The Do’s & Don’ts of Stainless Steel Sink Maintenance
It’s funny to think that a product whose purpose is to wash hands & other utensils needs to be cleaned periodically too. In fact, a clean sink should be priority #1 in your facility. A dirty kitchen sink can quickly lead to unsanitary conditions that could make your staff & patrons sick. Since commercial sinks are used so frequently, regular maintenance will be required. So, what cleaning methods should you use?
In this article, we’ll go through some quick tips on cleaning & maintaining your stainless steel sink so you can keep your sink looking fresh & sanitary for others to use. Let’s jump right in.
Do’s
1. Do perform regular rinsing
- The most important part of the whole maintenance process is regular rinsing.
- Stainless steel will retain its original bright appearance if the product is rinsed thoroughly after each use.
- A rinse & towel drying after each use takes care of most everyday cleanups.
- Always wipe in the direction of the grain.
- Deep clean the bowl, faucet, backsplash, drain & sink edges. Many times the sides & edges of sinks are not cleaned properly. Leave no stone unturned.
2. Do use the correct cleaners
- We highly recommend using a dedicated stainless steel cleaner + polisher due to its non-abrasive nature.
- If a stainless steel cleaner + polisher are not readily available, simple dish soap + baby oil will get the job done.
3. Do remove any visible stains
- For minor stains such as fingerprints & smudges, a non-abrasive detergent + water will suffice.
- For major stains such as grease marks, you’ll need a solvent such as isopropyl alcohol or acetone to restore the finish.
- If the finish becomes discolored, using a polisher & a soft sponge will restore it.
4. Do make preventative care a habit
- Keep sources of rust & staining such as rubber mats away from your commercial sink.
- Avoid leaving other metal products such as pots or pans in the sink.
Don’ts
1. Don’t use abrasive cleaners
- Keep chlorine bleach away from stainless steel surfaces. Inspect each soap, detergent & cleanser & make sure chlorine bleach is not present.
- Scouring powders shouldn’t be used as it is an abrasive.
- Glass cleaners containing ammonia may never be used.
- Oven cleaners, while common, should not be applied to the surface.
2. Don’t use steel wool pads
- In fact, don’t use any wire or wool products.
- Steel wool pads have a tendency to break apart & small particles of steel can become embedded in the surface of the product.
- The steel particles will eventually rust & discoloring of your sink may occur.
3. Don’t leave food in your sink
- Food items with heavy salt concentration will damage your sink.
- Salt, in general, does not go well with stainless steel as it can corrode the metal.
4. Don’t leave liquid soap on the surface
- Clean the sink thoroughly, without leaving any soap residue behind.
- Most liquid soaps have chemical additives, which will negatively affect the original finish.
IMC understands that hygiene & cleanliness are the most important factors when working in a commercial facility. Having regularly maintained sinks are just one way of achieving this goal. For a closer look at other IMC maintenance tips, click here.