How to Clean Bathroom Sink Stains In 5 Simple Methods

The bathroom sink is probably the most used part of the bathroom. And given how frequently it’s used, it’s highly likely to get stained. Worse yet, is how visible these stains look given the usual white color of the sink.

So, how to clean bathroom sink stains?

There are a number of ways of getting stains out of your bathroom sink. You can use baking soda and scrub the sink with an old toothbrush. Or, you can go a natural route and use lemon, salt, and vinegar. Bleaching powder also works like a charm. However, every method has certain limitations based on the type of sink.

That’s a basic summary of the ways you can get stains out of your bathroom sink. Keep reading to get details of each method. 

Let’s jump right in.

How to Clean Bathroom Sink Stains In 5 Effective Methods

Stains on your bathroom sink are an eyesore. You would probably want to get them out as soon as possible. Getting the stains out early is important. Because the longer they stay the more stubborn they get. 

But you don’t need to worry. Getting the stains out of the sink is usually an easy process. It will take a little patience. 

So without further ado, let’s get to the ways you can rid your sink of stains.

Method 1: Baking Soda

You can use this method on any type of surface. And it’s also fairly easy to do. 

Tools

Here’s what you’ll need.

• Baking Soda
• Water
• Old toothbrush
• A rag
• Microfibre cloth
• Paper towels
• Vinegar 
• A bowl

Directions

First, pour some warm water and wet the entire sink. Next, sprinkle baking soda all over it. Work the baking soda in with a rag till it forms a paste.

Now use the toothbrush and some baking soda paste from the sink to clean the caulking. Clean under the drain flaps the same way. 

Once you’re done scrubbing, rinse and dry with a dry cloth. Then, wet the paper towels in vinegar and place them on the edges of the sink. 

Keep the paper towels in place for 15-20 minutes. When the time is up, dispose of the paper towels. Finally, rub the entire sink down with the microfibre cloth.

Warning

If your sink is colored, then avoid using vinegar. Vinegar is acidic in nature and repeated use will damage the colored finish. This would likely make the situation worse than the stains. 

For colored sinks instead of vinegar use Hydrogen Peroxide. The application method is the same. You mix the peroxide with water and dip paper towels in it. Which you then use to line the sink. 

Method 2: Natural Cleaners

Vinegar, salt, and lemon can be used to clean the sink just like baking soda. The steps are a bit different though.

Tools

These are the equipment you’ll need.

• Vinegar
• Salt 
• Lemons
• Microfibre cloth
• Paper towels

Directions

Dip the paper towels in vinegar and cover the stains with the towels. Let the paper towels sit for 20-30 minutes. Then, remove the towels and wipe the sink down with the microfibre cloth. 

This will get any hard water stains out of the sink.

If there are rust stains, sprinkle lemon juice and salt on the stain. Following the sprinkling scrub with a toothbrush or dry cloth. That will get the stain out.

Warning

The same warning goes for this method as well. Acidic substances will eat away the color coating on the sink. If you have a colored sink, it’s best to avoid this method altogether. 

Method 3: Bleach

Bleaching powder will get rid of any sort of dirt, grime, or stain. Just apply it see the magic happen. 

Tools

Keep these on hand.

• Bleaching Powder
• Rag
• Spray bottle
• Microfibre cloth

Directions

This is the simplest of the processes. First, pour the bleach into the spray bottle. Then spray it onto the rag. Wet the rag properly. Now, wipe the sink with the rag. Wipe a few times for persistent stains. 

Once you’re done wiping with the bleach-soaked rag, rinse and dry with the microfibre cloth. 

Warning

In case you have a colored sink, don’t use chlorine bleach. Instead use an oxygen bleach like hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide will take longer to work, but it will preserve the color of your sink.

Method 4: Off-the-Shelf Cleaners

The best way to go is usually to invest in a factory-made cleaner. Such cleaners are usually tailored to the task and don’t risk harming your sink. 

If you haven’t used an off-the-rack cleaner before, here are our suggestions.

Product 1: Easy-Off Fume Free Oven Cleaner Spray.
Product 2: Goo Gone Grout Cleaner Spray.

Using these is easy too. Just spray it onto a rag and wipe away the stains. They can even work for removing bathroom mirror stains. For tougher stains, spray directly onto the stain and then scrub with the cloth.

After the stain’s gone rub the surface with a microfibre cloth to keep it dry.

Method 5: Remove Specific Stains

The first 4 methods are general solutions to the problem. But if you have a certain kind of stain you might want to follow this. 

Nail Polish

If you’ve dropped nail polish onto your sink, then use a nail polish remover. Dry the inside of the sink. Then take a cotton ball and wet it with nail polish remover. Now rub the stain out. 

Hard Water Stains

Hard water stains are caused by mineral buildup. In order to remove these use a 75:25 mixture of Vinegar and Water. 

Wet paper towels in the mixture and cover the stains with those. Let that sit for 15-20 minutes. Then, remove the towels and wipe the sink with a dry cloth. 

Mold

Baking soda works like a miracle for mold. All you need to do is prepare a paste with baking soda and vinegar. Next, take the paste and apply it to the molded regions. Let that stay for 10-20 minutes, and then rinse and dry.

Preventing Stains on the Sink

The cleaning processes are quite simple. But much like cleaning stains on bathroom tiles, the process gets tougher over time. The stains keep getting more stubborn the longer they stick around. 

So, the solution is prevention. Here are a few ways you can prevent bathroom 

For Hard Water Stains

This will require you to bear some additional expenses. If you have hard water stains, then there’s too much Mg2+ and Ca2+ in your water. You’ll have to invest in a water softening system to remove these. 

The variable expenses will include the cost of salt for ion-exchange softeners. For salt-free softeners, it will include the cost of potassium pellets.

Whichever softener you choose to use you won’t be disappointed by the long-term returns. Either softener will save you both time and money on regular cleaning.

For Mold

Preventing mold is pretty simple. All you need to do is keep the surfaces dry. This means wiping down the surfaces with a dry cloth after every use. 

Getting rid of mold isn’t only necessary for aesthetic purposes. Mold is dangerous and should therefore be prevented. 

For Rust Stains

Rust stains are a result of high levels of iron in the water. If you invest in a good water softener it should remove the iron from your water. However, for extreme levels of iron in water, you’ll need to invest in a rust remover.

That is all there is to removing and preventing stains in the sink.

FAQs

Question: Will normal chemical cleaners work on stone composite sinks?

Answers: No. If you have a stone or stone composite sink, do not use chemical cleaners. Stone sinks are usually porous. Chemicals will build up in these pores. Instead, look for cleaners made for the specific type of stone.

Question: Will regular cleaning with vinegar wear out chrome finishes?

Answer: Yes. Regular exposure to any sort of acidic substance will eat away the chrome layer. You should also avoid caustic cleaners. Instead, use dishwashing liquid and then dry with a microfibre cloth.

Question: Can scrubbing with hard-bristled brush damage the sink?

Answer: Yes, it can. If you scrub too hard with any sort of brush you can damage the finish on your sink. To prevent this let cleaning agents sit for a while before you start scrubbing. This will get the stains out without rough scrubbing.

Conclusion

That’s all from us on how to clean bathroom sink stains. Now, you can get rid of the stains and have a sparkly sink again. Take your time and follow the directions on each method. 

Make sure you take your time and do it right. Rushing the process can damage your precious sink. Just keep that in mind you can have a lustrous sink in no time.