My M-I-L is an apartment manager for the complex that she lives in.
One of the units is up for rent and the kitchen has a stainless steel sink that needs a really good clean. Unfortunately, it has a history. 2 years ago when the unit was last rented, the maintenance people re-grouted the counters and replaced the sink - then washed their grouting brushes off in the NEW SINK! She cleaned it then, but it took 3 goes with whatever cleaning supplies she had. Now that the unit is up for rent again, the sink looks awful, probably because of the original problem and partly to do with minimal care over the past two years.
Any suggestions as to what she could use to try and clean it?
Thanks!
Thanks so much for all the great responses. I passed them all on to my M-I-L.
The Bar Keepers Friend did the trick! And I think they have plenty of suggestions on how to KEEP it looking good.
Thanks everybody! I knew I would find good ideas here!
BarKeepers Friend (BKF in a gold can) or Cameo (in a white plastic shaker bottle) should clean it up well. Cameo is specifically for stainless steel. BKF is like magic for rust stains (anywhere), scuff marks on white porcelain sinks, and the like.
Good luck!
Try Barkeepers Friend. I find it works very well, but haven't used it on a badly abused sink.
I know this may sound odd but use Gel Draino. Most people have it under their sinks for emergencies with the plumbing. I found out quite by accident that it is an instant stain remover for stainless sinks and drain rims. We had a blocked drain and put the Draino in and it has never been this clean. Put a little on a sponge and wipe it down, wait a minute and wash it down. Amazing! I went around to all the drains in our house and cleaned them all in a few minutes. :) (It is a chemical so use with caution)
You may want to try Goof-Off for the grout stuff first - it can also remove paint spills. It's stinky so run the exhaust fan & open the windows. Next use a copper scouring pad and comet to clean and disinfect. If you want it to look shiny and pretty after a thourough rinse douse it with a generous splash of plain vinegar and dump in enough table salt to make a paste and scrub with a new copper scouring pad or stainless then rinse.
I would also suggest Bar Keepers Friend. It keeps our stainless sink sparkling. Best of luck!
Simple Green. Throw some into the sink and fill it as if you were going to use the sink to mop your floors. Let it sit and when you empty it the sink will be nice and clean. Even around the drains where things tend to be worse.
If there is grout or silicone STILL in the sink and won't come out. Replace the sink.
As a bonus simple green is non-toxic and biodegradable for those concerned about that stuff.
Hi there! Has she tried Bar Keepers Friend? I'm not sure about the grout situation but my mother has a stainless steel sink and this has always made it sparkle! Good luck to ya both!
Hi S.,
I used to clean an office for a graphics company and they put just everything in that sink. All the cleaners mentioned will work well and should be used first. Then when it comes time to show the place and make the sink look like new, just wipe it down with a cloth and a little mineral oil.
Have her try white destiled vinager full strenght. I keep it in a spray bottle; however, it should not soak for more than 10 min, as vinager is very harsh on metals. I use vinager a lot, it is my go to cleaner, works great in the shower for harsh water stains. Also have her try Keen Kleen for stainless steel. Then to shine it up I use windex glass cleaner. Hope this helps.
SOS pads, Comet Cleanser and lots of elbow grease.
has she tried going to home depot and seeing what kind of grout cleaners there are?
i usually use bar keepers friend (available at target) to clean/polish stainless steel, but i don't know if it'll clean off grout.
Grout doesn't go around the sink and the counter. That would be silicon. If the stuff is rubbery, it's silicon. You can't clean it. Use a sharp knife and scrape it out. Scrub the area with bleach and let it dry overnight. Then reapply the silicon. It's not hard. Just run the bead all the way around. Then with a wet finger, rub in one smooth stroke over it to make a concave look. Wipe the silicon off your fingers on a paper towel. Let it dry for 24 hrs and it is good to go. I did this three days ago.
It's important to get the gross stuff out...mold, mildew... so it doesn't come back again. That's why I said use bleach and let it air dry.
Stephanie
