How to Clean a White Cast Iron Sink

Sinks made of white porcelain over cast iron remind one of farmhouses and are now considered "retro." They last for decades if properly taken care of; however, they can get chipped and stained with use.
To keep stains from forming, rinse the sink and wipe it down after each use. Protect the porcelain with a sink liner to keep kitchen sinks and the dishes being washed in them from chipping, but remove the liner regularly to wash underneath it. Otherwise the liner can stain the sink. If a stain appears in your white cast iron sink, or if you inherited a stained sink, you have several cleaning options.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sponges and/or cloths
• Paper towels
• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Bleach
• Water
• Specialty cleaners

1. Apply baking soda to a damp sponge and scrub the stains, adding more baking soda if necessary. The baking soda provides just enough abrasion to work the stain out, assuming you are applying brute strength while scrubbing.

2. Rinse off the baking soda and repeat the process if necessary.

3. Remove mineral stains caused by hard water with a sponge or cloth saturated with white vinegar.

4. If that doesn't work, saturate paper towels in bleach and place them on the stains. Allow them to sit on the stains for a couple of hours before removing them and rinsing the sink.

5. For very difficult stains, use specialty products like Kohler Cast Iron Cleaner or Bon Ami.

Tips & Warnings

• Do NOT let dirty dishes or stain-causing foods like coffee grounds, tea bags or powdered drink mixes sit in a white cast iron kitchen sink. Do NOT use abrasive cleaners or implements like steel wool, wire brushes, or abrasive sponges.

Resources

• Kohler Cast Iron Cleaner
• Bon Ami