How to clean a porcelain sink: stains, metal marks and rust

Step by step: how to clean a porcelain sink

Safety first. Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia, rust removers or Bar Keepers Friend; rinse the sink well between products. Rust removers are acidic, so wear gloves and keep the room ventilated.

1. 1

   Rinse and wash with dish soap

   Clear out the sink, rinse it with warm water, then wash the basin and rim with a few drops of dish soap on a soft sponge. This takes off grease so stain treatments can reach the enamel.

2. 2

   Spread a baking soda paste on stains

   Mix about 3 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of water. Spread it on yellowing, food stains and the ring around the drain, and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes.

3. 3

   Scrub gently and rinse

   Scrub in small circles with a soft sponge, not a scouring pad. Rinse well. Most surface stains on glossy enamel come off at this stage.

4. 4

   Lift coffee and tea stains with hydrogen peroxide

   For brown stains that remain, lay a paper towel soaked in 3% hydrogen peroxide over the spot for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse. Repeat once if the stain is lighter but still visible.

5. 5

   Remove gray metal marks with a cream cleanser

   Gray or black scuffs from pots and utensils are metal rubbed onto the enamel. Put a small amount of Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser on a damp sponge, rub lightly, and rinse within about a minute. The marks should fade on the first or second pass.

6. 6

   Treat rust spots the same way

   Orange rust stains from cans or a dripping faucet respond to the same oxalic acid cleanser. For a stubborn ring, repeat two or three short applications rather than leaving the product to sit.

7. 7

   Rinse thoroughly and dry

   Rinse every trace of cleanser off with warm water, then dry the sink with a microfiber cloth. Drying prevents mineral rings and lets you see whether any marks remain.

What kind of porcelain sink do you have?

“Porcelain sink” usually means one of three materials, all with a glassy surface that dulls if you scour it. The care is similar, but enamel over metal can chip and show rust underneath.

For enameled cast iron, Kohler’s care page says abrasive cleaners are not recommended and suggests a gentle cast iron cleaner rubbed with a soft cloth to remove pot marks.

What not to use on a porcelain sink

Avoid anything gritty or metal. Enamel is hard but thin, and scratches make it dull, stain faster and show more metal marks.

• Steel wool, wire brushes and green scouring pads.
• Gritty powder cleansers used often or with heavy pressure. A cream cleanser is gentler.
• Rubber dish mats. Kohler says bacteria can grow under them and permanently discolor the enamel, and that this staining is not covered by its warranty.
• Undiluted bleach left to sit, which can dull older enamel and yellow some finishes. Rinse promptly if you use it.
• Drain cleaner splashes, which can etch the glaze.

A melamine sponge (Magic Eraser) removes metal marks well but is mildly abrasive. Use it lightly, wet, and not every day.

Is Bar Keepers Friend safe on a porcelain sink?

Yes, used briefly and rinsed. The Bar Keepers Friend FAQ lists porcelain and ceramic as safe surfaces and says to leave the product on no longer than one minute. Its oxalic acid dissolves rust and metal marks without heavy scrubbing.

The Soft Cleanser is a liquid cream, which makes it easier to use gently on a glossy sink than the original powder. Do not use either on a colored or matte specialty finish without testing a hidden spot first, and check your sink maker’s guide.

For chips that show black metal underneath, clean and dry the spot and use a porcelain touch-up kit before rust spreads. If rust keeps coming back across the basin, or the enamel is worn through in large areas, reglazing or replacing the sink is the longer-term fix. For a stainless sink, see how to clean a stainless steel sink.

Mistakes to avoid

• Scrubbing with a green scouring pad and dulling the gloss, so the sink stains faster.
• Leaving a rubber mat in the basin, which traps water and can stain the enamel.
• Letting Bar Keepers Friend or a rust remover sit for 10 minutes instead of rinsing within a minute.
• Mixing bleach with vinegar or a rust remover to get a stronger cleaner.
• Ignoring a small chip on enameled iron until rust spreads under the enamel.