil or mineral polish

According to Corey Buescher, a virtual handyperson expert for Frontdoor, this method is ideal for giving a glossy finish to your stainless-steel sink. “After cleaning and drying the sink, apply a small amount of olive oil or mineral oil to a soft cloth,” says Buescher. Then, buff the oil into the sink in the direction of the grain until the surface is evenly shiny and then wipe away any excess oil with a dry part of the cloth.”

Use baking soda and vinegar

Buescher also recommends using baking soda and vinegar to polish a stainless steel sink. This will leave a nice shine and can help get rid of unwanted odors.

“Start by sprinkling baking soda all over a damp sink and then scrub gently with a soft sponge along the grain of the steel,” he says. “Then, you’ll spray white vinegar over the baking soda, which will start to fizz and let it sit for 5–10 minutes.”

Afterward, you’ll then rinse with warm water and dry the sink completely with a soft cloth.

Use commercial polish

There’s no shame in opting for a stainless steel sink cleaner from the store to help polish the sink and remove the scratches.

“The best results come when you start with a commercial polish, then finish with a bit of oil for extra shine,” says Hiller. “Once the sink is completely dry, spray on something like Bar Keepers Friend spray for stainless steel and wipe it in with a microfiber cloth. After this, add a few drops of olive oil and gently rub it in with a clean cloth and finish by buffing off any remaining product with a dry, clean cloth until the sink looks shiny.”

How Often Should You Polish a Stainless Steel Sink?

When it comes to how often you should polish a stainless steel sink, there’s really no one-size-fits-all answer. Ultimately, it’s going to depend on how often you use it and when it looks like it could use some TLC.

“As a general guideline, if you live in a small household or do minimal cooking, you should polish once a month to maintain shine and cleanliness,” says Buescher. “On the other hand, if you live in a larger household or cook frequently, you should polish your stainless-steel sink every 1-2 weeks to prevent buildup, water spots, and stains.”

Aside from polishing the stink, Buescher recommends using a deodorizer, such as lemon or vinegar, to keep it smelling its best.

What’s the Best Method to Polish a Stainless Steel Sink?

According to Hiller, the best method to polish a stainless steel sink is to clean it thoroughly and let it dry completely beforehand. “Most stainless steel sinks have very fine grain lines, usually running left to right, so always buff and polish along that direction,” he tells Family Handyman. “If it looks smooth with no grain, just go with small circles.”

Additionally, if you’re in a rush and looking for a fast method, Buescher likes to use the flour method for touchups as needed.

About The Experts

• Jimmy Hiller, CEO and president of Happy Hiller.
• Corey Buescher, a virtual handyperson expert for Frontdoor

The post How To Polish a Stainless Steel Sink appeared first on Family Handyman.

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