While a stainless steel sink is tough and needs little maintenance, keeping one free from scratches can be tedious. There are a ton of products to help solve your dilemma. However, no one wants to sit and scroll through multiple product pages online. We hear you, which is why we have done the job and created this list to help you.
These products will help you keep your stainless steel sink neat. They are easy to find, as some are readily available in your pantry or can be bought with just a few taps online.
- Scotch-Brite Blue Scour Pads
- Bar Keepers Friend Cookware Cleaner
- Hope's Perfect Sink
- Chemical Guys Heavy Metal Polish Restorer and Protectant
- No.7 Heavy Duty Rubbing Compound
Wonder how they will fare against your stainless steel sink's imperfections? Keep on reading to find out. We have narrowed down some of the essentials for you to look out for and a few alternatives to check out. Plus, if you have any lingering questions, we might just have the answer.
What Causes Scratches On A Stainless Steel Sink?
There are a lot of factors that cause imperfection on stainless steel surfaces. Aside from the usual everyday wear and tear, using abrasive cleaning products could also strip off the shine of your otherwise spotless sink.
Harsh chemicals, rough brushes, and sharp utensil edges are just a few, but these are nothing a little elbow grease and the proper scratch remover can't take care of.
Scratches on stainless steel sinks come in two extremes: minor and severe. Minor scratches are small, surface-level abrasions caused by water deposits and light drops. They are usually barely noticeable but can accumulate over time.
Meanwhile, heavy-duty work on a stainless steel sink and sometimes using too many abrasive cleaning products cause severe scratches.
1. Scotch-Brite Blue Scour Pads
Getting rid of scratches on your stainless steel sink involves buffing the surface, and that is something you can do with a handy scouring pad, such as this one from Scotch-Brite.
You can use a sandpaper sheet you might have lying around your home, but if you want something that will last, investing in scour pads that you can also use for cleaning pots and pans will not hurt much.
Check out this value pack of pads on Amazon.
2. Bar Keepers Friend Cookware Cleaner
This solution is versatile and works to effectively clean stainless steel surfaces while keeping them neat and polished. While made specifically for cleaning cookware, this product can still do wonders on stainless steel sinks with minor scratches.
Tougher scratches might need a little more buffing effort, which we will eventually discuss in this post.
Check out this multi-purpose cookware cleaner on Amazon.
3. Hope's Perfect Sink
This sink cleaner has a refreshing citrus scent and works like a charm by using its "triple action formula" meant to clean, polish, and protect stainless steel sinks. Its gentle formulation will not hurt your stainless steel sink any further and will leave it looking brand new.
Plus, this top-of-the-line product leaves a powerful protective barrier to help your stainless steel sink repel water, preventing water marks and other stains from sticking to the surface.
Check out this easy-to-use cleanser on Amazon.
4. Chemical Guys Heavy Metal Polish Restorer and Protectant
For tough scratches, the Chemical Guys Heavy Metal Polish Restorer and Protectant can help. It uses a unique formulation to remove tough stains such as tarnish, rust, and dirt, leaving the surface of your stainless steel sink shiny and bright.
You can also use this product on other metal surfaces such as chrome, silver, aluminum, and gold.
Check out this specialty cleaner on Amazon.
5. No.7 Heavy Duty Rubbing Compound
This scratch remover comes in a paste-like formula, which makes application a breeze, helping reduce excess product from dripping everywhere. Its formula is also very mild, so you will not have to worry about your sink possibly gaining more damage.
It can help remove dirt, grime, and dust found on the surface of your sink, leaving it smooth and shiny.
View this paste rubbing compound on Amazon.
Natural Alternatives You Can Use
If you do not feel like buying a new product yet and are thinking of doing it yourself for a solution, don't worry, because there are alternatives you can go with that you can find at home. Some options you try include plain white toothpaste, baking soda, and vinegar.
In using baking soda, mix it with water until you achieve a paste-like consistency. Use sparingly. Mineral and olive oil can also make great alternatives, although they might not work on harsh abrasions.
Keep in mind that results may still vary depending on the rubbing force you used or the strength of the solution. For more potent liquids like vinegar, ensure it does not sit on the surface for a long time because it can cause damage.
How To Buff The Surfaces Of Your Stainless Steel Sink
As mentioned earlier, one of the things you can do to clear up the scratches on your sink is to buff the surface for polishing. Below are simple steps you can follow to buff the surface of your stainless steel sink.
- First off, prepare the materials you will need. These include microfiber towels, scouring pads, and your preferred cleaning solution.
- Apply the cleaning solution gently to your microfiber cloth and lightly scrub the surface where the scratch is.
- Use a tough scouring pad or sandpaper for severe scratches first, and switch to a smoother pad if necessary.
- Whichever method you use, ensure you are scrubbing towards the direction of the metal grain.
- Wipe the surface clean and dry, making sure there are no residues that can eventually leave a mark.
Keeping Your Stainless Steel Sink Scratch-free
To keep your stainless steel sink squeaky clean, regularly wipe off leftover water droplets to prevent water marks, and always place sharp edges away from the surface.
For maintenance, keeping a pack of soft microfiber towels and a bottle of surface cleaner around your home is a good idea. It does not have to be something that will break the bank as there are a couple of value packs you can buy that come with both products.
You can also choose to buy a stainless steel cleaner if you have the budget for it.
What Shouldn't Be Put In A Stainless Steel Sink?
Remember that your stainless steel sink should always be in tip-top shape. You can do this by not letting steel and iron-cast cookware, moist cleaning materials, and sharp utensils such as knives and peelers stay on your sink for a long time.
If possible, keep the pointy tips of your knives away from the sink's surface to avoid any nicks or scratches. Always dry your sink's wet surface with a dry microfiber cloth to prevent any marks.
Also, do not allow bleach, detergent, and other products with harsh chemicals like chlorine to sit too long on the surface. If possible, avoid such products if you can.
Can You Use Rubbing Alcohol To Clean Your Stainless Steel Sink?
Rubbing alcohol like isopropyl is a disinfectant, which can effectively eliminate germs and bacteria left in your sink. It also dries quickly without leaving much residue or smudges, so yes, you can surely use rubbing alcohol to clean your stainless steel sink.
To use rubbing alcohol on your stainless steel sink, you can dilute it with water to make sure it will not cause any damage. You can lightly scrub the surface if necessary.
Also, make sure that you use a soft, gentle cloth to wipe down the alcohol on the surface of your stainless steel sink. You may do this daily because rubbing alcohol is still considerably gentle on even the most delicate stainless steel surfaces.
In Closing
Stainless steel might be one of the most durable materials, but it is not indestructible.
To remove scratches from your stainless steel sink, you can choose between Scotch-Brite Blue Scour Pads, Bar Keepers Friend Cookware Cleaner, Hope's Perfect Sink, Chemical Guys Heavy Metal Polish Restorer and Protectant, and No.7 Heavy Duty Rubbing Compound.
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