The water spots depend on your location and the type of water you have. My SS sink always has water spots, except for the first few minutes directly after I've cleaned it. I really dislike the water spots, but they're a fact of life with ss sinks in most locations except for areas with soft, mineral-less water. I knew about the water spots before I purchased the sink, but I purchased it anyway because its other benefits outweighed that one disadvantage.

I clean my SS sink with Barkeepers Friend. Then I dry it with a microfiber towel or paper towels. It looks so gorgeous right after I clean it, so shiny and gleaming. As soon as the faucet is turned on though, I will get spots. Well, there are worse things in this world. The TKO stuff can get really exhausting, and I've learned to relax about that a little.

I forgot to add that I do not have a splashing problem with my sink. I have a 9" deep sink (10" if you include the countertop), and I have a Grohe Ladylux Plus pull-out faucet. One of the reasons I chose that Ladylux Plus faucet is that it is not a gooseneck or high arc, which I worried would cause splashing.

First clean it with hot water and dishwashing liquid. Then Barkeepers Friend.

Chinchette - why do you need two cleansers (dishwashing liquid and Barkeepers Friend)? I just use the Barkeepers Friend, and find it cleans everything down to the last spec. Do the two stages of cleansers help prevent water spots?

I'm not sure if it prevents the water spots. My cleaning girl did it that way and said it was better at taking off grease. I noticed that when she did it they came out better than when I did it. We have a water softener so not sure on the spots.

Bar Keeper's Friend or Bon Ami, then rinse and wipe down with a microfibre cloth. No spots.

Mostly BKF, but sometimes Cameo or Zud (because I happen to have all three purchased at diff times for diff purposes). I will often then dry the sink or let it air dry, and then spray it with 3M SS Cleaner and Polish spray, and wipe/buff with a microfiber (to repel waterspots for a few days).

Being a car buff I use an automotive aluminum mag wheel polish which is also safe for stainless steel (wont scratch)
about every week or so when the sink starts looking spotted or filmy. apply with throwaway cotton pieces in 3 to 4" circle motion as you see black appear on cloth keep turning cloth over till most of the black is gone and a shine starts to appear, then final buff with a cotton or microfiber cloth. Sink will maintain that new look. I have not had to polish the sides of our sink as the spotting and filming only seem to show up on the bottom. I can usually complete both sides in 5 to 10 min,

Thanks for all the advise. Where do you buy Bar Keepers Friend? Also, I guess I should never use an abrasive cleanser like comet.

This question and the answers are confusing me. When do you dry your sink? Is this something that is done when you know it won't be used anymore at night? If the correct products are applied does the sink dry out naturally and look shiny? I have never dried a sink in my life since it seems natural for a sink to be wet. Seriously, I'm not trying to be difficult but I just don't understand the concept of polishing a sink. What am I missing here?

I get my Bar Keeper's Friend at Bed Bath and Beyond. I use it once a week and the dish soap with hot water the rest of the week. When we were on a well the sink had water spots. Now that we are on city water...mostly no water spots.

I get mine at BB&B w/ a 20% off coupon! Basically, the only time I dry the sink, is when I want to spray/apply the 3M SS spray (better to use it on a dry sink vs a wet one).

BKF - learned about it here... it works the best and I tried everything. Even my husband loves it.

I've only had stainless steel sinks and only lived where the water is very hard.

The easiest way to keep it clean and shiny is after the dishes are done I just dampen a paper towel slightly with good ole vinegar and wipe down.

No water spots and sink and taps are sparkling.

Once in awhile when you notice that the "brightness" is gone just put some Mr. Clean or a little bleach in the sink and scrub with a non scratch pad and viola! brand new sink!

Me too on the Barkeepers Friend! I buy it at my local supermarket. I also just live with the water spots as they develop. I am too busy to keep up with them. Flseadog - in answer to your question, I dry my sink after cleaning it because then there will be no water spots and the sink really gleams if it's been wiped dry rather than air-dried. Granted, that gleam lasts only till the next morning when the breakfast dishes are dumped in there, but it's nice to come into the kitchen first thing in the morning and see my shiny sink.

As to the splashing, I have a pull-out faucet which does not splash in my rectangular sink. I know pull-down faucets are more popular on this Forum for a number of good reasons, but I think pull-outs may be less prone to splashing. Also, my friend's pull-down faucet is always dangling out of its holder, just a teeny-tiny bit, and that grates on my nerves (how neurotic am I, right?). So I wanted a pull-out.