Care and Cleaning of Elkay Stainless Steel Sinks
Your Elkay sink is made from the finest nickel bearing stainless steel. Its mellow satin surface harmonizes with any color scheme...Any decor. Timeless. Elegant. And, like fine silver, its beautiful finish becomes lovelier with use and age. Your Elkay sink is solid stainless steel and with proper care and maintenance will give you a lifetime of service.
Elkay Satin Finish
Elkays original highlighted satin finish is produced by an abrasive grinding operation which lends a uniform pattern of satin finish lines to the metal surface. All exposed areas then undergo a series of progressive machine and hand polishing operations. It is this careful polishing that makes an Elkay satin luster finish so beautiful...and so easy to clean and maintain.
Recommended Cleansers
Elkay has tested general household cleansers to measure their effectiveness in cleaning stainless steel sinks. The most effective cleansers consist of Bar Keepers Friend, Zud and Lawrence Right Work. Other cleansers, which are still effective, but less aggressive include Comet, Shiny Sinks Plus, Luneta, Soft Scrub, Mr. Clean and Flitz. So to help maintain the beautiful finish of your stainless steel sink, use one of the cleansers that Elkay recommends.
Recommendations For Cleaning
- Do...Rinse thoroughly after each use. Thorough rinsing can be done by running the water for a few minutes and rubbing the cleaned area with a sponge.
- Do...Towel dry after each use to prevent mineral deposits from building up on the surface of the sink.
- Do...Scour the sink once a week, being sure to rub in the direction of the satin finish lines, using an Elkay recommended cleanser.
- Don't...Scour the sink across the satin finish lines. Scouring across the satin finish lines can damage the original sink finish.
- Don't...Allow liquid soap or other household cleansers to dry on the surface of the sink. Most brands contain chemical additives which will affect the original high luster finish.
- Don't...Leave standing solutions of chlorine bleach and water in the sink for extended periods of time. Chlorides, which are found in most soaps, detergents, bleaches, and cleansers, are very aggressive to stainless steel. If left on the sink too long they can cause surface pitting.
- Don't...Use a steel wool pad to clean your sink. If a more abrasive product is needed, use a Scotch BriteŽ pad being sure to rub in the direction of the satin finish lines. Steel wool pads have a tendency to break apart and small particles of steel can become embedded in the surface of the sink. The steel particles will rust and will give the appearance that the sink itself is rusting.
- Don't...Use rubber mats or dishpans in the sink to protect the finish. Leaving rubber mats or dishpans in the sink can lead to surface rust or possible pitting. However, if you do use mats or dishpans please remove them after each use.
- Don't...Leave wet sponges, cloths, or cleaning pads on the sink. This can lead to surface rust.
Following these recommendations for the care and cleaning of your stainless steel sink will insure that it will provide you with many years of service.
Chlorides
Today, chlorides are found in most all soap, detergents, bleaches and cleansers; chlorides can be aggressive to stainless steel. However, chlorides are very water soluble. Therefore, THOROUGH RINSING of your sink after each use to remove any chloride residue and a weekly scouring is all that is required to keep your sink looking bright and shiny.
Scratches
Like many metallic surfaces, your stainless steel sink will scratch. These are merely usage scratches and over time will blend into the overall finish of your sink.
Knives
Your sink is designed to serve as many things but not as a cutting board or chopping block. This type of use will lead to deep scratches in the sink finish and will dull your knives. Elkay does offer various cutting boards which will provide an additional work area.
Water Quality
The quality of your water can affect your sink's appearance. If your water has a high iron content, a brown surface stain can form on the sink giving the appearance of rust. Additionally, in areas with a high concentration of minerals, or with over-softened water, a white film may develop on the sink. To combat these problems, we suggest that the sink be towel dried after use, and again, on a weekly basis, the sink should be cleaned using a recommended abrasive cleaner.
Foods
Heavy salt concentration or foods containing high levels of salt should not be allowed to dry on the sink surface. Rinse your sink thoroughly after use.
What To Do If You Have A Problem
Elkay Manufacturing Company is proud of the quality of its stainless steel sinks. The sinks are warranted to be free of manufacturing defects for one year from date of installation.
Our experience has shown that any manufacturing defects will become noticeable during this time.
If you feel you have a defective sink, please contact your plumber for the name of your local Elkay representative, or contact the Consumer Service Department of Elkay Manufacturing Company at 1-800-223-5529. Please provide your sink model number, the date of installation, and a description of the problem.
For a full warranty explanation, and limitations, please consult your warranty sheet.
Accessories
Elkay colanders, drain trays and vinyl covered rinsing baskets are designed to be Dishwasher Safe. These products should be hand washed in a mild detergent, rinsed thoroughly and hand dried. Wood cutting boards should never be soaked in water. Rinse after each use and then dry. This should be all the care required.
Care and Cleaning of Starlite®/CorianŽ Sinks
CORIANŽ was created for a lifetime of easy care. Just follow the simple guidelines listed below to keep your CORIANŽ surfaces looking as fresh as they looked the day they were installed.
Routine Care
- Most dirt & stains: Use soapy water or ammonia-based cleaner.
- Water marks: Wipe with damp cloth; towel dry.
- Difficult stains: Use an abrasive cleanser and a new green ScotchBriteŽ* pad.
- Disinfecting: Occasionally wipe surface with diluted household bleach (1 part water /1 part bleach).
- Maintenance: Occasionally clean by filling the sink one-quarter full with a 50/50 water/bleach solution. Let soak for 15 minutes, then wash sides and bottom as solution drains and thoroughly rinse.
Removing Cuts And Scratches
Because the solid beauty of CORIANŽ goes all the way through, CORIANŽ surfaces are completely renewable. You can remove minor cuts and scratches yourself by sanding with 180- or 220-grit fine sandpaper until cut is gone. Restore finish with an abrasive cleanser and a new green ScotchBriteŽ pad.
Preventing Damage
In most cases, CORIANŽ can be repaired if accidentally damaged. However, be sure to follow the guidelines here to prevent any permanent damage to CORIANŽ.
- Avoid exposing CORIANŽ to strong chemicals, such as paint removers, oven cleaners, etc. If contact occurs, quickly flush the surface with water.
- Remove nail polish with a non-acetone based nail polish remover and flush with water.
- Do not allow food or beverage residue, or metal canned products to remain on CORIANŽ surface.
- Do not cut directly on CORIANŽ surfaces.
- Run cold water when pouring boiling water into sinks.
- Do not set hot pans directly into sinks.
*Registered trademark of the 3M Company.
Care and Cleaning of Specialty Collection™ Sinks
Mirror Stainless Steel
To retain the sink's original bright appearance, the sink should be rinsed thoroughly and towel dried after each use. Never use abrasive cleansers, including steel wool.
Brass and Copper
After each use, the sink should be rinsed and towel dried thoroughly. To clean the sink, an ordinary mild detergent and soft cloth should be used, then rinse the sink thoroughly and towel dry. Harsh alkaline-based, ammonia-based, or harsh acidic-based cleaning chemicals or products are not to be used. Never use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads. To remove stains and tarnish, a good quality brass or copper cleaner, following manufactuer's instructions should be used. For added protection, coat with a fine automotive wax.
