Difference between revisions of "Cleaning sinks"

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==Stainless Steel==
 
==Stainless Steel==
 +
* [[Detergent|Cream cleaner]] works quite well, as do plastic & copper scourers.
 +
* Never use steel or iron [[scraper]]s, scourer, etc, these tend to permanently scratch the sink.
 +
* Avoid [[acid]]s.
  
==Asterite==
 
These sinks are terrible to clean if the right cleaning chemicals aren't used. With the right chemicals its possible to keep them nice and clean.
 
  
Manufacturers recommend a cream cleaner with bleach.
+
==Ceramic==
 +
Pretty much any cleaner can be used on ceramic sinks, but avoid iron & steel scourers & scrapers that would damage the surface. The best possible final finish cleaners are [[acid]]s, but these tend to attack the finish on the metal plughole.
  
A far more effective option is biological washing powder paste. Wet the sink, sprinkle a little powder on, and wipe it over the sides as well if needed. Just leave it for as long as practical, hours at least. Very effective indeed.
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The ultimate ceramic sink cleaner is [[Acid|chromic acid]], but its far too dangerous and toxic to be considered for diy or professional sink cleaning use. Other strong acids also give a great finish, such as [[Acid|Sulphuric]] & [[Acid|Sulphamic acid]]. [[Acid|HCl]] is best avoided though, it can discolour the microcracking often present on ceramic surfaces, leaving a permanently poor looking result.
  
Bleach doesn't remove dirt, it just decolourises it. And the rough absorbent dirt surface becomes visibly dirty again relatively quickly.
 
  
Surface [[limescale|scale]] builds up in hard [[water]] areas. Brick acid will remove this, albeit slowly. Repeated application is needed to remove visible deposits. If desposits are heavy, eg around taps, a plastic [[scraper]] can be used to scrape over the scale surface (not the asterite!), and press down on the scale to help break it up.
+
==Coated steel==
 +
These are plastic coated stainless steel sinks, found as a prettier alternative to bare stainless. They come in various colours.
 +
 
 +
Colour coated steel sinks are terrible to clean if the right cleaning chemicals aren't used. With the right chemicals its possible to keep them nice and clean.
 +
 
 +
Manufacturers recommend a cream cleaner with bleach. This works quite well.
 +
 
 +
More effective is [[Detergent|biological washing powder]] paste. Wet the sink, sprinkle a little powder on, and wipe all over, including the sides as well if needed. Just leave it for as long as practical, overnight if possible, hours at least. Very effective indeed.
 +
 
 +
Bleach doesn't remove dirt, it just decolourises it. And the rough absorbent dirt surface becomes visibly dirty again relatively quickly. Its a quick effective way to deal with any remaining stains, but restaining soon reoccurs.
 +
 
 +
Surface [[Limescale|scale]] builds up in hard [[water]] areas. Any powerful [[acid]] will remove this. Low strength acids require repeated application to remove visible deposits. If desposits are heavy, eg around taps, a plastic [[scraper]] can be used to scrape over the scale surface, pressing down on the scale to help break it up, but don't let it scrape the plastic sink surface at all.
 +
 
 +
Don't use any type of metal or plastic scourer or [[scraper]]. The sink's plastic coating is much softer than the steel under it.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Plastic==
 +
Plastic sinks aren't very popular. Its important with these not to scratch them. A good general purpose clean is to wet them with [[water]] & [[Detergent|washing up liquid]], and wipe it off after a couple of minutes. The same methods work with these sinks as with plastic coated steel.
 +
 
  
 
==Safety==
 
==Safety==
 
Never let acid and bleach mix, either in the sink or the drainage trap. The 2 together produce chlorine gas, and a couple of breaths of that can kill.
 
Never let acid and bleach mix, either in the sink or the drainage trap. The 2 together produce chlorine gas, and a couple of breaths of that can kill.
 +
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==

Revision as of 09:55, 2 September 2010

Stainless Steel

  • Cream cleaner works quite well, as do plastic & copper scourers.
  • Never use steel or iron scrapers, scourer, etc, these tend to permanently scratch the sink.
  • Avoid acids.


Ceramic

Pretty much any cleaner can be used on ceramic sinks, but avoid iron & steel scourers & scrapers that would damage the surface. The best possible final finish cleaners are acids, but these tend to attack the finish on the metal plughole.

The ultimate ceramic sink cleaner is chromic acid, but its far too dangerous and toxic to be considered for diy or professional sink cleaning use. Other strong acids also give a great finish, such as Sulphuric & Sulphamic acid. HCl is best avoided though, it can discolour the microcracking often present on ceramic surfaces, leaving a permanently poor looking result.


Coated steel

These are plastic coated stainless steel sinks, found as a prettier alternative to bare stainless. They come in various colours.

Colour coated steel sinks are terrible to clean if the right cleaning chemicals aren't used. With the right chemicals its possible to keep them nice and clean.

Manufacturers recommend a cream cleaner with bleach. This works quite well.

More effective is biological washing powder paste. Wet the sink, sprinkle a little powder on, and wipe all over, including the sides as well if needed. Just leave it for as long as practical, overnight if possible, hours at least. Very effective indeed.

Bleach doesn't remove dirt, it just decolourises it. And the rough absorbent dirt surface becomes visibly dirty again relatively quickly. Its a quick effective way to deal with any remaining stains, but restaining soon reoccurs.

Surface scale builds up in hard water areas. Any powerful acid will remove this. Low strength acids require repeated application to remove visible deposits. If desposits are heavy, eg around taps, a plastic scraper can be used to scrape over the scale surface, pressing down on the scale to help break it up, but don't let it scrape the plastic sink surface at all.

Don't use any type of metal or plastic scourer or scraper. The sink's plastic coating is much softer than the steel under it.


Plastic

Plastic sinks aren't very popular. Its important with these not to scratch them. A good general purpose clean is to wet them with water & washing up liquid, and wipe it off after a couple of minutes. The same methods work with these sinks as with plastic coated steel.


Safety

Never let acid and bleach mix, either in the sink or the drainage trap. The 2 together produce chlorine gas, and a couple of breaths of that can kill.


See Also