Stainless steel is a popular choice for office sinks, rental properties and appliances. It’s tough and durable and has the capacity to look really smart. However, it can be difficult to clean and returning items to pristine showroom condition can be quite a challenge. Nevertheless, using a few simple tips should help keep them looking good.

• Stainless steel-sinks are tough, durable and resistant to damage.
• Watermarks and other blemishes can make maintaining their appearance challenging.
• Recommended tips should help to keep them stain-free.

You’d think there was a clue in the name, but actually, everyone who has a stainless-steel sink or appliance knows…they’re not actually that stainless. It’s true that they can be bright and shiny, and they are resilient because you can’t crack or chip them.

However, watermarks or food marks and finger marks can linger and actually be quite stubborn to remove so what could look like a real statement sink or kitchen appliance can actually look a bit of a mess.

First of all, the thing you mustn’t do is have a go at your sink with a metal scourer because no matter how gentle you think you can be you will inevitably scratch it. What’s more, the small iron particles which remain will corrode and even if they themselves are hard to see, the overall effect will be dull. Likewise, it pays to be careful with metal kitchen implements and knives as they too can scratch the surface.

Avoid letting cloths dry out on the sink’s surface as they are likely to dull the surface underneath. The same goes for wet sponges, cleaning pads, dishcloths and, perhaps more surprisingly, cast iron or steel cookware which can cause surface rust.

Tried and tested regular cleaning routines with vinegar and bicarbonate of soda, or soap and water solutions are quick and easy approaches. Always move the cloth and rub in the direction of the grain and then a quick wipe over with glass cleaner or olive oil can really buff up the sink and bring back a showroom shine.

Dedicated stainless steel cleaners will also work well but if the cleaning product isn’t a dedicated make sure that it doesn’t contain ammonia or bleach as they can cause damage.

Finally, on the basis that little and often prevents cleaning jobs from becoming bigger than they need to be, keep a stainless-steel sink in pristine condition by making sure you give it a rapid wipe after each use and keep it dry.

Stainless steel sinks are popular in rental properties because of their durability. Nevertheless, no matter how reliable the tenants, sinks are likely to be showing signs of wear and tear at the end of a lease.

In between tenants it may be worth using a professional cleaning company to ensure that the property maximises its initial rental appeal and sets a standard of care for both landlord and tenant.