How To Remove Rust Stains From a Stainless Steel Sink: Tips To Keep Your Sink Sparkling and Shiny
When your stainless steel is all clean and shiny, it’s like the gem of your kitchen. So wouldn’t you want to keep your stainless steel appliances free of fingerprints, smudges, and most importantly, rust?
As you do the dishes one evening, you’re noticing some reddish-orange stains in your sink. How is my sink rusting? Isn’t stainless steel rust-resistant? Am I caring for my stainless steel sink all wrong?
Here you’ll learn how to remove rust stains from a stainless steel sink, what not to use when cleaning, and how to prevent future rust from returning.
Table of Contents
Why Is My Stainless Steel Sink Rusting?
Stainless steel consists of a combination of steel, nickel, and chromium. The small amount of chromium in this alloy reacts with oxygen and forms a compound called chrome oxide. Chrome oxide is what gives stainless steel its anti-corrosive and rust-resistant qualities. A stainless steel sink with an intact chrome oxide layer should not rust. Instead, it is often the dishes left in your sink that cause rust stains.
Hard water may contribute to rust buildup on dishes left in stainless steel sinks. Water hardness is measured by the amount of mineral concentration in water. Depending on where you live, your water hardness will vary. The Pacific Northwest has ‘softer’ water, while the Midwest has some of the ‘hardest’ water in Northern America. Harder water can cause mineral deposits in stainless steel and eventually break down the protective layer of chromium oxide causing rust.
Using the wrong cleaning products on your stainless steel sink may also contribute to rust. Certain cleaning chemicals can corrode the protective chrome oxide layer on stainless steel.
The best way to keep rust from your sink is to properly maintain and care for your stainless steel. However, mistakes happen. So how do you remove rust from a stainless steel sink without causing further damage?
How To Remove Rust From a Sink: 7 Options
The easiest and most affordable way to safely clean your stainless steel may be by going green! Green cleaning is the process of effectively cleaning your house without chemicals. Common household products can be effective agents when it comes to removing rust from your sink so leave the cleaning chemicals behind when routinely cleaning your stainless steel.
Keep in mind that it is important to go with the grain of your stainless steel while cleaning, especially with mild abrasives. The grain is the faint lines located on the surface of your stainless steel appliance which indicate the direction you want to wipe or scrub when cleaning with these provided options.
If you are unsure about how to remove rust from a stainless steel sink on your own, you can always call on the professionals. Tidy Up Portland! provides household cleaning services that employ all green cleaning measures that protect your health and home.
#1: Baking Soda
Baking soda can be used as a gentle abrasive that can remove rust without damaging the grain of stainless steel. You can let the baking soda sit and do all the leg work or use it as a scrub with a little elbow grease.
The sprinkling method:
Dampen the stainless steel surface.
Generously apply baking soda to the rust stain.
Let the baking soda sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
Gently use a soft-bristled brush or rag to scrub until the rust lifts.
Rinse with warm water and wipe dry.
The paste method:
Combine 2 cups of water and 1 tbsp of baking soda to create a paste.
Use a clean cloth to scrub the paste into the rust until removed.
Rinse away with a damp paper towel.
#2: Lemon/lime Juice Paste
Citric acid is one of the known organic compounds that effectively dissolve rust. To remove rust, you can use lemon or lime juice partnered with a natural light abrasive to clean your stainless steel.
To use:
Mix equal parts of lemon juice and baking soda or salt to create a paste.
Cover the rusted area with the paste.
Use damp clothes to gently scrub with the grain until the rust disappears.
If this does not immediately work, apply more paste to the rust and let it sit for 30 minutes, then repeat step 3 until the rust is removed.
Rinse with warm water and wipe dry.
#3: Vinegar Spray
White vinegar is effective at treating mild cases of rust. It is also a safe and effective disinfectant for cleaning stainless steel.
To use:
Dilute vinegar with water in a spray bottle.
Spray rust-affected areas.
Gently scrub the rust with a cloth or sponge until the rust has been removed.
Rinse with warm water and wipe the area dry.
#4: Dish Soap and a Potato
A potato can be a surprising ally when it comes to defeating rust. Potatoes naturally contain oxalic acid which can dissolve rust.
To use:
Cut a potato in half and apply dish soap to the cut end.
Rub potato and dish soap combo on rusted areas.
Leave the potato on top of the rusted area for several hours.
Remove the potato and gently scrub the area with a damp cloth or sponge until the rust disappears.
Rinse with warm water and wipe dry.
#5: Cream of Tartar Paste
Cream of tartar is a byproduct of winemaking. While it is delicious in cakes and effective at stabilizing eggs in meringue, it is also a powerful combatant for rust removal.
To use:
Mix 1 tbsp of cream of tartar and add a few drops of lemon to create a paste.
Rub the paste onto rust-affected areas until rust buffs away.
Rinse with warm water and wipe dry.
#6: Scouring Pad
Note that using a metal scouring pad may cause unsightly scratches and damage to stainless steel. Avoid using metal scouring pads and choose non-scratch scouring pads made with synthetic scrubbing fibers such as cellulose.
Do not use a magic eraser on stainless steel. The microfibers in magic erasers may scratch stainless steel and continued use may remove the protective layer of the stainless steel.
To use a scouring pad:
Dampen the pad.
Gently rub the pad onto rust-affected areas until the rust is removed.
Rinse with warm water and wipe dry.
#7: Oxalic Acid Cleaner
If none of the above-mentioned cleaning agents work, you can use oxalic acid. Oxalic acid is safe to use to remove rust stains and rusted stainless steel. Be sure to carefully read the instructions and take the proper protective measures when using oxalic acid.
To use:
Put on gloves and safety goggles. Ensure that the area you are working in is properly ventilated.
Dissolve the oxalic powder in water.
Apply the mixture to the rusted area and gently scrub with the grain until rust has been removed.
Rinse with warm water and wipe dry.
What NOT To Use To Remove Rust Stains From a Stainless Steel Sink
Harsh cleaning products and abrasives should not be used on stainless steel. Using the wrong products can corrode or stain stainless steel allowing it to become even more vulnerable to further corrosion or rust.
To properly take care of your stainless steel and ensure the longevity of its rust-resistant qualities, avoid these chemical agents:
Hydrochloric acid (oven cleaner)
Chlorides (Lysol all-purpose cleaner, Clorox wipes)
Bleach
Ammonia (Windex)
Hard abrasives (steel wool, steel scrubbing pads, magic erasers)
How To Avoid Rust Stains in Your Stainless Steel Sink
Keep your sink empty. Forgetting that you left that pan to soak overnight might not seem like a big deal, but if you leave it too long it can rust and leave rust stains in your sink.
Avoid sitting water. Moisture can also contribute to the build-up of rust in stainless steel sinks with a weakened protective barrier. Be sure to keep your sink drained and always dry it with a clean cloth after use. Avoid leaving wet sponges or towels directly on your stainless steel appliances.
Maintain your stainless steel. Routine cleaning with the correct products ensures the effectiveness of the anti-rust properties of your stainless steel sink. Avoid using abrasive scrub pads.
Tidy Up Portland! Will Make Your Stainless Steel Shine
When it comes to keeping your stainless steel sparkling, sometimes it’s best to call on the pros. We prioritize exemplary service with an eye for all the small details so stainless steel always shines after a visit from Tidy up Portland!
We guarantee professional cleaning services that are free of harsh cleaning chemicals and do not cost an arm and a leg. Schedule an appointment today and find out why we are the professional green cleaning service Portland can count on!
