Most homeowners find it difficult to clean a granite composite sink, but it shouldn’t be the case. When you have the right tools and use the correct method, it is easy.
The sinks get created from a combination of acrylic resins and quartz dust, explaining their gorgeous look and outstanding features. They also cost less compared to sinks made purely from granite.
Granite composite sinks get made under high pressure, making them hygienic, nonporous, and resistant to heat, chips, scratches, and stains. Check out the following guide for effective cleaning.
Table of Contents
8 Steps to Clean a Granite Composite Sink:
You will require to apply different steps on a granite composite sink because it also contains acrylic resin. Though it gets made to look like natural granite, the cleaning method is different.
Essential Items
First, you need to collect everything you will need to clean the sink. The list is as follows;
- Sponge or soft bristle brush
- Mild dish soap
- Baking powder
- Vinegar
- A soft cloth or paper towel
- Hot water
- Soft cloth
Step 1: Clear the Sink
A sink is a place for cleaning various utensils and items like food. Before you start cleaning it, remove all the things inside and around your sink. Examples are utensils, food items, and cleaning stuff.
Dirty and food particles fall inside and around the sink as you clean dirty utensils or foodstuff. Ensure you remove all debris within and outside the sink before embarking on your cleaning.
Step 2: Use Hot water and Mild Soap to Scrub the Sink
You will apply this step only if your sink is mildly dirty or requires a quick clean. Take a soft scrubber and scrub the entire sink using hot water mixed with mild soap. Then rinse it with warm, clean water until spotlessly clean. Take a paper towel or soft cloth and dry the sink thoroughly.
Step 3: Apply Baking Soda
If your sink has stains, use baking powder. Apply it to the entire sink, giving special attention to the areas with stains.
Step 4: Apply White Vinegar
After the whole sink has been covered with baking powder, apply white vinegar to combine with the baking powder. Give it a few minutes to settle.
Step 5: Scrub the Sink
After the vinegar has settled, use a soft bristle brush or sponge to scrub the mixture. Scrub all the dirt and stains away.
Step 6: Rinse with Warm Water
When sure that all the dirt and stains are scrubbed off, rinse the sink with warm water until all the mixture, dirt, and stains are gone.
Step 7: Dry the Sink
When the sink is clear and sparkling clean after rinsing, take a paper towel or soft cloth and wipe it dry.
Step 8: Restore Its Shine with Mineral Oil
After drying the sink, restore its shine. Put equivalent mineral oil of a tablespoon to a sponge or soft cloth and buff the sink using a circular motion. Ensure you apply to the entire sink. When through, wait for approximately one minute, then wipe the mineral oil. The resulting sink’s luster will amaze you!
The above guide is very easy for anyone to perform. If you love doing things with your hands, it is an excellent DIY project. But it would be best if you were careful how you handle and even clean your blanco granite composite sink. Stay away from abrasive cleaning solutions and items.
You may find some cloudy buildup or various stains on your sink. You shouldn’t panic. Instead, use the following procedure to remove stains;
How to Clean Stubborn Stains from the Composite Kitchen Sink
Cleaning stains on a composite sink may seem a hustle, but not when using the following steps.
Stains may either be stubborn or from hard water. In this cleaning guide, we shall look into how to clean both types.
What You Require:
- Whiting powder
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Plastic wrap
- Soft cloth or sponge
Step 1: Mix Hydrogen Peroxide and Whiting Powder
First, mix the hydrogen peroxide and whiting powder to form a thick paste. Follow the mixing instructions that come with the whiting powder you choose to use.
Step 2: Apply the Paste
Take the paste and apply it to the stain. The thickness of the layer should be ½ – inch.
Step 3: Cover the Applied Paste
After applying the paste to all the stains on your sink, use a plastic wrap to cover the applied paste. It should stay covered for a day or two (24 – to 48 hours).
Step 4: Unwrap the Paste and Wipe it Clean
Ensure the required amount of time has elapsed before removing the plastic wrap. Use a soft cloth or sponge to wipe all the paste.
Step 5: Rinse and Dry the Area
After you’ve removed all the dried paste, use clean water to rinse the entire area until spotlessly clean. Then dry the place using a soft cloth or paper towel.
Cleaning Stains formed by Hard Water
As the name depicts, ‘hard water’ causes hard water stains. Unfortunately, not many homeowners are aware of hard water, making it even harder for them to remove the stain. Hard water is water containing high mineral content.
Sometimes, water leaves mineral deposits on the farm sink causing pesky stains. As a result, your composite sink looks awful. You need not fret if your sink has hard water stains.
Things You Require;
- Hot water
- Sponge with a scrubbing pad
- Mild dish soap
- Mineral oil
- Soft cloth
Step 1: Prepare the Cleaning Sponge
First, take the sponge and wet its scrubbing pad with hot water. Then apply a little mild dish soap. You can use the soap either by mixing it with the hot water or applying only a few of its drops to the sponge.
Step 2: Scrub the Sink
Use the sponge to scrub the affected area of the sink. Wash until all hard water stains are gone.
Step 3: Rinse the Sink
After all the stains are scrubbed off, use warm, clean water to rinse the sink. Rinse it until all dirt and particles are gone. Ensure it has gotten sparkling clean.
Step 4: Dry the Sink
The sink may be spotlessly clean but still has got some water on it. Dry all the water using a clean, soft cloth.
Step 5: Restore Luster to Your Sink
Now that your sink is clean and stain-free, why not make it look like new. Take mineral oil and apply it on a soft cloth. Then wipe the entire sink using the material until it shines. When you’ve wiped the whole sink, allow it to sit for a few seconds. Then wipe the oil using a clean, dry, and soft cloth. You will love the shiny appearance of your sink.
The best practice to maintain your composite sink is by cleaning it daily. This way, you will avoid the hustle of doing a deep clean, as illustrated above. The sink will not have time to form stains or accumulate dirt, which leads to a thorough cleaning.
Wash your sink every day using a sponge and warm soapy water. Ensure you dry it clean after cleaning it. You may wonder why you have to dry your sink after its washing. It is to prevent water spots, stains, and limescale from holding.
Washing the sink every day may seem like a tedious and challenging routine, but it’s worth the hustle. You will save your time and prevent you from spending your hard-earned money buying stuff like stain removal agents. Besides, your sink will maintain its luster and always look great.
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Besides cleaning your sink daily, you need to avoid doing some things to maintain it. The following is what you should avoid;
What to Avoid while Cleaning
- Using Abrasive Materials
If you want your sink to get scratches while cleaning it, use abrasive materials like steel wool, scouring pads, and abrasive brushes. Avoid such materials and use soft cleaning items like sponges.
- Cleansing with Harsh Chemicals
Granite composite sinks get built sturdy, but they don’t withstand chemicals. When you clean your sink using harsh chemicals, it will get damaged and end up looking worse than before.
Avoid using chemicals such as sulphuric acid, sodium hydroxide, ammonia, and hydrochloride. If not sure whether a chemical is ideal for your sink, seek advice from experts or the manufacturer. Otherwise, stick to chemicals explicitly made for composite sinks.
- Abandoning Wet Sponges or Washing Clothes Inside the Sink
How many times do you leave a wet sponge in your sink? Maybe several times a day. Most people are guilty. When you leave a damp cleaning cloth or sponge inside your sink for long, it will leave limescale deposits or watermarks. Your sink will get stains, meaning more work of removing them in the future. It may also cost you some bucks.
- Using Plastic Items
Plastic items like drainers or bowls accumulate grit after some time on their bottom. When placed on the sink, the grit could scratch it when moved around.
- Heat
Only the best granite composite sinks withstand heat. The rest can get damaged by heat. When carrying out your kitchen chores, avoid placing hot pans and pots on the sink’s surface or pouring hot liquids inside.
- Dragging Aluminum Cookware
A granite sink comes robust, and impacting your aluminum utensils on it may cause them to have streaks. Handle your aluminum cookware with care within and across the sink.
- Taking Long to Remove Food Stains
Foods and liquids can stain your composite sink if left unattended for long. Ensure to clean such mess immediately before holding. Otherwise, it may be a hustle to remove them, especially those from specific liquids and foods.
Conclusion
Based on the above information, you now know how to clean a granite composite sink. As illustrated, the process is easy. They have won the hearts of many homeowners today because of their appealing look, durability, and pock-friendly prices.
Though these sinks come sturdy to withstand various modern life stresses, they may get damaged or look dull if not cleaned or maintained well. It is therefore recommended to clean your composite sink daily.
Cleaning stains and a filthy sink entails a lot of energy and spending some money on cleaning agents. You will save on money and energy in the future if you handle and clean your sink correctly and on time.
