Stained black sink: discover how to remedy this
It is "common knowledge" that black is the color that hides dirt the best. And while this might be true for fabrics, it definitely isn't when it comes to sinks. The main reason for this is that water splashes in and around a black sink, deposit minerals on the dark surfaces (aka limescale) when the water dries out.
As a result, limescale deposits will be highly visible on the surface of a black sink. Solving and preventing this problem, however, is very simple. Read on to find out more:
Vinegar for cleaning black sinks
To finish cleaning black sinks after a regular wash (with a mild detergent), you can use white vinegar (alcohol or wine). Take a clean, soft, lint-free cloth, wet with a little white vinegar (diluted with water in equal parts), and rub the cloth over the entire surface of the sink. This is also an excellent remedy to remove "fresh" limescale stains.
If you need to do a deeper clean, spray the vinegar-water mixture onto the sink and leave it to act for 30 minutes before rinsing off.
Some recommend using ethyl alcohol: this can be effective, but it depends on the material your black sinks are made of. Ethyl should not damage marble, quartz, granite and other natural stones. But on certain synthetic materials, ethyl could ruin the finish - so make sure before you use it.
Other ways to clean a black sink
There are also other methods for cleaning a black sink properly:
- If your sink can be cleaned with alcohol, you can use a glass cleaner spray. Spray the glass cleaner directly onto the sink, and then wipe down with a cloth. There will be no need to wipe dry, but be careful not to use too much of the productas you could leave streaks.
- Another remedy, which is more eco-friendly, is to use lemon juice. Filter the juice of a couple of leamons and then dilute this with water (distilled water is best). Alternatively, you can also dilute the juice with a little hydrogen peroxide, which will combat unpleasant odors from the drains, and fights mold. Proceed to clean as per the glass cleaner method above.
NOTE: when you need to remove a build-up of grime, you can use sodium bicarbonate and a damp sponge. Scrub the build-up with these, using a soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush.
Ready to make your black sinks shine again?