One of the greatest reasons why you should install stainless steel in your household is its durability. It is a tough material and therefore it can last for decades. Still, you should take some steps to retain its shine and look intact. Remember, the kitchen sink is very important part of the kitchen and it should be taken great care of. The stainless steel kitchen sinks are light, sleek and stylish. So, you should make sure that they are one of proud possessions for years to come.

However, the following few lines will help you achieve that end.

One very important factor that you should avoid is the abrasives. They should not be used to clean the kitchen sinks. For, they can scratch your stainless steel kitchen sink. Though that is a tough task, still wrong cleaners or pads can do that. So, it is a wise decision to stay away from the steel wools, scouring pads and the abrasive powders. Rather the soft cloths and cleaning agents are just the things that you need. It is also a good decision to use mild warm water and soap solution for cleaning. For that, you need to soak your kitchen sink in soap water for sometime and use that to clean it up. This will make your cleaning very easy and effective as well.

There are different cleaning products available in the market. However, make sure that you are using the milder ones. They are very effective to clear the grease and everyday stains. If you want to remove the grime, use baking soda. It will drive away any kind of odor as well, to keep the shine intact; you should use ammonia and white vinegar. Bleach can be also very useful in this regard. For that however, you have to fill the sink with water and add some bleach to it and wait for 10 minutes before draining it.

Plastic mats and rubbers are also very essential for the proper maintenance of your stainless steel kitchen sinks. They can protect your sink from the plates and pots that have the potential to leave their marks on the sink.

Though the sink is made of ‘stainless’ steel, there are occasions when the rust can develop on it. For instance, if a can is kept on it for long, it can result in rust stains. However, removing most of them is easy. A little bit of cleaning and elbow grease is enough to wash it away. However, if it proves out to be more stubborn, mix tartar cream with lemon juice and rub it. You should keep the mixture for a while. However, the exact time is dependant on the nature of the stain. However, this can be dangerous also always be cautious while using this trick.

As you can see there is not much hassle in the maintenance of the stainless steel. All you have to do is take a little bit of care and keep certain things away from the cleaning job. In return, you will get a sink that will make your kitchen a center of attraction for years.

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Now that you have your new countertop, you’ll want to keep it locking as great as it did when it was first installed. Fortunately, granite is a strong product, second only to diamonds in strength, and needs just a few pointers for care.

Prevention is the best first step in maintaining your counter. Always use coasters for liquids. Use trivets or hot mats for hot plates or pans. Use a cutting board. If you are going to put used dishes on the counter, make sure they have been rinsed off first. Avoid putting foods directly on the counter. Stains occur when a liquid cannot leave the granite without the help of chemicals. So, take care the oils from food are not likely to be absorbed into the counter. – That pizza box could even be a problem if there is oil seeping through it.

When you do have spills, wipe them up immediately. Granite is most prone to stains from liquids containing oil or acid. So be as thorough as you can with cleaning up spills from those kinds of liquids.

Always use a soft rag or regular (non-abrasive) sponge. Most of the time all you’ll need is hot water. You can also use dishwashing liquid but be sure to rinse thoroughly to prevent a soapy build up.

Weekly, you can use a stone cleaner. Never use scouring pads or cleansers that have abrasives or bleach. Also, avoid “all purpose” cleaners with disinfectants unless they state they are made especially for granite. Also, avoid products with lemon, orange, vinegar, or citrus since the acid can dull the finish. With the popularity of granite it should not be difficult to find a stone cleaner especially designed for granite cleansing.

If you do have a stain, don’t despair; most can be eliminated easily.

For regular kitchen stains: Mix one cup of flour with two tablespoons of dishwashing liquid and apply the paste to the stain. Cover it with plastic wrap and leave overnight. The next day, gently scrape off the paste, using a wooden spoon or other (non-sharp) wooden utensil. Then rinse thoroughly.

For stains from oil, grease, or milk: Follow the same steps but substitute hydrogen peroxide for the dishwashing liquid.

For stains from coffee, tea, fruit, or fruit juice: rub gently with a mixture of 12% hydrogen peroxide and ammonia.

For marker stains: acetone or lacquer thinner will work well on dark granite and hydrogen peroxide will work for light granite.

Eventually, your countertop will need to be resealed. The sealant is what protects granite from stains and discoloration. Like all rocks, it is naturally porous and needs the sealer to prevent it from absorbing liquids. No matter how gently you handle your counter, sooner or later the sealant will begin to wear off. This could be anytime between one and five years, depending on the type of granite and its usage. Your installation company will be able to give you details about your particular product and recommendations about when to schedule resealing.

In the unlikely event you do end up with a chip or scratch to your counter, do not make this a DIY project. Contact your installation company for repairs or for a referral for a source for repairs.

With very little effort, you will be able to maintain your countertop’s like new condition for its lifetime.

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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.

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