White farmhouse-style sinks are very popular for their distinctive look and often become a focal point of a kitchen. But it’s only after carefully selecting the perfect sink and using it for a few months that many people discover they don’t know how to keep it clean and white like the day they bought it.

Everyday use of sinks – in the kitchen or bathroom – results in food stains, makeup stains and other deposits on the white surface of ceramic or porcelain sinks. Even though you rinse and scrub it every now and then, it can still look grungy.

Advertisements

before and after hydrogen peroxide

You might also try cleaning it with harsh commercial products and elbow grease to restore the pristine white color. But the chemicals in commercial products and excessive scrubbing can erode the surface of your sink over time.

Now, you can leave those worries behind and turn to some common household items to clean white sink in your kitchen or bathroom. A number of nontoxic ingredients can be used in combination to remove the stains, and the best part – no rigorous scrubbing. Yay!

Here are six methods you can use to clean a white porcelain sink. Since the ingredients can be a little harsh (not toxic, relax!), remember to wear gloves while cleaning.

Advertisements

Using Chemicals

Method 1: Bleaching Powder

before and after bleaching powder

Scrubbing the sink with a bleaching powder paste works pretty well for cleaning a white sink.

Things you’ll need:

things you'll need to clean sink with bleaching powder

  • Bleaching powder – 2 tablespoons
  • Water
  • Household sponge

Step 1. Add water to bleaching powder to make a paste

add water to bleaching powder

  • Put 2 tablespoons of bleaching powder in a bowl.
  • Drizzle some water into it and mix the ingredients well to make a paste.

Step 2. Dab the sponge in the paste and clean the sink

dab sponge in paste and scrub

Advertisements
  • Dab the sponge in the bleach paste and buff the surface of the sink in circular motions.
  • For stubborn areas, scrub for 1 to 2 minutes or until the stains come off.
  • Give the sink a final rinse with water to wash away the residue.

final cleaning with bleaching powder

Method 2: Ammonia and Dish Soap

before and after ammonia and dish soap

Ammonia is another powerful ingredient that can be used to clean porcelain or ceramic sinks. Mix it with dish soap and water and use it like a regular cleaner.

Things you’ll need:

Advertisements

things you'll need to clean sink with ammonia and dish soap

  • Ammonia – ½ cup
  • Liquid dish soap – 1 tablespoon
  • Hot water – ½ cup
  • Spray bottle
  • Terry cloth

Step 1. Prepare a cleaning solution of ammonia, dish soap and water

prepare cleaning solution

  • Pour ½ cup of hot water into a spray bottle.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap.
  • Add ½ cup of ammonia as well.
  • Put the cap on the bottle and shake it well to mix all the ingredients.

Step 2. Spray the solution on the sink and scrub with terry cloth

spray solution and scrub

  • Generously spray the homemade cleaner all over the sink.
  • Let the solution sit for 5 minutes.
  • Scrub the surface with a terry cloth, focusing particularly on the stains.
  • Once the stains have come off, rinse the sink with water.

final cleaning with ammonia and dish soap

Without Chemicals

Method 1: Bar Keepers Friend

before and after bar keeper's friend

Bar Keepers Friend is a popular and effective product for cleaning porcelain sinks. Unlike other chemical cleaners that contain bleach, Bar Keepers Friend uses oxalic acid that easily cuts through hard-water stains as well as rust.

Advertisements

Step 1. Sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend on the stained sink

sprinkle bar keeper's friend

  • Sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend generously on the dirty sink. The sink should be a little damp to allow the product to work on the stains.
  • Let it sit for 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Use a wet household sponge to scrub at the stains and scratches on the sink.

Step 2. Rinse off the residue and wipe the sink dry

rinse off the residue

  • Under running water, squeeze the suds out of the sponge.
  • Use the clean sponge to wipe the residue off the sink’s surface.
  • Once done, use a dry terry cloth to wipe the surface clean and dry.

final cleaning with bar keeper's friend

Method 2: Hydrogen Peroxide

before and after hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide can come in handy while cleaning kitchen and bathroom and can serve as a great nontoxic alternative to chemical bleaches. It disinfects your sink and effortlessly removes all the gunk.

Things you’ll need:

things you'll need to clean sink with hydrogen peroxide

  • Hydrogen peroxide – ½ cup
  • Water – ½ cup
  • Spray bottle
  • Terry cloth

Step 1. Mix hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle

mix hydrogen peroxide and water

  • Pour ½ cup of water into a spray bottle.
  • Add ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide to the water.
  • Put the cap on the bottle and shake it well to mix the ingredients.

Step 2. Spray the cleaning solution on the dirty sink

spray the cleaning solution

  • Generously spray the solution over the entire sink.
  • Let it sit for 1 to 2 minutes.

Step 3. Scour the surface with a terry cloth and rinse the sink clean

scour the surface

  • Use a terry cloth to scour the surface and remove all the stains.
  • Give the sink a final rinse with water.

final cleaning with hydrogen peroxide

Method 3: Baking Soda and Lemon

before and after baking soda and lemon

Found in every household, baking soda works as a mild abrasive to cut through stains on a dirty porcelain or ceramic sink. The citric acid in lemon acts as a natural bleaching agent.

Advertisements

Things you’ll need:

things you'll need to clean sink with baking soda and lemon

  • Baking soda – 1 cup
  • Lemon halves – 1 or 2
  • Household sponge
  • Terry cloth

Step 1. Sprinkle baking soda on the stains

sprinkle baking soda

  • Since baking soda dissolves quickly in water, it loses its abrasive properties. It is important to apply baking soda only on a barely damp (not wet) sink.
  • Sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda all over the sink. Sprinkle more over the stains.
  • Let it sit for a while to work on the dirt and grime.

Step 2. Scrub the surface with lemon halves

scrub the surface with lemon

  • Use the fleshy side of the lemon halves to scrub the sink.
  • Once you have scrubbed the entire sink, let the lemon juice sit on the stains for 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 3. Give it a final buff with a sponge and wipe it dry with a terry cloth

give it a final buff

  • Buff the surface with a household sponge to scrub off the loosened dirt and stains.
  • Rinse the sink with water, and wipe it clean with a dry terry cloth.

final cleaning with baking soda and lemon

Method 4: Borax and Vinegar

before and after borax and vinegar

Both borax and vinegar are age-old ingredients when it comes to cleaning and can be used together to shine up and clean a white porcelain sink. They are both economical and nontoxic when compared to other commercial cleaners. Vinegar, especially, is a safe and efficient cleaner that can be found in any kitchen.

Things you’ll need:

things you'll need to clean sink with borax and vinegar

  • White vinegar – 2 cups
  • Liquid dish soap – 1 teaspoon
  • Borax powder – 2 tablespoons
  • Spray bottle
  • Household sponge
  • Cotton towel

Step 1. Mix vinegar, borax and dish soap in a spray bottle

prepare cleaning solution

  • Start by pouring 2 cups of vinegar into a spray bottle.
  • Add 2 tablespoons of borax and 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap to it.
  • Put the cap on and shake it well to mix the ingredients.

Step 2. Spray the solution on the stained sink and let it sit for 30 minutes

spray the solution

  • Spray the solution liberally over the entire sink.
  • Let the solution sit for 30 minutes.

Step 3. Scrub with a sponge and wipe off the residue with a dry towel

scrub the surface

  • Work on the stains using a household sponge. Scrub in circular motions to target stubborn stains.
  • Wipe off the loosened grime with a clean and dry towel.

final cleaning with borax and vinegar

Tips

  • To avoid staining, don’t let fruits, vinegar or other acidic foods sit in the sink for too long.
  • When using the sink, place a rubber or perforated plastic mat in the base of the sink to prevent stains and scuff marks. Remove the mat when not in use to avoid additional stains.
  • Clean your white porcelain sink on a regular basis with some dish soap. Scour it with a soft sponge, rinse it with water and wipe it dry with a clean cloth.
  • Do not leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight. It gives ample time for the acids and oils to stain your pearl white sink.
Advertisements