How to Clean a Stainless Steel Sink

Updated: Jan. 24, 2024

Find out how to clean and polish a stainless steel sink with a few household items.

Introduction

Cleaning the kitchen sink often falls into the category of forgotten chores, keeping company with dusting the baseboards and vacuuming under the bed. But, shining up your stainless steel sink so that it looks like new is actually easier than you think. All you need are a few household ingredients that are probably already sitting in your pantry. Read on to for a step-by-step guide on how to clean a stainless steel sink.

Tools Required

Cleaning Cloth
Soft Sponge
Spray Bottle

Materials Required

Baking soda
Lemon or Lime
Olive Oil
Vinegar

Project step-by-step (7)

Step 1

Empty and Rinse the Sink

Sinks : Rito Succeed/Shutterstock

First, empty the sink entirely (including any rubber mats or metal sink grids). Then rinse the sink thoroughly with hot water, using the faucet sprayer, if you have one.

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Step 2

Sprinkle Baking Soda

Baking-soda Alexeysun/Shutterstock

Sprinkle the damp sink with baking soda. Cover the entire surface of the sink with a thin layer of baking soda and be sure to include the sides. Here’s how to make your own homemade cleaners with baking soda!

Step 3

Scrub the Sink

cleaning SeDmi/Shutterstock

Using a wet sponge or cleaning cloth, scrub the sink with the baking soda. Scrub in the direction of the stainless steel grain, paying close attention to areas that are stained or have stuck-on grime. You can add a little bit more water if needed. The water and baking soda will form a paste as you scrub, coating the sink. The baking soda works as an abrasive sink cleaner, but is gentle enough to not scratch the stainless steel surface. When you’re finished scrubbing the sink, here are 11 tips on cleaning the entire kitchen.

Step 4

Using a Lemon, Scrub Again

Lemon Shannon West/Shutterstock

Cut a lemon in half and use the lemon halves to scrub the sink again with the baking soda paste that is still coating your sink. The high acid levels in lemon juice (and lime juice!) can help to fight bacteria, not to mention freshen your sink with a lovely citrus smell. Check out these 10 unexpected ways to use a lemon around the house.

Also learn how to clean and unclog your kitchen sink, and get your smelly, stopped-up drain running fast again.

Step 5

Rinse

steel Paul Michael Hughes/Shutterstock

Rinse away the baking soda paste and lemon juice with water. Run the used lemon halves through the garbage disposal to clean and freshen it. Here’s more on how to clean a garbage disposal.

Step 6

Vinegar for Water Spots

vinegar FotoHelin/Shutterstock

With a spray bottle filled with vinegar, spray the entire sink. Then buff the vinegar into the sink with a clean cloth, the vinegar works as a natural disinfectant and water stain remover. Is there anything vinegar can’t clean? Check out these 19 vinegar cleaning hacks that will save you money.

Step 7

Dry and Shine with Olive Oil

drying tab62/Shutterstock

Finally, dry the sink with a dry cloth, removing any remaining water or vinegar. Then, to really amp up the shine, use olive oil. Pour a small amount onto a dry cloth and rub it onto the sink, working in the direction of the grain. Wipe off any access oil and admire your glistening sink! No olive oil on hand? Here’s how to polish a stainless steel sink with flour!