Dish soap and oil Mix up a small amount of dish soap and warm water. Apply the solution to the sink with the spray bottle and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. Always wipe in the direction of the grain and finish the sink off with some oil to add a protective shine to your sink. This will leave it sparkling clean. What is the best cleaner for stainless steel sinks? To successfully clean a stainless steel sink with baking soda and vinegar, Ava suggests using a spray bottle filled with vinegar. Then, you can spray it onto the stainless steel sink, focusing mainly on the toughest areas of grime or the most stubborn hard water deposits.

In this instance we would recommend that the sink is cleaned thoroughly using a product called ‘Bar Keepers Friend’. This should be sprinkled onto the sink and scrubbed into a paste with a stiff nylon nail brush (NB simply using a nylon washing up brush is not sufficient as the product needs to be worked into the ‘valleys’ of the texture of the sink), which should be left on the sink for at least thirty minutes before thoroughly rinsing off. Spoiler alert—there’s not a whole lot of elbow grease involved. And you certainly don’t need to spend a ton of money on polishing products to get the job done. ( We’re all about DIY cleaning.) You’ll need flour, a soft cloth and warm, soapy water for optimal results. For a streak-free finish, get the stainless steel sink completely dry with an extra absorbent microfibre cloth, like a Marigold Squeaky Clean Microfibre cloth. We recommend finishing things off by spraying a glass cleaner onto the steel and wiping it with a thin tea towel or J cloth to help it shine. Cleaning a stainless steel sink is a little different to knowing how to clean a granite sink, or other materials. Cleaning experts at Ecozone explain that the main culprits of dull sinks are limescale build-up and watermarks. Don't use anything abrasive as it could leave permanent scratches, ruining your stainless steel sink over time. Avoid using bleach as this can discolour stainless steel. How to remove odours from a sink

Shiny Sink 101

Research has shown our kitchen sinks can often contain more germs than our toilets, and according to cleaning service Blanco, any stainless steel surface is best cleaned immediately after use to prevent limescale. So, first, remove dishes and any bits of food from the plughole, as leaving food to fester may attract fruit flies, the last thing you want buzzing around your lovely kitchen island sink ideas. 2. Wipe with the soft side of your sponge

Take a sharp edge, such as a butter knife, and clean around the rim of the sink, just like you would clean dirt out from under your fingernails. White vinegar is acidic, which makes it effective in dissolving mineral deposits and hard water stains. It also acts as a natural disinfectant, killing germs and bacteria,’ explains Ava Wilson from Unclutterer. Many members have asked, “How do I clean my sink until it shines?” To answer this question, FlyLady wrote an essay on it, “Shiny Sink 101.” Here’s to a great shine! In fact, Ava from Unclutterer even suggests using baby oil on a clean sink to give your stainless steel sink the shine you’re after. ‘Baby oil has a light consistency and can provide a protective layer on the stainless steel, preventing water spots and fingerprints,’ she says. ‘It also gives the sink a polished, shiny appearance.’In fact, our Ideal Home writer Jullia Joson, found that using a mixture of vinegar and baking soda was the best way to clean her stainless steel sink when she tried it herself. 3. Use cream of tartar One of the best ways to care for the sink is to clean it with a product called ‘Shiny Sinks’ (available from most major supermarkets) which can be used daily. It is helpful to dry the sink thoroughly after cleaning. Apply a small amount of non-gel white toothpaste to a toothbrush or soft cloth. Gently scrub any stains or discoloured areas. Rinse thoroughly with water and dry with a clean cloth,’ says Ava. However, she does offer a warning to those looking to use this method. First, you need to give your stainless steel a good clean. Hard water deposits and discolouration will both affect the shine of your stainless steel sink, so you should always give it a good clean using natural ingredients such as lemon and baking soda or toothpaste. If you still can’t get it to shine after the Windex, put a light coat of lemon oil or olive oil on it. I mean just a tiny bit on a cloth and rub it. This will make you smile. Some people have had very good results from Bar Keepers Friend.