29 May 2025 The Best Way to Clean Your Stainless Steel Sink, According to Experts
See the full article on The Kitchn
Your stainless steel kitchen sink probably gets treated to plenty of soap and water every time you wash your dishes, but that doesn’t mean it’s actually getting clean. And it’s especially not getting clean when you leave those dishes and pans soaking for hours. (No judgment — just saying!).
While stainless steel is known for its durability, it still needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. In fact, you might be surprised to learn just how regularly. To get the scoop, I spoke to Mónica Taher, chief operating officer of Avanti Green Eco Cleaning, and Robin Murphy, president of Maid Brigade and author at Who Likes It Dirty?.
How Often You Should Really Clean Your Stainless Steel Sink
Your sink should be cleaned not just daily, but after every use to protect its longevity, according to Taher. “Regular cleaning prevents stains, corrosion, and especially water spots,” she says. You’ll also want to be particularly careful when you pour anything acidic into the sink, from vinegar to tomato sauce. “Foods that are acidic actually cause discoloration in the sink,” she says.
If wiping down your sink every time you turn on the water sounds like a chore, join the club. But here are some other reasons to make sink cleaning a more regular habit:
- It’s hygienic. Cleaning your sink regularly reduces bacteria growth from food residue and dirty dishes, Taher explains.
- It controls odors. Here’s something to get you (and me) out of the habit of leaving pans to soak for too long. Standing water and food residue lead to unpleasant aromas in the kitchen and beyond.
- It makes your kitchen look better. “Maintaining a clean sink improves the overall appearance of the kitchen,” Murphy says.
I can certainly attest to that last one. Whenever my sink is empty and clean, I feel like I’ve really accomplished something — and it usually encourages me to continue cleaning the rest of my kitchen, too.