Keep your new kitchen sink and tap in perfect condition by following the below guidance on cleaning and maintenance.
KITCHEN SINKS
Day-to-day care
Routine cleaning of your stainless steel sink is easy if the following simple procedure is followed:
After use wipe the bowl and drainer with a soft damp soapy cloth and rinse with clean water. In hard water areas, an application of proprietary cream cleaner or stainless steel sink cleaner will avoid any build-up of a dull film of waterborne deposits.
Although stainless steel is an extremely durable material and will withstand a great deal of hard use, it can be scratched by hard or sharp objects. If the surfaces are to be kept in a blemish free condition reasonable care should be taken when handling such items.
Cleaning
Always use a soft cloth. The use of coarse grit scouring powders or soap-filled wire wool cleaning pads is not recommended, since both will mark the surface of the sink. Wire wool pads can leave tiny fragments of wire embedded in the surface and these can rust and leave small brown rust stains. Vigorous rubbing with a soft cloth with a proprietary cream cleaner or stainless steel sink cleaner will remove these stains.
Always remove wet cleaning aids (cloths, containers, etc.) from the sink surface after use to avoid the formation of water marks and rust stains.
Discolouration and heavy staining
In most cases, staining of stainless steel is due to something being deposited on the steel rather than an attack on the material itself. The most common cause of staining is the build-up of a thin film of waterborne deposits on the sink surface, often first seen as a rainbow effect. The build-up of such a film can be avoided by drying the surface of the sink after use.
Should such a film appear, apply proprietary cream cleaner or stainless steel sink cleaner neat and rub vigorously with a damp cloth along the length of the sink surface. After cleaning, rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry.
Wire wool products and ferrous water supply pipes can leave minute ferrous particles adhered to the sink surface. Since stainless steel under normal conditions does not rust, these particles can cause the appearance of small brown rust stains. These stains can be removed using the procedure described above.
Caution!
Certain household products contain substances that will attack the stainless steel surface. They are:
1. Bleaches
Most common domestic bleaches contain Chlorine in the form of a hypochlorite. Chlorine attacks the microscopic Chromium Oxide film on the surface and can cause pitting of the surface.
Bleaches should always be used in the prescribed strength specified by the manufacturers. Undiluted bleaches can cause pitting and staining of the surface and should be immediately rinsed off with plenty of clean water.
All cleaning agents containing hypochlorites are unsuitable for use with stainless steel and, even highly diluted, can cause pitting under certain circumstances. For this reason we strongly recommend that the sink is not used for soaking clothes or cleaning clothes in hypochlorite solutions for long periods.
2. Silver dip cleaners
These are particularly harmful since they contain strong acids that can cause discolouration and pitting. The first sign of this is an iridescent rainbow stain that turns an etched dull grey colour.
Should any silver dip cleaner come into contact with the surface of the sink it should be immediately rinsed off with plenty of clean water.
3. Corrosive foodstuffs
Fruit juices, damp salt, vinegar, ready made mustards, pickle and mayonnaise can cause pitting and corrosion if left in contact with the stainless steel surface for long periods.
4. Acids
Sulphuric, Hydrochloric and other strong acids will cause pitting corrosion, as will photographic developing liquids. If contact occurs immediately wash off with plenty of clean water.
KITCHEN TAPS
Cleaning
We recommend you clean your kitchen tap regularly with hot soapy water to maintain the chrome finish, always rinse thoroughly and wipe dry with a soft cloth to avoid streaks. A soft micro-fibre cloth, such as an E-cloth, will leave great high-shine results.
To remove limescale deposits, a 50% mix of water and white vinegar can be used, always rinse the tap thoroughly after use – do not leave vinegar in contact with the surface.
If the product has a removable aerator it can be unscrewed and cleaned periodically in warm water and vinegar to maintain flow rates.
