Reach For Flour The Next Time Your Stainless Steel Sink Needs A Polish

Jul 23, 2023

It's time we take a moment to appreciate how much our kitchen sinks go through. Whether they're holding countless dirty dishes or acting as the go-to place for peeling everything from vegetables to shrimp, these often-overlooked appliances deserve a little TLC. If you're ready to give your stainless steel sink a good polish, put down the expensive products. After you're done baking something like this incredible angel food cake, you can make your sink gleam with the extra flour.

Using flour as a cleaning product may seem counterintuitive, but the results will speak for themselves. Start by emptying any dishes out of your sink, then give the sink a good scrub with dish soap or your preferred cleaner. Next, make sure your entire sink is completely dry. This is important because any moisture will turn the flour into a paste, which will just make more of a mess. Once everything is dry, shake a generous coating of flour onto the sink, grab a cloth or paper towel, and start rubbing the flour into the stainless steel. Use small circles to buff away any impurities, and eventually, your sink will be sparkling.

The fine particles of flour work as an extremely mild abrasive to remove dirt and grime from the stainless steel. After your sink is sufficiently polished, you can use a slightly damp paper towel to remove any excess flour. If you really want to go the extra mile, apply a very thin coat of olive oil to your sink to seal in the shine. This method of cleaning is perfect for those who want a squeaky clean kitchen without harsh cleaning chemicals. For example, if your sink serves as a bathtub for small infants, polishing it with flour will ensure no irritating substances get on the baby's sensitive skin.

You can also use the same technique to polish other stainless steel surfaces, such as the handles and faucet of your sink, or certain silverware. While it technically would work on a refrigerator or oven, the vertical surface may lead to most of the flour ending up on the floor. Luckily, there is another way to clean your oven without chemicals. Keeping the kitchen clean can feel like a constant battle. Using imaginative alternatives like flour in place of traditional cleaning products can make the process simpler and more affordable.