There is no doubt that stainless steel is a very durable material that is ideal for kitchen sinks. However, daily activities like washing utensils make stainless steel sinks prone to scratches. The scratches leave unsightly marks that can be very difficult to get rid of. So in this article, we are going to discuss how to remove scratches from stainless steel sink.
The black residue from the cast iron skillet can also be one of the causes of the scratches in the sink.
First, let us look at what might be causing the ugly scratches on your kitchen sink.
Causes of deep scratches on the stainless steel sink
There are several causes of minor or severe deep scratches on your stainless sink. These may include the use of abrasive cleaning products, improper cleaning, and utensils like spoons and forks.
1. Cleaning across the grain
Your sink might look smooth and sleek but it actually has very faint brush marks known as the grain. The lines run either vertically or horizontally depending on the manufacturing process.
It is very important to clean along the grain rather than across. Cleaning the sink across the grain makes brush marks more visible causing the sink to appear dull and full of scratches.
2. Sharp utensils and items left in the sink
Metal or stainless steel forks and spoons are bound to scratch the delicate surface of the stainless steel finish on the sink.
Moreover, it’s an expensive mistake to leave pans and cooking pots in your sink due to rust and other stubborn stains that might be difficult to remove.
3. Abrasive cleaning products
Abrasive cleaning products like steel wool should be avoided on stainless steel sinks because they tend to scratch the shiny surface leaving unpleasing marks.
Also, cleaning products containing solvents like ammonia or chlorine should not be used.
For instance, bleach is a good disinfectant for sink drains but it contains chlorine which corrodes the stainless steel protective finish.
See also: Avoid using a magic eraser on these items
5 Ways how to remove scratches from stainless steel sink
Depending on the number of scratches and how deep the scratches are, you can use either of the following methods:
1. Bar Keeper’s Friend cleanser with a soft scrub pad
Bar Keepers Friend cleanser is non-abrasive so it’s ideal for all stainless steel products including sinks, appliances, and cookware.
Since it is non-abrasive, it works perfectly on grease and hard water stains without causing any damage to the finish on your items and appliances.
You can get Bar keeper’s Friend powdered cleanser or Bar Keeper’s Liquid cleanser.
- If it is in powdered form, add water to make a paste but if you have the liquid form, move to the next step.
- Put the paste or liquid on a soft scrub pad or cloth and rub it back and forth along the grain on the sink. Carry on until the scratch buffs out.
- Rinse the sink thoroughly with clean water and then wipe using a soft damp cloth to remove any residue. Then use another soft cloth to dry the area.
- If necessary, repeat steps two and three.
2. Stainless steel scratch eraser kit
The scratch eraser kits are designed specifically to safely remove scratches, gouges, rust stains, and discoloration on stainless steel appliances and cookware.
Barry’s Restore It All Scratch-B-Gone instance helps to restore the brand new look of your sink and appliances by getting rid of scratches, rust, discoloration, and minor gauges.
The kit usually comes with everything you need including fine, medium, and coarse abrasion pads, microfiber cloth, and an applicator tool.
To clean your sink, follow these steps;
- Identify the direction of the grain in your stainless steel sink or appliance.
- Begin with the right grip pad recommended for the particular scratch and rub it along the grain or in one direction only.
- Move to a smoother grip pad, if the manufacture’s guide says so. Then proceed with the buffing process, adding any compound included in the kit.
- To complete the process, rinse and wipe the sink surface using a microfiber cloth.
Kindly note that scratch eraser kits should only be used on stainless steel items that are not coated such as satin and non-coated brushed products.
See also: Why your cast iron gets sticky after seasoning
3. Sanding sponge pad to remove deep scratches
Sanding sponges are perfect for cleaning burnt food, black marks, and stains from stainless steel cookware without scratching.
They are also very easy to use. Simply follow the following steps
- Take a fine or medium sanding sponge depending on how deep the scratches are.
- Wet the sanding sponge and the scratched surface
- Use little force and sand the scratch marks moving side by side following the grain.
- If the scratches are still there after some minutes, try slightly coarse sandpaper.
- Use a thin grit to polish the sink and blend with the rest.
- Rinse the sink with a clean wet sponge in the direction of the grain.
- Dry the sink with a soft cloth and apply a fine coat of stainless steel polish.
4. Aluminum foil and baking soda
This is an interesting cleaning technique but it gets the job done.
To remove the stains and scratches on the sink, follow this process;
- Wet the sink with clean water
- Pour enough baking soda to coat the sink
- Take a piece of the aluminum foil and gently start scrubbing in the direction of the grain.
- Rinse and use a soft towel to dry it
- Apply a few drops of olive oil and buff the sink
5. Remove small scratches on the sink with olive oil
Olive oil can be of great help in getting rid of minor scratches on your stainless steel sink.
To remove the scratches, follow these steps;
- Apply the cooking oil to a soft cloth or paper towel
- Rub it on the scratched surface
- Wipe the area until it’s dry
- Repeat this step 3 to 4 times to get rid of more scratches.
See also: How to remove rust from grill grates
FAQ about removing scratches from stainless steel sink
Yes, Bar Keepers Friend cleaner can be used to remove scratches on stainless steel.
Simply pour a bit of the cleaner on a soft pad and scrub the sink gently in the direction of the grain. Rinse and dry the sink as explained earlier.
– Use a glass bowl to make a paste of baking soda and water. A glass bowl will make baking soda keep its workability.
– Apply the paste to the affected area of the coated stainless steel
– Check if the scratch is removed, if not rub the area until the scratch is no more.
– Rub the solution with a soft wet cloth and use a dry cloth to dry up. A soft cloth is away because it will help prevent more scars.
How to prevent stainless steel sink from scratching
There are several things you can do to prevent scratches on a stainless steel sink.
These are;
- Avoid abrasive cleaning products like steel wool and solvents like bleach
- Place sink protector inside the sink to prevent scratches from cooking pots and pans
- Don’t leave cookware, forks, and spoons in the sink to prevent rust
- Hot pans and cooking pots should not be placed in the sink
- Clean the sink after use and ensure it is completely dry
- Buff it with oil regularly to maintain its shine.
See also: Best stainless steel sink protector
Conclusion
Well, the methods we have discussed above can help on how to remove scratches from stainless steel sink and protect it.
However, it is important to read and carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions removing scratches and other stains.
Also, you need to know how deep or severe the scratches are so that you can choose the best method and cleaning products.
