How To Clean A Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink Rack

Not many people have a kitchen sink rack, but those that do know that its both a lifesaver and a major pain. A great way to protect your sink from scratches and rust, if you can fit it in the dishwasher than its easy to clean. If not, you are going to be scrubbing and scrubbing and trying to get inventive to cut back on your cleaning time.

To clean your stainless steel sink rack, you can throw it into your dishwasher, scrub it with soap and water, use a strong chemical compound, or use a steam machine to kill the bacteria. You always have the option to bring it in for professional cleaning, however, that can be expensive.

Cleaning your kitchen sink rack is important in maintaining its aesthetic as well as preserving its lifespan. Read below for the specifics on how to clean your sink rack and keep it in tip-top shape!

If your kitchen sink rack isn’t too dirty you can use soap and water and a sponge to clean it. This is a good idea even if you are going to deep clean it once a week. If you take care to wipe it down daily, it will take much longer before any noticeable buildup occurs.

Simply fill the sink with hot soapy water, so that the kitchen sink rack is covered. You can also flip it over so that the rubber legs are facing up, that way you won’t have to fill the sink as high. Let it soak for about 20 minutes and then take the scratchy side of a regular sink sponge and clean off the grates.

Make sure to get the corners as well, as this is where most buildup happens. This quick and easy maintenance will help cut back on the deep cleaning time later.

There are many different cleaning agents on the market that will help you clean your kitchen sink rack. Just make sure they are good to use on stainless steel before purchasing, so you don’t risk damaging the finish.

With these, you will want to follow the manufactures directions, as their applications can be quite different. Typically, you will spray these on and let them sit while they do their magic work, breaking up the grease and grime.

Then you will use a sponge to clean off the cleaning agent and everything that was stuck to your rack. Although these are a good way to get things clean, many people nowadays feel hesitant using harsh chemicals in their homes.

Place the brush against the kitchen sink rack and pull the trigger to allow the steam out. Using the wand in the same way you would a scrubber, lightly move up and down the rack. Go in the same direction as the rack slats and cover both sides. Allow the steam to do the work here, no need to scrub very hard, just hard enough to help it work where needed.

Make sure that you are cleaning your rack in a place that won’t be negatively affected by the steam. If you are using your hands to hold the rack, wear rubber kitchen gloves to protect yourself from steam burns.

These racks come in all shapes and sizes. They fit at the bottom of your sink, being held off the floor with their rubber feet. This will stop your stainless-steel sink from getting scratches from silverware and your pots and pans.

If you leave items too long in your sink you might notice rust spots accumulating that are a pain to get out, but with a sink rack, this won’t happen. You can also use them to break up the sink into different sections.

Because these come in all shapes and sizes, you may have one that fits inside your dishwasher. This is really handy as you just pop it in with your regular dishes, once or twice a week, to keep it clean. If yours doesn’t fit then you are going to have to hand wash it, which can be a strenuous and long process.

Related Questions

Are Kitchen Sink Grids Necessary?

Sink grids (or racks) are a great way to protect the bottom of your sink from rust and scratches. Even a stainless-steel sink isn’t impervious to abrasions, and a grid will help keep things from scraping it. This will help maintain the look of your sink and keep it looking new, longer.

Can I Use Bleach to Clean My Stainless-Steel Sink?

Although bleach has its uses, cleaning your sink should not be one of them. Bleach and stainless steel react with each other in a way that can corrode and turn it black. If you leave bleach in the sink it can also make it porous and easily stained, making it much harder to clean later. Bleach can also damage the stainless-steel strainer and chrome p-trap beneath the sink.

What Should I Not Use When Cleaning My Stainless-Steel Sink?

Refrain from using any abrasive materials, such as steel wool or brushes, as these will scratch the surface of your sink. They will also make your sink and rack more susceptible to rust and staining. Their abrasiveness will leave scratches in the stainless-steel and dull the finish, leaving an unattractive result. Your sink may be clean, but it won’t look pretty.