What Is the Difficulty of Cleaning a Black Sink?
- Rust stains are brown or red in color and are caused by iron in the water. This type of stain generally occurs around the drain. Make a paste with borax powder and lemon juice and apply it to the rusted areas. Allow it to dry and then rinse with water. Make a solution of one part oxalic acid and 10 parts water. Apply the mixture to the stains and immediately rinse. You also can try combining equal parts of scouring powder, cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide. This mixture will need to set on the stain for at least 30 minutes before you scrub and rinse.
- Green or blue stains are caused by copper or acid in the water. Acidic water is laden with brass and copper contents. Acidic cleaners are effective on this type of stain. You also can use white vinegar, lemon juice or phosphoric acid. A diluted mixture of hydrochloric and sulphuric acid can be used for stains that have been present for a very long time.
- Brown or black stains are the result of manganese and other minerals in the water. These minerals cause limescale deposits. You will need a cleaner that contains sequestrants in order to remove this type of stain. A sequestrant prevents minerals from chemically bonding with other minerals. The chemical bonding process is what creates limescale. Examples of items containing sequestrants are: a combination of cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide; one tsp. of Calgon water softener in a gallon of water; a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda; and 2 to 4 tbsp. of trisodium phosphate in a gallon of water.
- The surface of porcelain enamel sinks can gradually dissolve by repeated use of acidic cleaners. Do not use strong chemically acidic cleaners on porcelain enamel. Natural cleaners, such as lemon juice and vinegar, are only mildly acidic and are safe to use on porcelain enamel.
- Some products may say one thing but that may not exactly be the case. For example, a granite sink may say granite but may only be a composite that contains a small amount of granite dust, and is made mostly of heavy duty plastic or other materials. It is best to follow the cleaning instructions provided with your sink or look for a label on the underside of the sink for manufacturer contact information.
