Plastic washing up bowl in stainless steel kitchen sink - why?

Boat, a quick wipe over with a mild bleach solution removes any stains on stainless steel. There's also a powder cleaner called Bar Tender's Friend which works well.

Bicarbonate of soda applied with a damp sponge will clean most stains from a sink.

Amazed I've started a discussion that has generated so many contributions!

My sink is very old and unless my eyes deceive me there are no scratches or stains. I wash it out with washing up liquid and do not use sponges. My hand is enough or as someone said earlier, a washing up brush. Lemon kept by the sink is lovely to use up for cleaning, wonder if that's why there are no scratches or stains. You know what they say about the old household cupboard having items at the ready for cleaning all sorts. Dregs not a problem in our household either, if missed they go on the roses unless it is freezing out. I know it's tea leaves but it is liquid and they are close to the door. Gives me a chance to get some air if I need an excuse! Very interesting reading comments made.

Boat, I bet Brillo pads would clean the tea bag stains.

Would brillo pads not scratch the sink?

I use Brillo pads to clean my sink which is the standard B and Q single stainless steel single sink. Maybe they do leave scratches so small that I can't see them.

Moocow, do you use loose tea leaves ?

For stainless steel, non-stick and enamel surfaces, I use 'Washup Wiz' from Lakeland which is a bit pricey but lasts, literally, for years and is completely non-scratchy. Bartender's Friend is also invaluable on stainless steel. My daffodil-yellow washing up bowl gets bleached every so often to keep it looking cheerful.

boat sprinkle bicarbonate of soda round stained area and rub.

Ok Alexa. I've obviously got that wrong. ?

No you are right Anne I bet there are small scratches.

Alexa yes. Why do you ask?

But how do you soak your orchids if you don’t use a bowl?
The sink is too big, they fall over.
I could have gone outside but it was raining.
Sorry my sink isn’t stainless steel but to heck with it surely any sink will do?

Moocow we need to know what the lovely colour of the washing up bowl was....as a matter of urgency.

I've inherited a ghastly white sink which constantly stains in my new house and no room for a dishwasher. So, I use a small plastic bowl for w/u. I'm on a water meter, a new thing for me, so I'm very aware of water use. I would imagine my bowl & sink are some of the cleanest and germ free in the country. Even when I had a huge triple sink & a dishwasher at my old property, I still used a bowl. Always conservation conscious....
I can never understand why large sinks are filled to the top for w/u but, we are all different- thank God

Moocow I asked because it seems well worth while using tea leaves from tea pots but I'd not use tea bags as soil improvers.