How To Remove Rust From Stainless Steel – Sink and Appliances

remove rust from stainless steel

Nothing is worse than seeing your stainless steel appliances, pots, pans, and sink covered with rust and chemical stains. We all feel desperate when the pristine of our lovely kitchen vanishes with time. This situation raises a single question in mind; how to remove rust from stainless steel sink? We have a simple answer to your question!

You can easily remove rust from stainless steel with simple home remedies. Our simple methods will not only help your remove rust from your stainless steel sink, but also from stainless steel all throughout your home and kitchen.

remove rust from stainless steel - proper stain removing cleaning tips
How to Remove Rust from Stainless Steel Sink

Related Reading: Top Rated Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks of 2021


Method 1 – By Baking Soda (Rust Remover)

Materials Used To Remove Rust From a Stainless Steel Sink

how to get rust off stainless steel
How to remove rust from a sink

Step 1:

If you have got some baking soda already in your kitchen, then grab some of it and make your stainless steel rust-free in no time!

While doing so, you have to mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 cups of water. Let the solution rest on your stainless steel sink for some time. Don’t worry about abrasions, as baking soda would not cause any scratches to your stainless steel surface.

Step 2:

Next, rub the solution all over the stainless steel surface, focusing on rust spots. Use a soft cloth for this purpose.

Step 3:

Finally, rinse the surface with clean water and wipe it with a soft towel.

Step 4:

For larger rust spots, make sure to sprinkle a good amount of baking soda all over, covering the entire rusted area. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Use a soft brush or sponge to rub the affected area.

Step 5:

Finally, rinse and clean with a soft towel.

Recommended Reading: Tips and Tricks to clean your kitchen sink and drain


Method 2 – Use of Strong Cleaners

Materials & Tools ( Remove Rust From Stainless Steel)

If you have rusted your beautiful stainless steel by leaving cast iron pots and pans in it for the whole night, don’t worry! You are not alone! We have a solution for you. You have to make use of an oxalic and based cleaner. While baking soda might not effectively remove some stubborn rust spots, oxalic acid will do the trick. You can get these cleaners at your nearest home improvement store, or you can get them from amazon.

how to clean rust off stainless steel sink
How to remove chemical stains from stainless steel

Step 1:

Apply the oxalic-based cleaner as mentioned in the package instructions.

Step 2:

Rub the cleaner in the direction of stainless steel grain, using a soft cloth. Put your maximum effort while doing so; you will surely get your metal shine back at the end of the process.!

Step 3:

Clean the surface with clean water, and gently wipe it with a soft towel

Recommended Reading: Top Quality Kitchen Sinks of 2021- User-friendly Model Reviews


What should you avoid while removing rust from your Stainless steel sink?

You can rub your sink with all rust removers but beware! Stay away from the steel wool and brushes while working on the cleaning of your stainless steel. Moreover, never use cleaners and rust removers that contain chlorine, fluorine, bromine, and iodine. To add to my statement, chlorine can even worsen your precious stainless steel surface by making it more susceptible to corrosion.

Furthermore, the use of steel wool and brushes will scratch your metal surface, and their leftover particles may hang onto the surface, thereby increasing the chances of rust encounter.

Read:Best Workstation Sink of 2021 – Complete Product’s Reviews & Buying Guide


Tips to Protect Your Stainless Steel from Rust and chemical Stains

You could have made a lot of effort in making your stainless steel sink rust-free. But, do you know that there are some tips that will help you protect your sink from rust and corrosion in the future? It’s as simple as it sounds!

The most important tip is to minimize moisture around your stainless steel appliances. This particularly applies to refrigerators and other surfaces that come in contact with the spills and splashes in your kitchen. Make sure to clean all the stainless steel surfaces with a liquid absorbent like a paper towel as soon as you spill a few drops on them. Don’t wait too long! The more efficient you will be in cleaning, the more your stainless steel appliances will shine!

For routine cleaning, clean all those smudges, stains, and fingerprints from your sink and all stainless steel surfaces, using a mild detergent and a soft sponge. Then rinse them with water or wipe with a wet cloth. Don’t forget to dry after cleaning. Did I mention you have to keep your stainless steel away from moisture?

Final Verdict

Last but not the least, you have to dry the smallest and the largest droplet on your stainless steel surface (as soon as you finish your work), to protect it from rust in the future. I know it seems a bit difficult, but I am sure it will save your time in the future! The sparkling shine from your stainless steel will also thank your efforts!

Also Read: Best Under Sink Water Filter of 2021 – Complete Buying Guide & Reviews


We believe that the kitchen is the heart of a home, and the sink is its centerpiece. At Best Kitchen Sinks, our team of editors and writers put their maximum efforts into consolidating buying guides and reviews that are informative, unbiased, and helpful for homeowners in choosing the best kitchen sinks and other related products for their lovely kitchen! Alex Roy is the founder of best kitchen sinks. Being an expert in kitchen renovations, he believes in designing kitchens with the perfect sinks and other appliances to make kitchen tasks easy and free of mess. Alex Roy knows first-hand the challenges homeowners and business owners face when buying the best sinks and appliances for their kitchens. Besides the honest reviews on top kitchens sinks and filters, you will also find much information regarding kitchen sinks. From installation and plumbing to cleaning the kitchen sinks and troubleshooting any sink problem, our detailed and step-by-step guides will help you maintain your kitchen sink in the perfect shape at a minimal cost.