stainless steel sinks

[PiperPublickOccurrences]

We've just had a new kitchen put in with a brand new shiny stainless steel sink. After just a few days, the sink is scratched. I am reading conflicting things online - that it's impossible to keep the mirrored, shiny reflective surface on a brand new stainless steel sink and that you should expect scratching. Also reading that stainless steel sinks look better after a year or so when they have developed "patina".

On the other hand, there's advice about polishing out scratches. These aren't deep scratches. Just marks from cutlery being put in the basin.

Get a washing up bowl! They mark and it’s difficult to stop it or get the marks out. I now prefer ceramic!

Well of course it does.

I've never had stainless steel before! Trying to work out whether it's worth trying to prevent scratching or whether it's almost impossible.

This is the very reason I would never have a stainless steel sink, ceramic al the way for me.

That's helpful, given that the sink is now in place. Swapping for ceramic not an option.

Use a bowl

I think the scratching is almost inevitable but they are generally not very deep. I’ve just been looking at the Franke website - manufacturers of our sink - and they recommend that you don’t use a washing-up bowl. I’m not going to throw mine away though.

Why aren't you putting the cutlery in a washing up bowl ?

Obviously it will get scratched over time and just looks a bit 'used'

Baby oil is a good polish for stainless steel

^shiny?"

You should have got brushed finish.

I second baby oil (or any oil TBH, even vegetable oil will do the trick!). Makes it look new!

Ceramic is a nightmare! It chips so easily. I think you’ve done the right thing going for stainless steel, OP, but I can imagine that a polished finish is a nightmare to maintain. You could try a bit of barkeeper’s friend. Or you could gently use a Brillo pad to bring that patina on a bit quicker...

My reply was a lame joke in response to the thread title only 😳

WD40 is better than baby oil to shine up stainless steel.