LTH Home

Cleaning the sink

Cleaning the sink
  • Forum HomePost Reply BackTop
  • Cleaning the sink

    Post #1 - December 11th, 2011, 2:13 pm
    Post #1 - December 11th, 2011, 2:13 pm Post #1 - December 11th, 2011, 2:13 pm
    I have a 1920s kitchen with an elderly white porcelain sink. Not only does it get gray scrape marks from every pot and pan, but there are are ancient stains I can't seem to remove.

    I've been using bleach-based scouring powder to no avail. Any other ideas?

    And, once I get it clean, if ever, what can I do to keep it from getting stained again?
  • Post #2 - December 11th, 2011, 3:26 pm
    Post #2 - December 11th, 2011, 3:26 pm Post #2 - December 11th, 2011, 3:26 pm
    LAZ wrote:I have a 1920s kitchen with an elderly white porcelain sink. Not only does it get gray scrape marks from every pot and pan, but there are are ancient stains I can't seem to remove.

    I've been using bleach-based scouring powder to no avail. Any other ideas?

    And, once I get it clean, if ever, what can I do to keep it from getting stained again?


    Have you tried "Barkeepers Friend"?? It's a powder like Bon Ami but doesn't scratch. I use it on my All clad pans all the time with great success.
    The most dangerous food to eat is wedding cake.
    Proverb
  • Post #3 - December 11th, 2011, 3:37 pm
    Post #3 - December 11th, 2011, 3:37 pm Post #3 - December 11th, 2011, 3:37 pm
    Perhaps a Magic Eraser?
  • Post #4 - December 11th, 2011, 6:19 pm
    Post #4 - December 11th, 2011, 6:19 pm Post #4 - December 11th, 2011, 6:19 pm
    Barkeeper's Friend gets the metal scuffs off my white sink.
  • Post #5 - December 11th, 2011, 8:47 pm
    Post #5 - December 11th, 2011, 8:47 pm Post #5 - December 11th, 2011, 8:47 pm
    I'd pop for a new sink
  • Post #6 - December 11th, 2011, 9:32 pm
    Post #6 - December 11th, 2011, 9:32 pm Post #6 - December 11th, 2011, 9:32 pm
    Many years ago my ex-in-laws claimed they revived a similarly stained sink by leaving a paste of water and ...Tang...coating the porcelain for 24 hours.

    Just saying' :?:
  • Post #7 - December 12th, 2011, 9:02 am
    Post #7 - December 12th, 2011, 9:02 am Post #7 - December 12th, 2011, 9:02 am
    I used a tip from Martha Stewart. (at least I think it was Martha...) Fill the sink with a warm water and bleach mixture. Let sit for 10-15 minutes. Drain. In my old condo, that was the only way I could have a white sink.
    -Mary
  • Post #8 - December 12th, 2011, 9:25 am
    Post #8 - December 12th, 2011, 9:25 am Post #8 - December 12th, 2011, 9:25 am
    I bet Heloise has an answer for that.
    http://www.heloise.com/
    I want to have a good body, but not as much as I want dessert. ~ Jason Love

    There is no pie in Nighthawks, which is why it's such a desolate image. ~ Happy Stomach

    I write fiction. You can find me—and some stories—on Facebook, Twitter and my website.
  • Post #9 - December 12th, 2011, 10:39 am
    Post #9 - December 12th, 2011, 10:39 am Post #9 - December 12th, 2011, 10:39 am
    razbry wrote:I'd pop for a new sink
    Not an option.
  • Post #10 - December 12th, 2011, 12:53 pm
    Post #10 - December 12th, 2011, 12:53 pm Post #10 - December 12th, 2011, 12:53 pm
    The glaze is probably long gone as it is prone to stains and scuffs. You may want to find a porcelain refinisher to re glaze it. People have their bathtubs redone and seem to be happy with the results. Reglazing may be cheaper than replacement.
    What disease did cured ham actually have?
  • Post #11 - December 12th, 2011, 6:54 pm
    Post #11 - December 12th, 2011, 6:54 pm Post #11 - December 12th, 2011, 6:54 pm
    The sink doesn't belong to me. With time and negotiation, I may be able to get it replaced or reglazed, but that's not likely to happen soon.

    Meanwhile, I tried toilet cleaner. It helped some. I may give it another try and let it soak in a bit longer.
  • Post #12 - December 12th, 2011, 6:56 pm
    Post #12 - December 12th, 2011, 6:56 pm Post #12 - December 12th, 2011, 6:56 pm
    latex paint
  • Post #13 - December 13th, 2011, 8:48 am
    Post #13 - December 13th, 2011, 8:48 am Post #13 - December 13th, 2011, 8:48 am
    Have you tried the water/bleach soak? It does work wonders.
    -Mary
  • Post #14 - December 13th, 2011, 9:18 am
    Post #14 - December 13th, 2011, 9:18 am Post #14 - December 13th, 2011, 9:18 am
    LAZ wrote:I have a 1920s kitchen with an elderly white porcelain sink. Not only does it get gray scrape marks from every pot and pan, but there are are ancient stains I can't seem to remove.

    I've been using bleach-based scouring powder to no avail. Any other ideas?

    And, once I get it clean, if ever, what can I do to keep it from getting stained again?


    LAZ,

    I just moved into a new house only to find that the new Kohler tub had dark gray metal scratches from the install. The contractor called Kohler and a tech came out and cleaned them right off with a "special cleaner." I asked what it was and he told be some sort of acid. I'm guessing that it was something mild, like a muriatic acid, diluted a bit. I'm sure you can find some ideas about how to clean porcelain with muriatic acid online. Another option, if you haven't tried it yet, is to make a paste with Borax and lemon juice. Vinegar, Bar Keeper's Friend, and Oven Cleaner has also been known to work on porcelain tubs and sinks.

    Good luck.
    "It's not that I'm on commission, it's just I've sifted through a lot of stuff and it's not worth filling up on the bland when the extraordinary is within equidistant tasting distance." - David Lebovitz
  • Post #15 - December 14th, 2011, 9:44 pm
    Post #15 - December 14th, 2011, 9:44 pm Post #15 - December 14th, 2011, 9:44 pm
    CLR. Well coated.

    let it soak for 10 minutes.

    ScotchBrite pad scrub, rinse well. if it's bad, really bad, you might have to do it multiple times.
  • Post #16 - December 15th, 2011, 10:48 am
    Post #16 - December 15th, 2011, 10:48 am Post #16 - December 15th, 2011, 10:48 am
    CLR works wonders on really dirty grout too!
    What disease did cured ham actually have?
  • Post #17 - December 21st, 2011, 9:31 pm
    Post #17 - December 21st, 2011, 9:31 pm Post #17 - December 21st, 2011, 9:31 pm
    Ditto on the Barkeepers Friend and Magic Eraser. The standing bleach and water for 15 min works well too.
  • Post #18 - December 22nd, 2011, 1:50 am
    Post #18 - December 22nd, 2011, 1:50 am Post #18 - December 22nd, 2011, 1:50 am
    abe_froeman wrote:Barkeeper's Friend gets the metal scuffs off my white sink.


    true to me. i also use Barkeeper's Friend.
    Interested in Houston Roofing
  • Post #19 - December 22nd, 2011, 11:38 am
    Post #19 - December 22nd, 2011, 11:38 am Post #19 - December 22nd, 2011, 11:38 am
    Magic Eraser didn't do anything.

    Comet works fine to remove the metal scuffs, but I'm wondering if there's some way to avoid getting these. I have some rubber mats, but then I have to clean those.

    I'll pick up some CLR next time I see it.
  • Post #20 - December 25th, 2011, 10:13 am
    Post #20 - December 25th, 2011, 10:13 am Post #20 - December 25th, 2011, 10:13 am
    LAZ, it sounds like the finish is toast on the sink. Without resurfacing, you're doomed to constant cleaning and possibly permanent stains. I know you do a lot of research but a I thought I'd share a link I found on cleaning porcelain. I hope it helps! Some of the comments are interesting too.

    http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/how- ... ink-137148

    Merry Christmas!
  • Post #21 - December 25th, 2011, 8:23 pm
    Post #21 - December 25th, 2011, 8:23 pm Post #21 - December 25th, 2011, 8:23 pm
    I'm looking for a re-finisher for my cast-iron sink-- the glaze has worn through to the metal in the bowl of the sink. It's an awesome sink. Does anyone have experience with or recommendations for refinishers? I'm on the N-W side of Chicago.

    Jen

Contact

About

Team

Advertize

Close

Chat

Articles

Guide

Events

more