Although porcelain sinks are manufactured using tough, durable materials that can last for decades with proper care, unsightly scratches and nicks are easy to notice. If your porcelain sink is visibly scratched, you don’t need to throw it out or call a professional to help you with your porcelain sink repair –there are many ways you can remove scratches from your bathroom sink on your own. Depending on the type of marks, it may require some elbow grease and a few repair essentials to get rid of them completely.
Bleach the Sink
Most of the time, sink scratches are caused by certain accessories, such as curling irons and blow dryers, coming in contact with the porcelain sink. Instead of scrubbing the bottom of your sink with abrasive cleaners, try filling the sink with warm water and adding about two cups of bleach to the water. Let the solution sit overnight; if the scratches are minor, there’s a good chance they will be completely removed by morning. In order to keep your sink sparkling white without having to resort to harmful scrubbing, you should bleach your sink on a fairly consistent basis. In order to keep the routine, add sink bleaching to your Bathroom Cleaning Checklist.
Bar Keeper’s Friend
This commercial cleaner can be found in almost every grocery or hardware store in the country. Available in two versions, a scouring powder and a scrubbing cream, Bar Keeper’s Friend can work wonders for scratches that can’t be repaired by bleach. All you’ll need is a pair of rubber gloves, a sponge or soft scrubbing pad, and whichever version of Bar Keeper’s Friend you prefer. When it comes to scrubbing the solution, be sure to avoid using a sponge that’s too harsh, as you can unknowingly remove the shiny finish of your porcelain sink. Note: this multi-purpose solution can also be used to clean cookware, kitchen, and bathroom surface, so keep it handy for use around the home.
Baking Soda
In cases where the scratches are relatively minor, baking soda can be used to remove annoying porcelain sink scratches. Simply sprinkle baking soda over the length of the scratch, or cover the entire nick with a hefty dose of baking soda. From there, buff the scratches and nicks with a soft, damp cloth. When doing so, be sure to rub the baking soda the entire length of the scratch in a back and forth motion; for nicks, use a circular motion. After a few minutes of rubbing, rinse the baking soda from your sink with warm tap water. If the scratches remain, consider trying Bar Keeper’s Friend.
Pumice Stone
A pumice stone, available at most hardware stores, is another way to remove scratches from your porcelain sink. Plug your sink with a drain plug, and fill the sink with 1/4-inch of water. From there, dip your pumice stone into the water until it’s completely wet – if the stone isn’t drenched, it can actually add new scratches to your sink. Next, scour the scratches with the web pumice stone to smooth and buff away the scratches. Unfortunately, this method will not help with deep scratches, as it’s intended to remove very minor nicks and scratches.