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Care and Cleaning of Household Sinks
by Dan Auer

Description: Easy tips for cleaning a variety of household sinks.

For cleaning your household sinks, most common household cleaners will meet your needs. Avoid using industrial and abrasive cleaners, such as those used for toilets. Also, avoid using heavy-duty scrub sponges, bleach, products that state on the label that they remove tarnish and rust, and those containing hydrofluoric, hydrochloric and/or phosphoric acids or caustic agents. For stubborn stains and/or mineral deposits, a mild abrasive cleaner can be used. Current examples of mild abrasive cleaners are Bon-Ami, Barkeeper's Friend, Zud or Soft Scrub without bleach.

After every use or cleaning, it's best to wipe your sink dry with a soft cloth to prevent water spotting and mineral build-up. We recommend that you clean regularly.

To remove hard water deposits and soap scum, use a 50/50 mix of vinegar or liquid Lysol and water.

Vitreous China & Fireclay Sinks - Rinse thoroughly and use a soft cloth to wipe the product dry after each use. Soft abrasive cleaners may be used but strong abrasive cleaners will scratch and dull the surface.

Glass Sinks & Bowls – To avoid damage, it is very important to follow the manufacturer’s cleaning and care instructions. Generally, clean with soap suds and water, then wipe dry with a soft cloth should remove most stains. The glass bowl should be wiped dry with a soft cloth after each use. Strong abrasive cleaners will scratch and dull the surface.

For hard to remove stains:

1. Use abrasive cleansers such as Ajax, Comet, Bon Ami or Bar Keeper's Friend.

2. Use an abrasive pad, such as Scotch-Brite.

3. For stubborn stains, fill your Swanstone sink about one-quarter full with a 50/50 solution of bleach and water. After ten or fifteen minutes of soaking, drain the solution from the sink as you wash and rinse both sides and bottom. Note: Do not use steel wool or metal scouring pads.

For mineral-based stains:

Use cleansers designed to remove iron or rust, such as Rust Out, Wink, or Lime Away.

For marks or discoloration:

White automotive rubbing compound can be used to remove stubborn marks or discoloration.

For scratches:

Begin by using a Scotch Brite abrasive pad. If this doesn't remove the scratch, use sandpaper, beginning with the coarsest grit and moving to finest grit until the scratch disappears. Blend area in with an abrasive finishing pad.

A wide variety of quality kitchen sinks and bathroom sinks can be found at Faucet.com.

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