How to Clean porcelain stains

Brown, black, and yellow stains on porcelain tubs and sinks are unsightly. Age, bleach, and drain cleaners may be the cause. A product such as Liquid Plumber which is an acid will eat the glaze off of porcelain if it is not immediately cleaned up from around the drain. You don’t want to use bleach to clean stains as it may only make the problem worse. Using bleach on porcelain where the glaze is removed will leave stains. If bleach is allowed to sit in the tub it can react with the metal around the drain and leave brown stains throughout the tub. Try these chemical free cleansers first.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Pour undiluted distilled white vinegar on the stain.

2. Pour more white vinegar on a folded paper towel or cloth.

3. Place the saturated towel on the stain and cover with plastic wrap. This will keep the vinegar from evaporating.

4. Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes. This can be left for hours, even over night.

5. Scrub the stain thoroughly with a plastic scrubber or brush.

6. Rinse and follow up with a general cleanser or cleaning product.

7. If the stain persists, try the same steps using hydrogen peroxide. Or you can make a thick paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and allow to sit.

8. You can also try Clorox 2 liquid and Oxy Clean.

9. If the stain remains, resort to a specialty cleaner such as CLR or Bar Keeper’s Friend. Be sure to wear gloves while using these products.