Over time and with use, stainless steel sinks can start to look stained, dull, and old, and may even develop scratches. Some RV owners choose to replace their sinks, and that’s certainly an option. However, before you incur the expense and trouble of installing a brand-new sink in your RV, this post offers some helpful tips. You may find that your current sink just needs a little TLC to get it to sparkle again!
- 1) What Are RV Kitchen Sinks Made Of?
- 2) Is It Normal for Stainless Steel Sinks to Scratch?
- 3) Can Scratches Be Removed From Stainless Steel Sinks?
- 4) What Should I Use to Clean a Stainless Steel Sink?
- 5) How to Remove Stubborn Scratches from an RV Stainless Steel Sink
- 6) RV Stainless Steel Sink Protectors
- 7) How Do You Care for Your RV Stainless Steel Sinks?
What Are RV Kitchen Sinks Made Of?
The four main types of RV sinks that are commonly available on the market are stainless steel sinks, acrylic sinks, plastic sinks, and sinks made of Corian (which is a well-known brand of solid surface, non-porous material made from a mixture of 1/3 acrylic polymer and 2/3 natural minerals – you may have seen our post entitled “How Do You Clean a Badly Stained Corian Sink?“).
Plastic sinks are the most common in RVs, and they’re also the least expensive sink option when replacing a sink in your RV.
Is It Normal for Stainless Steel Sinks to Scratch?
One of the benefits of stainless steel sinks is that they’re unlikely to chip or crack. They are, however, vulnerable to scratches and water spots just from everyday use. So yes, it’s somewhat normal for stainless steel sinks to scratch and become dull, but with a bit of regular care and maintenance, “normal” becomes far less likely.
Can Scratches Be Removed From Stainless Steel Sinks?
It’s possible to bring the luster back to stainless steel sinks, and yes, it’s even possible to remove scratches or treat them so that they’re less noticeable. Deep scratches or gouges are more challenging, of course, but there are actually a few things you can try to make this type of damage less noticeable as well.
What Should I Use to Clean a Stainless Steel Sink?
There are several methods for cleaning a stainless steel sink. Depending on the materials you have on hand, here are some of the most recommended cleaning methods that tend to work best. We’ll start with the method that uses items you’re likely to have in your kitchen cabinet:
Rinse the Sink with Water
First, rinse your sink thoroughly and ensure that you remove all food particles and general grime that may have accumulated in the basin. Use some dish soap and then thoroughly rinse the entire sink with hot water.
Before attempting to remove scratches and stains, be sure to rinse the sink well to remove all food particles, oils, etc.
Coat the Sink With Baking Soda
Sprinkle baking soda generously throughout the sink, coating the entire basin with a light covering. Baking soda works very well on hard water deposits, water spots, and grease. Another great benefit of baking soda is that, unlike some chemical cleaners, it performs its job without leaving any potentially harmful residue behind.
Scrub in the Direction of the Grain
Use a soft nylon brush, a soft sponge, or even a paper towel to gently rub the baking soda in the direction of the metal’s grain. You may notice that as you scrub with the baking soda (in the direction of the grain), more minor scratches seem to fade away, while more significant scratches become less noticeable.
Important note: Don’t use steel brushes, abrasive pads, or steel wool for this job as these can further scratch the stainless steel.
Use a soft brush, sponge, or even a paper towel to scrub the baking soda into the sink’s surface, making sure to scrub in the direction of the grain of the stainless steel.
If you have an extra toothbrush handy, they work well in tight spaces and around the drain and fixtures, as well as around the edges of the sink where it meets the countertop.
Spray Undiluted Vinegar Onto the Sink and Wait
Before rinsing away the baking soda, spray white vinegar throughout the sink (don’t dilute the vinegar with water – use it straight). You’ll notice the vinegar and baking soda bubbling or frothing – this is a reaction that will further serve to brighten your old stainless steel sink. Additionally, the acidic nature of vinegar helps dissolve calcium deposits from hard water, thereby removing water spots. It’s also a fantastic disinfectant.
Wait 5-10 minutes, then thoroughly rinse and dry the sink.
Create a Paste of Vinegar & Cream of Tartar
If you find that stains were left behind after completing the steps above, mix a cup of white vinegar and ¼ cup of cream of tartar to create a paste that will serve as a homemade stain remover. Apply some of the paste directly to the stain and gently rub it using a cloth or paper towel. Let the paste sit on the stain for a good 5-10 minutes. Rinse the sink with warm water and dry it thoroughly.
Buff the Sink With Olive Oil
Once your sink is clean and dry, apply a few drops of olive oil to a cloth and buff the sink almost as though you’re waxing a car after washing it. Buffing the sink and fixtures with a light coat of oil should bring back the sparkle!
Once fully cleaned and buffed with household products or a commercial product, buffing the sink with a bit of oil on a cloth can make it sparkle like new (or nearly new)!
If you don’t have the household products used in the steps above handy, or if you simply want to keep a single easy-to-use product on hand to maintain your sinks, showers, and tubs (regardless of what they’re made of), here are a couple of products that are favorites for cleaning and maintaining the shine of all types of sinks.
Bar Keeper’s Friend
- NEW LOOK, SAME FORMULA. Cleans and Polish. As a bleach-free product, this cleanser is an ideal stainless steel cleaner and can easily remove rust,...
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
- EXTRA DURABLE SCRUBBER: Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Extra Durable scrubber is 5 times stronger*. It requires 80% less scrubbing* *Cleaning performance vs....
- 2. VERSATILE CLEANING: This melamine sponge is a versatile cleaner, effective on surfaces such as walls, bathtubs, oven doors, and can fight marks on...
How to Remove Stubborn Scratches from an RV Stainless Steel Sink
If you find that even after cleaning and attempting to treat fine scratches in your RV’s stainless steel sink, stubborn scratches remain, try the following:
Clean the Sink
Clean the sink very well using dish soap or, if you have some on hand, a strong powder-based cleaner like Bar Keeper’s Friend. Rinse the sink well and dry it thoroughly.
Sand Lightly If Scratches Are Deep
If you’ve got some deep scratches to deal with, you may need to do some light sanding. You can use fine sandpaper (400 to 600 grit) and a sanding block, or use a rubbing compound or abrasive pad. There are also stainless steel repair kits on the market. Results vary.
Be sure to note the direction of the metal’s grain and sand only in that direction, using very light pressure. Never work against the grain, as you may ruin the finish of the sink, causing damage that can’t be repaired. Again, use a light pressure working in the direction of the grain.
Once completed, clean the sink with a cleaner like Bar Keeper’s Friend or use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Dry with a soft microfiber cloth.
Polish With a Stainless Steel Polish/Cleaner and a Microfiber Cloth
You can polish your stainless steel sinks (or stainless steel anything, as long as it’s not coated like many refrigerators are) with a good-quality polish/cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Here are a couple of high-quality products for cleaning and polishing stainless steel. Both products include a soft, microfiber cloth.
Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner Kit
- #1 SELLING STAINLESS STEEL BRAND : Weiman makes the best selling and most trusted stainless steel cleaning products on the market
- CLEAN & POLISH : A pH neutral formula quickly cleans, shines & protects any stainless steel surface. Does not remove scratches.
Bar Keeper’s Friend Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish
- Stainless Steel Cleaning Kit: Includes Bar Keepers Friend Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish Spray and a microfiber cloth. The cleaner effectively...
- Removes Fingerprints: This Cleaning Spray from Bar Keepers Friend is one of the household essentials specially formulated to remove oily fingerprints,...
RV Stainless Steel Sink Protectors
Once you have your stainless steel RV sink clean and scratch-free, a good way to keep it that way is to apply some protection. There are various types of protectors available, so be sure to measure your sink accurately before ordering.
- Cushion and protect glassware and dishes with Camco's RV & Marine Sink Mat. This Mat's small size is specifically engineered for RV & Marine sinks....
- Small size vinyl mat is specifically engineered for RV and marine sinks
- Soft surface protects dishware and sinks from chipping and scratching
- Rigid construction and non-slip feet stay in place, even in busy sinks
- Universal sink accessory
- Fits most double bowl sinks w/rear drains. Protect sink bottom from scratches
How Do You Care for Your RV Stainless Steel Sinks?
If you’ve had an RV stainless steel sink, let us know how you’ve kept yours from appearing dull, scratched, and stained over time.
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Erik
Tuesday 9th of July 2024
Stainless steel products come in different kinds of finishes, one of which may be called "brushed", and may or may not exhibit visible grain. For DYI items made from stainless steel, I have found it easy to create a grain-less "brushed" finish (after major scratches are sanded away) with the help of fine steel wool or a kitchen scrubber made with strands of stainless steel. Using such a tool with a hardness less than sand paper grit will cause only micro-scratches, can lead to the desired dull or "egg shell" shine. If desired, a machine may be used to create a pattern of grain circles. For years I have applied this technique by hand to clean to my stainless kitchen sink, which came with a "brushed" finish, and which is so much more practical than the mirror-like surface of some stainless sinks (although the latter may sell better due to replacement needs). It should be possible to convert your shiny sink to "brushed", but in may require some harder abrasives like sandpaper to first break the shine and then create a uniform but less shiny surface.
Larry
Monday 10th of July 2023
Do these hints work for the black as sinks also?
TheRVgeeks
Tuesday 11th of July 2023
Hi Larry... black stainless steel sinks require additional care, since the "black" is usually a coating on top of the underlying stainless metal. So anything abrasive (including baking soda or Bar Keeper's Friend) could make things worse. We'd suggest checking with whoever made the sink to see what they recommend, as they'd be the experts on the finish and what will/won't hurt it.