Stainless steel looks best when you clean gently, follow the grain, rinse well, and dry to prevent water spots and mineral buildup. That “clean → rinse → dry” routine is recommended by manufacturers like Franke’s stainless steel sink care instructions and Kohler’s stainless sink care tips.

What to use (and what to avoid)

Use

• A soft sponge or microfiber cloth, as advised by Franke and Kohler.
• Mild dish soap/neutral detergent with water (manufacturer standard), per Franke and Kohler.
• Diluted vinegar for mineral film (safe when used briefly and rinsed), as noted in the stainless cleaning guidance from SSINA’s “Care and Cleaning of Stainless Steel” PDF.

Avoid

• Steel wool / carbon-steel brushes, because they can leave iron particles that later rust and stain stainless steel—called out by SSINA and reinforced by Kohler.
• Chloride/bleach cleaners unless the brand explicitly allows them, because chlorides can contribute to staining/pitting if not rinsed off promptly; this is warned about directly by Franke and Kohler’s sink care guidance.

Daily clean (2 minutes)

1. Rinse away grit/food so you don’t rub particles into the finish (a basic practice in manufacturer routines like Franke’s cleaning steps).
2. Wipe with mild soap + water using a soft cloth/sponge, as recommended by Franke and Kohler.
3. Rinse thoroughly, per Franke’s instructions.
4. Dry completely to prevent water deposits, which both Franke and Kohler specifically recommend.

Weekly deep clean (for a brighter shine)

1. Do the daily clean first (soap → rinse).
2. Apply a small amount of non-scratch stainless cleaner/cream and scrub gently.
3. Wipe with the grain, which Kohler explicitly recommends (“working with, not across, the grain”) in their stainless sink care tips and again in their broader kitchen sink care guidance.
4. Rinse and dry.

Remove hard-water spots (white haze / limescale)

If you have chalky white film, it’s usually mineral deposits. A standard stainless approach is:

1. Spray diluted white vinegar onto the deposits, a method included in SSINA’s cleaning guidance PDF.
2. Let it sit briefly (a minute or two), then wipe with the grain as advised by Kohler.
3. Rinse thoroughly and dry, as emphasized by Franke.

Remove rust spots (the orange/brown freckles)

Most “rust” on sinks is surface contamination (iron particles from steel wool, cast-iron pans, or metal items left wet), which is described by Franke and discussed in industry materials like the Nickel Institute’s stainless cleaning handbook (free-iron contamination and cleaning).

Method (gentle and common):

1. Use a damp soft cloth plus a mild abrasive cleanser designed for stainless (avoid aggressive scratching).
2. For stubborn rust staining, many people use an oxalic-acid cleaner; Bar Keepers Friend explains this approach in their stainless sink rust-removal guidance.
3. Always rinse and dry afterward, consistent with manufacturer routines like Franke’s care instructions.

What not to do (to avoid dullness and damage)

• Don’t use steel wool/wire brushes—both SSINA and Kohler warn against them.
• Don’t leave bleach/chloride cleaners sitting on the surface; Franke lists products containing chlorine/chlorides as potentially attacking the surface, and Kohler notes chloride (bleach) cleaners are not recommended and should be rinsed immediately if used.
• Don’t let wet items sit for long periods; Franke notes trapped moisture (like under pads) contributes to water deposits and spotting in their care guidance.

Summary

For a stainless steel sink that stays shiny: clean with mild soap and a soft cloth, then rinse and dry every time. Deep clean weekly by wiping with the grain, remove mineral film with diluted vinegar, and avoid steel wool and chloride/bleach cleaners.