How Do I Keep My Kitchen Sink from Rusting?

Kitchen sinks of all kinds, even stainless steel, can develop some rust and rust stains over time. When that happens, it’s important to have a reliable rust stain removal method up your sleeve so you can restore its condition, rather than letting the problem continue to worsen to the point where you need to replace the sink entirely.

Here’s a quick overview of what you should know about removing rust stains from stainless steel sinks.

Rust on stainless steel? It can happen

While stainless steel is quite durable, it does require some regular maintenance to keep it looking its best. Over an extended period of time, a lack of maintenance can result in the steel looking dull and dingy. You’ll need to regularly wipe your sink to remove water that could result in water spots, rust or discoloration.

Stainless steel can also be prone to scratching, so make sure you use non-abrasive pads and cleansers whenever cleaning stainless steel kitchen sinks.

Most of the time, the rust in a stainless steel sink won’t actually be forming on the steel itself, so long as the steel is of good quality. Instead, it will be left behind from cast iron pans or other pans that soaked in the sink, from utensils or flatware, from metal cans left in the sink, from wet sponges or towels, from certain kinds of dish soaps or from large quantities of iron in your water.

Removing rust stains

The best way to remove rust stains is with Magica rust remover, which is highly effective at getting rust stains out of just about any kind of material. Simply follow the directions on the packaging.

You’ll spray a little bit of the rust stain remover onto the surface and let it soak in briefly before attacking it with a non-abrasive sponge, cloth or brush. Then, rub the Magica into the sink, going in the direction of the metal grain to be extra careful. If this does not completely remove the rust stains, you can repeat the aforementioned steps as necessary, and add a little elbow grease to encourage it.

Once you’ve finished removing the rust stains, you can rinse out the sink with warm water, and then use a soft, dry towel to dry it up so you can prevent water spotting from occurring.

If you do not have any Magica handy, make sure to order some, and in the meantime, avoid using any cleaners that contain chlorides, as these can remove the protective film from stainless steel. In addition, never use any steel or metal brushes, steel wool or abrasive sponges, as these could scratch the surface. Steel wool in particular could not only scratch the surface, but also leave behind other particles that could rust in your sink and cause further problems.

Interested in learning more about the best methods of rust stain removal and how to effectively use our rust stain remover in your kitchen sink and beyond? We encourage you to contact Magica, Inc. today with your questions.