Stainless steel is a tough metal that looks great in a kitchen. That no doubt contributes to the popularity of stainless steel sinks, but they are probably just as popular because of their sleek appearance. Whether you’ve had a stainless steel sink for years or you’ve just installed one, you may want to know how to keep it looking like new, even after months or years of use. It’s not a fussy metal but there are some dos and don’ts when cleaning and dealing with stains. Below are some tips for keeping your stainless steel sink shiny and in good condition for as long as you own it.
Stainless Steel Dos and Don’ts
Don't use abrasive cleaning products. As you may know, stainless steel can scratch. It may not scratch easily, but apply the wrong kind of cleaning pad or cleaner and you will leave marks. It's best not to use harsh cleaning tools like scouring pads or steel wool, or abrasive powders. A soft cloth and the right cleaning agent is all you need.
Do clean with the grain. Find the grain in your stainless steel sink and clean with it. It's easier to clean stainless steel, regardless of the appliance, when you go with the grain.
Do use mild cleaning products. Mild detergent works well for everyday cleaning and can really cut through grease. Baking soda picks up grime and removes odors. White vinegar or ammonia (applied to terry cloth) polishes stainless steel and can remove stains. Bleach can also help clean and brighten stainless steel. Just add a little bleach to a sink full of water and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then, drain and rinse the sink thoroughly.
Do use rubber or plastic mats to prevent plates and pots and pans from scratching the steel.
Dealing With Rust Stains
If you leave cans sitting in the sink, for instance, you'll end up with rust spots. So how do you remove them? Most rust stains will come out with a little cleaning and elbow grease. If you get one that refuses to come out, try mixing 1 part cream of tartar with a little lemon juice. Rub the mixture onto the rust stain. Depending on how bad the stain is, either wipe it away shortly thereafter or let it sit for a while, even hours, before wiping it off. For heavy-duty rust problems, you might try a little bit of lighter fluid, wiping at the stain until it comes out. This can be dangerous, though, so be careful.
Stainless steel is a wonderful metal with many applications. With the right tools, household cleaners and products, and some good old-fashioned elbow grease, you can keep your sink spot-free and shining like new for years to come. You can also apply some of these tricks and techniques to other stainless steel appliances, including ovens and refrigerators. Taking a little bit of time to properly clean your sink and appliances will save you time and money in the long-run, benefiting you and your home.
Showing posts with label bar sinks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bar sinks. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Styles of Stainless Steel Sinks
If you're replacing your sink, either as a small change to spruce up your kitchen or as one change of a larger overhaul, you may wonder what's available. Stainless steel sinks are one of the more popular types of kitchen sinks today. The variety may be a bit overwhelming, but when boiled down there are really only a few basic options. Before you shop, take a look at the break down below of what you can expect to find at your local kitchen showroom.
Stainless Steel Sink Basics
Top Mount or Undermount sinks. Top mount sinks have an exposed lip that prevents water from running off onto the countertop. These are used frequently with tile and laminate countertops but can work with any. Undermount sinks are mounted under the countertop. They’re commonly seen with granite countertops. This look is seamless and classy. Undermounts are available in all sink types, including double and bar size.
Single bowl sinks. These sinks are one large, stainless steel bowl. They may be rectangular or round, small or large. Single bowls can be good for cleaning up dishes and work well for smaller sinks, including bar size. If you don’t have much counter space to spare, or don’t need a lot of room for doing dishes, a single bowl may be just right.
Double bowl sinks. These come in equal and offset variations. Equal double bowls are two bowls of the same size, side-by-side. Offset double bowls include one large bowl and one smaller bowl connected to it. Double bowls can be good for separating dishes or work spaces. In the case of an offset double, for instance, the smaller bowl could be used for food preparation while the larger bowl could be used for cleanup.
Triple bowl sinks. Triple bowl stainless sinks may include three bowls of varying sizes - one large, one medium, and one small. They're all connected to each other and feature separate drains. You'll need a fair amount of counter space for this size of sink. You’ll want to consider that two of the bowls are relatively small and may not function the way you need. If you’re desperate for sink space, you may want to consider adding a separate, smaller sink in another part of the kitchen.
Bar sinks. Bar sinks are typically smaller, single bowl sinks. As the name implies, they're good for bars but will work well as a secondary sink in the kitchen too. Bar sinks make a nice addition to a kitchen island, for instance, functioning as a separate work area.
Round sinks. Though you'll mostly come across rectangular or square sinks, round sinks do exist, especially in smaller ones. If you want something that isn't quite rectangular or round, horseshoe shape sinks are also available.
These are just a few of the basic sink types you'll come across. Again, your basic choices include top mount or undermount sinks, single bowl, double bowl, triple bowl, bar size, and round (or other shapes). Choose the style you need according to your counter space and what you'll generally be using it for. Whatever you choose, you’ll no doubt benefit from the style and function of stainless steel.
Stainless Steel Sink Basics
Top Mount or Undermount sinks. Top mount sinks have an exposed lip that prevents water from running off onto the countertop. These are used frequently with tile and laminate countertops but can work with any. Undermount sinks are mounted under the countertop. They’re commonly seen with granite countertops. This look is seamless and classy. Undermounts are available in all sink types, including double and bar size.
Single bowl sinks. These sinks are one large, stainless steel bowl. They may be rectangular or round, small or large. Single bowls can be good for cleaning up dishes and work well for smaller sinks, including bar size. If you don’t have much counter space to spare, or don’t need a lot of room for doing dishes, a single bowl may be just right.
Double bowl sinks. These come in equal and offset variations. Equal double bowls are two bowls of the same size, side-by-side. Offset double bowls include one large bowl and one smaller bowl connected to it. Double bowls can be good for separating dishes or work spaces. In the case of an offset double, for instance, the smaller bowl could be used for food preparation while the larger bowl could be used for cleanup.
Triple bowl sinks. Triple bowl stainless sinks may include three bowls of varying sizes - one large, one medium, and one small. They're all connected to each other and feature separate drains. You'll need a fair amount of counter space for this size of sink. You’ll want to consider that two of the bowls are relatively small and may not function the way you need. If you’re desperate for sink space, you may want to consider adding a separate, smaller sink in another part of the kitchen.
Bar sinks. Bar sinks are typically smaller, single bowl sinks. As the name implies, they're good for bars but will work well as a secondary sink in the kitchen too. Bar sinks make a nice addition to a kitchen island, for instance, functioning as a separate work area.
Round sinks. Though you'll mostly come across rectangular or square sinks, round sinks do exist, especially in smaller ones. If you want something that isn't quite rectangular or round, horseshoe shape sinks are also available.
These are just a few of the basic sink types you'll come across. Again, your basic choices include top mount or undermount sinks, single bowl, double bowl, triple bowl, bar size, and round (or other shapes). Choose the style you need according to your counter space and what you'll generally be using it for. Whatever you choose, you’ll no doubt benefit from the style and function of stainless steel.
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