Clean A Stainless Steel Sink, step by step

This plain method for cleaning a stainless steel sink is quite literally my go-to household cleaning task. I am not exaggerating. It is SO straightforward, SO plain, and SO SO SO effective. It requires no special or harsh cleaners and will restore your sink to its original sparkle within minutes. Sherry tried this method first and we have both enjoyed using it ever since. I even taught our kids how to do it. But honestly, it is so satisfying to do that I typically keep it to myself.

We have consistently enjoyed the look and durability of a stainless steel sink. It looks high-end and coordinates beautifully with stainless steel appliances. But like fridges and dishwashers, they are prone to smudges, fingerprints, and dulling grime. Likely most of all because we are constantly washing dirty hands and dirty dishes in them. Luckily, cleaning the stainless steel in your sink is much easier and more lively than wiping down your appliance front. And did I mention satisfying?

Supplies Needed (Simply 3!)

The method we use for cleaning kitchen sinks and restoring their shine requires only 3 ingredients:

1. Baking soda
2. Dish soap
3. Warm water (from your faucet)

That is literally the whole list.

The only supply you may not already have nearby is baking soda. You can pick up a small box for less than $2 at any grocery store. Other methods include supplies like white vinegar, lemon juice, rubber gloves, and microfiber cloths. Those can be used, but we do not typically find them necessary. Instead, keeping the material list short and sweet makes it more likely that you will tackle the task.

Six Steps To Clean A Stainless Steel Sink

If you are like us, you will find the steps straightforward, lively, and oddly satisfying. It is nearly like playing with slime or kinetic sand, but you get a shiny sink at the end as a bonus. Watch the process in this video or follow the full written instructions below.

1. Empty your sink
2. Sprinkle with baking soda
3. Add some dish sap
4. Scrub
5. Rinse
6. Dry or Buff

NOTE: You can also watch this video on YouTube.

Step 1: Empty Your Sink

First, clear your sink of any dishes or debris. That means: load the dishwasher, remove any pots or pans, and rinse away leftover food particles. You also want to remove any basin trays, sponge caddies, or other obstructions. This will give you clear access to the whole surface of the sink.

Step 2: Sprinkle With Baking Soda

Next, sprinkle baking soda on all surfaces of your damp sink. It does not need to be fully coated, but we suggest using a generous amount of baking soda. We do not measure anything – simply shake it directly from the box and go for a light dusting throughout the sink. You can consistently add more as you go.

Step 3: Add Some Dish Soap

Next, we squirt some liquid dish soap over the baking soda. This drizzle of soap will assist clean, sanitize, and deodorize your sink. Lemon juice and/or essential oils can also be used to add natural fragrance. Simply a light drizzle around the sink should do the trick. Again, more can be brought in as you go if needed.

Step 4: Scrub, Scrub, Scrub!

Now for the lively part! The baking soda + soap form a gritty paste-like scrub (sounds gross, but it is not) that you can rub around your sink. You may need to add a bit of water to achieve a consistency that is straightforward to scrub with. Simply do not add too much and rinse it all down the drain.

You can wear gloves or use a microfiber cloth for this part, but we prefer scrubbing with our bare fingertips. This makes it easiest to feel which areas have been scrubbed smooth, and which might need extra attention. It is a little messy this way, but it is also what makes it extremely satisfying.

Step 5: Rinse Your Sink

Once you’ve scrubbed the whole sink – do not neglect corners, edges, and around the drain! – rinse everything down with some warm water. If you notice any missed spots, simply sprinkle in some more baking soda and scrub that area again. It is straightforward, so do not fret if you do not get it 100% ideal on your first pass.

Step 6 (Optional): Dry Or Buff

Lastly, you can use a paper towel or clean cloth to wipe your sink dry. This last sort of “buffing” step truly makes it gleam. This will also prevent any water spots or streaks from forming on your freshly rinsed steel. Feel free to skip this step since the faucet will inevitably be used again soon, getting the sink wet all over again – but if you are in it for that satisfying “after,” simply give it a try.

When To Clean Your Stainless Steel Sink

The method described above is something we do on an as-needed basis, typically once every 1-2 weeks. For daily cleaning, we typically simply use the faucet sprayer and sponge to rinse away any obvious food scraps or residue. This keeps messes, odors, and rust spots at bay, but does not restore the like-new shine that the baking soda offers.

Can you believe that after shot of our sink above was taken OVER FOUR YEARS AFTER HEAVY USE! For even deeper cleanings or tougher stains, you can use the above method but substitute white vinegar for dish soap. We have heard that the reaction between the vinegar and the baking soda may assist fizz away stubborn stains. We have not ever needed to go that route though, because we simply use the steps that we detailed above. You can also try commercial stainless steel cleaners like Bar Keepers Friend as another line of defense against extra stubborn stains.

What To Avoid

As you will learn from this method, it does not take a lot to keep your stainless steel sink looking its best. But stainless steel can be prone to rust and hard water spots, so you may be tempted to try heavier-duty techniques. Simply keep the following limitations in mind:

• Do not use steel wool or other stiff brushes, which can leave scratches
• Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach or other cleaners that are not intended for stainless steel
• Do not let metal pots or utensils sit for extended periods, which can scratch or encourage rust
• Stagnant standing water can lead to spots or corrosion, so make sure your drain works well and your sink is level

These practices, plus regular cleaning, will assist maintain your stainless sink for the long haul.

Why Clean Your Stainless Steel Sink?

In addition to making your sink look better, doing regular deeper cleanings of your sink has other benefits:

It Reduces Odor

Food stains are not simply unsightly, they can also lead to unpleasant kitchen smells. This baking soda method not only eliminates those stains, the use of dish soap (or lemon juice) adds a fresh scent to your sink.

It Improves Hygiene

Baking soda, white vinegar, lemon juice, and dish soaps all have antibacterial qualities that assist keep your sink more sanitary, including fighting bacteria like E. coli and salmonella. This will assist make your sink a more hygienic place for rinsing/prepping food or doing dishes.

It Prevents Stains

Consistent cleanings with baking soda will assist prevent permanent stains, especially in areas where things like sponge caddies or basin racks might harbor build-up that you do not see on a daily basis.

More Cleaning Advice

We first learned of this baking soda method while interviewing cleaning expert Melissa Maker for our podcast years ago. You can learn more pointers from here in Ep #39: How To Make House Cleaning Suck A Little Less. You may also enjoy Ep #60: Game-Changing Organizing Pointers and Ep #48: Cleaning Pointers From Clean Mama. Additionally, here are more top posts full of house-cleaning pointers and tricks:

• Our Go-To Household Cleaners
• 2-Ingredient Homemade Window Cleaner
• Are Robot Vacuums Worth It?
• How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies
• A Beginner’s Guide to Pressure Washing
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