Stains on a "stainless" steel sink
by Ingrid
+12
Stainless steel is NOT stainless... I have stains on a Kohler deep sink in my kitchen that are blackish gray and will not come off... no idea, what causes them
I've tried not using bleach , bleach is not the cause... one by one eliminated other things : Jewelry cleaners, tarnex.... no idea what makes them show up..
I've tried all my friend's well meaning remedies : Ajax, steel wool pads, DW40, various stainless cleaners....NOTHING works ! I need help. This sink was expensive, is less than 4 years old and I don't have the time or money to replace it.... Desperate in Colorado. How do I clean my stainless steel sink?
9 answers
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![Barb Adams]()
Barb Adams
on Mar 30, 2018
Try "Barkeepers Friend" (I buy mine at Dollar General). It's a non-abrssive powder. Whatever you use, scrub in the direction of the grain or it will leave scratch marks across the grain that are permanent. Been there, done that. -
![Pjo26908388]()
Pjo26908388
on Mar 30, 2018
Not sure if you have tried Bar Keeper's Friend? If you live where the water has high minerals it may just be a continuous problem. (Tarnex ruins most things and shouldn't be used on anything ever.) BKF has worked for me and I've flipped many homes with dodgy sinks...If it is rust- Navel Jelly or potato skins (let them sit on the stain for a bit) will remove the spots. I know you've tried many things, so ignore these suggestions if you've tried them.Kohler has a decent warranty, it may be a defect of the sink- check to see if others have had problems with the same sink model. Replacing it is a pain and I hope it doesn't come to that. -
![Kac32568501]()
Kac32568501
on Mar 30, 2018
I use Dow Bathroom Cleaner (scrubbing bubbles) Works great for me. -
![Ken]()
Ken
on Mar 30, 2018
Acids will discolor stainless. I made the mistake of tossing a *nearly* empty bottle of toilet bowl cleaner in the sink on my way out the door, to be rinsed for recycling when I got home. Dark gray stain.There is an industrial Scotch Brite pad. It is a maroon color. Some hardware stores or industrial supplies carry it, but it is available on Amazon. Rub it in the direction of the original finish of the sink and it will remove the stain. -
![DesertRose]()
DesertRose
on Mar 30, 2018
The best cleanser I have found is Bar Keepers Friend. It has removed the worst stains I have had, including rust from a pan. You can find it in the section with Comet and Ajax cleansers -
![Barb]()
Barb
on Mar 30, 2018
I know it sound crazy but try covering the sink in catsup. The acid in the tomato might take it off . It cleans copper on pans if you let it sit over nightOr baking soda and vinegar .Wet the sink sprinkle the backing soda all over the sink and then in a spray bottle spray the vinegar over it this will make it foam up .Repeat either of these if you see it is helping until it comes off . Hope that works for you . -
![Joy30150932]()
Joy30150932
on Mar 30, 2018
Try something like Vim or Comet. Check at the store where you purchased the sink and they should be able to help you. You did not say what the sink was made of. -
![Ann]()
Ann
on Mar 30, 2018
Baking soda is used in commercial kitchens to clean coffee stains on stainless steel and aluminum pans. -
![Janet Pizaro]()
Janet Pizaro
on Mar 30, 2018
make a paste with baking soda and water
Barb Adams
on Mar 30, 2018
Pjo26908388
on Mar 30, 2018
Kac32568501
on Mar 30, 2018
Ken
on Mar 30, 2018
DesertRose
on Mar 30, 2018
Barb
on Mar 30, 2018
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