Stains are more visible on plastic sinks because most plastic or utility sinks are available in cream or white color. Here’s how to clean plastic sink.
Utility sinks are primarily used to wash vegetables, dishes, industrial materials and paints. As a result, eradicating the tough stains from the white sink can be cumbersome without a suitable cleanser.
If not appropriately cleansed, tough stains could cause scratches that will affect the overall appearance of your plastic sinks.
One way to clean a plastic sink is to use a mixture of baking soda and water. Sprinkle the baking soda on the sink, then pour water over it. Let the mixture sit for about five minutes, then scrub with a toothbrush. Rinse with cold water, then dry with a towel.
Another way to clean a plastic sink is to use dish soap and water. Fill the sink with warm water and add dish soap until it reaches the top of the sink. Let it sit for about 15 minutes before scrubbing with an abrasive sponge or scrub brush in circular motions. Rinse thoroughly, then dry with a towel.
3 Methods of Cleaning a Plastic Sink
Using Vinegar and Baking Soda
Things you’ll need:
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Warm water
- Sponge
- Liquid detergent
Step 1: Spray Baking Soda on the Sink
The components in this ingredient weaken the stain grip on the plastic sink, making sticky dirt easy to remove from the white sink.
You need to first insert the stopper and dry the sink before applying the soda.
Now sprinkle it on the surface and ensure the soda extends to every corner. Consider spraying on each side and bottom for desirable results.
Step 2: Add the Vinegar
With natural components, vinegar improves the appearance of your plastic sink.
Now add the ingredient and wash the plastic sink with a wet sponge.
Wiping both sides with baking soda will create a bubbling foam for the plastic sink cleaning.
When the foaming starts taking shape, leave it for 30 to 60 minutes before rinsing.
Step 3: Drain and Rinse
After applying the mix and waiting for the duration, it’s time to rinse your sink. Remove the stopper to allow draining before introducing the warm water.
Now wash away residues with warm water while scrubbing the surface. Scrub with a sponge and liquid detergent before another rinsing round.
Using Chemical Scrubs
Things you’ll need:
- Warm water
- Cleanser with properties such as calcium carbonate and oxalic acid
- Soft sponge
Step 1: Read Label Instructions before Applying the Product
Consider applying a more powerful cleanser if the baking soda and vinegar methods do not produce desirable results.
Use chemical scrubs with calcium carbonate and oxalic acid properties for effective plastic kitchen sink cleaning.
However, it is necessary to take preventive measures while cleaning a plastic sink. Start by reading the instructions before using the cleanser to avoid unexpected accidents.
Ensure you have dry skin before spraying the powdered compound on your sink’s surface. Furthermore, if you prefer a liquid spray-on cleanser, sprinkle the sink thoroughly and leave for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Continuous Scrubbing
After leaving the cleanser on the surface for a duration, it’s time to introduce the soft sponge.
Scrub your sink’s surface with the soft sponge in a circular motion to remove the chemical stains with ease. Continue scrubbing until you have an ultraclean plastic surface before rinsing.
Step 3: Rinse and Dry
If you want desirable results, consider cleaning stains out of a plastic sink with warm water. After rinsing, dry your sink for an ultraclean and shiny surface.
Step 4: Seal the Surface
Now that your plastic sink is spotless, you can seal the surface to avoid additional stains.
Seal your sink’s surface with an acrylic cleaner and apply with a soft cloth. If the surface remains unclean after rinsing, repeat the process.
Using Denture Tablets
Things you’ll need:
- Liquid detergent
- Warm water
- Denture tablets
- Soft Sponge
Step 1: Drop in the Tablets
These tablets are plastic sink cleaning materials that release stains from plastic sink surfaces. It makes stain removal easy with a swipe.
But before dropping the tablet in your sink, fill it with warm water after inserting the stopper. Now drop 5 to 10 tablets into the sink, and foaming would start in a short period.
When the foaming starts, let it sit for 1 to 2 hours. Consider allowing it to sit overnight for optimal performance.
Step 2: Drain the Sink
Check on your plastic sink regularly during the hours of rest. After a few hours, the foaming should reduce, and you can remove the stopper for draining before scrubbing.
Step 3: Scrub with a Sponge
After removing the stopper, use a soft sponge to scrub the surface for the dirt removal. Scrub leftover residues hanging at the bottom of your sink before it dries and remove dirt from each side.
If the result is not preferable, consider introducing liquid detergents to eradicate hard stains. Sprinkle the detergent on the surface and scrub with a wet sponge to wipe away the residue.
Finally, rinse with warm water and dry with a clean cloth for a shiny and attractive appearance.
How to Clean a Black Plastic Sink
Step 1: Washing the sink with tap water
Stains can be quite stubborn at times, and simple dishwasher liquid may not help in removing them. Therefore, you need a different solution to remove stubborn stains from a black sink.
So, to do it, first of all, wash the sink with tap water. Once you have washed the sink with water, you can now get rid of the moisture by using a cloth.
Step 2: Filling the black sink with hot water
Half-fill the sink with hot water and then add 1 cup of chlorine bleach. Allow the chlorinated water to sit in the sink for at least one hour.
Chlorine works like magic because it can kill germs that are visible or hidden. Finally, any stubborn stains or sticky residue will be removed.
Step 3: Draining the water & clean the sink
After one hour, drain the water. And rinse the sink thoroughly to wash away any lingering spots of bleach or other stains that are left there. Clean it by using the cloth properly.
Step 4: Wiping it off with the cloth
Using a soft cloth, wipe the surface to dry it. Also, bleach should only be used in well-ventilated areas and should never be mixed with other cleaning chemicals because it can produce toxic gas.
Instead of chlorine bleach, you can also use white vinegar. The acetic acid in the vinegar, in fact, cleans and disinfects the sink without damaging the surface. You can use the same steps to clean the sink using vinegar and enjoy long-lasting results.
Why is it Important to Maintain Plastic Utility Sinks Regularly
Regular maintenance improves your plastic utility sink’s overall health. However, below are a few reasons why you should maintain your plastic sink regularly:
1. Prevents Built-Up Stains
If you want to prevent built-up stains on your plastic utility sink, consider daily maintenance for best results.
A white plastic sink can attract stains from dishes, pots, or industrial materials, causing built-up stains.
Daily maintenance with liquid detergent, dry towel, and water will keep the sink shiny and spotless.
2. Simplifies Food Preparation
Consistent cleaning of plastic kitchen sinks streamlines your food preparation process.
Regular maintenance ensures a clean surface for cooking. Having dishes, grime, and garbage in the sink minimizes the space and contributes to scratches and breakdowns.
Heavy materials in the sink make it vulnerable to scratches.
3. Ensures Longevity
Regular cleaning with warm water, soft sponge, and liquid detergents ensure longevity for plastic sinks. If you scrub and dry gently with suitable cleaning agents, your plastic sink can last for many years.
How to Remove Hard Water Stains from Plastic Sinks
The deposits of magnesium and calcium are major causes of hard water stains in plastic sinks. This problem is due to water flowing through limestone.
Hard water stains create a visible cloudy film on the sink, and below are steps to eradicate it:
Step 1: Soak with Water and Vinegar Overnight
Vinegar and water create a natural fizzing reaction that softens tough stains. Spray the mix on the hard water stain and leave it overnight.
However, if you prefer an acidic cleanser, protect your hands with a pair of gloves before sprinkling on the surface.
Step 2: Scrub
A toilet bowl brush is ideal for this task after sprinkling the mix. Continue scrubbing until you get desirable results.
Step 3: Use an Additional Cleanser
Hard water stains can be stubborn and difficult to remove. If the stains are proving difficult to remove after scrubbing, consider applying an additional cleanser.
Create a vinegar and water mix in a bowl and introduce baking soda. Spray the mix on the surface and scrub again until it becomes ultra clean.
Step 4: Rinse and Dry
After removing the stains, rinse the surface and sponge before drying with a soft cloth. Ensure the area is dry to prevent the spots from reappearing.
Final Thoughts
The plastic sinks should retain their shiny and spotless appearance for many years with periodic and regular maintenance.
A dirty plastic sink makes your laundry room or kitchen unattractive and exposes your home to bacteria and germs. Moreover, a dirty plastic kitchen sink causes unpleasant odors.
Daily cleaning and periodic maintenance are required to keep the plastic sink looking new for years to come. In this article, I’ve discussed thoroughly how to get rid of plastic sink stains and rejuvenate. So follow the discussed methods to clean your plastic sinks.
