How to Clean a Black Composite Sink: 5 Steps
- Pete Ortiz
- Last updated:
For those with standard sinks made of stainless steel or other durable materials, not much care needs to be taken when cleaning. But certain types of sinks, such as black composite, require careful consideration to avoid accidentally damaging the sink while attempting to clean it. Some cleaning products that are perfectly suitable for cleaning a cast-iron, enamel, or stainless-steel sink can ruin the appearance of your black composite sink.
But that doesn’t mean that it has to be difficult to keep it clean and looking like it did when it was new. If you follow the five steps we lay out in this article, you’ll find it to be easy and effortless. We’ll also discuss what you should avoid when cleaning to ensure you don’t accidentally damage your sink.
What to Avoid When Cleaning a Black Composite Sink
Black composite sinks are pretty easy to damage if you use the wrong cleaning products, which we’ll discuss now so that you don’t accidentally use the wrong scrubber or cleaner and cause permanent damage to your sink.
Harsh Cleaners
The first thing that you want to avoid is using harsh cleaners on your sink. Many people attempt to use the same cleaners they use on other items on their black composite sinks, but that could be a damaging mistake to make. The cleaners contain chemicals that can be far too acidic or alkaline for your sink, leaving behind blemishes and discolored patches. Moreover, they can remove the shiny finish of your sink, leaving it unprotected and looking dull.
Limescale Removers
Black composite sinks show hard water spots and limescale deposits worse than most other types of sinks. This often leads people to use limescale removers to eliminate the mineral deposits. The only problem is that these products are far too abrasive and can damage the sink’s finish. Furthermore, they tend to be very high or low on the pH scale, which can also damage the finish and leave large marks of discoloration.
Abrasive Scrubbers
While you can get away with using Brillo pads and steel wool for cleaning many types of sinks, a black composite sink isn’t on that list. You’ll need to use much gentler products when cleaning it. Rough and abrasive scrubbers can easily damage the sink and leave behind tiny scratches. Instead, use a soft rag or cloth like microfiber that won’t damage the sink or leave scratches behind.
5 Steps to a Clean Black Composite Sink
Now that we’ve covered what not to do, it’s time to discuss the steps you must take to safely clean a black composite sink without damaging it.
Step 1: Keep Your Sink Dry
Leaving water in your sink is a surefire way to prevent it from looking clean. Pools of water can start to discolor your sink, not to mention the hard water spots and limescale they’re likely to leave behind. Additionally, they can wear off the finish of your sink, leaving dull spots all over.
Luckily, this is easy to avoid by simply keeping your sink dry. After using your sink, be sure to dry it out, and don’t allow water to sit in it for long periods. When you clean the sink, you’ll want to be certain that it’s dried completely. Don’t use any abrasive rags to dry your sink. Instead, use a microfiber cloth that won’t scratch your sink.
Step 2: Clean Your Sink Daily
Cleaning your sink daily is the easiest way to stay on top of the mess. Especially with black sinks, mineral deposits can form very quickly, causing discoloration. Against the dark color of the sink, white spots stick out like a sore thumb and can make the entire room seem dirty. Being proactive and spending a few minutes each day gently cleaning the sink can prevent this and ensure that your sink always looks clean.
For daily cleaning, the best option is to use a 50/50 mix of distilled white vinegar and water. You can fill a spray bottle with this solution and use it to spray the sink down each day. Gently scrub the sink with a soft cloth after applying the vinegar solution. Then, rinse it with water and be certain to dry it.
Step 3: Dish Soap for Soap Buildup
If you end up with stains in your sink or a buildup of soap stains, there’s an easy way to eliminate them without bringing in any harsh chemicals. You can use regular old dish soap, but make sure it doesn’t have any added bleach. Simply add a bit of dish soap to your rag and use it to wipe down and scrub any problem areas.
Step 4: Removing Limescale and Hard Water Spots
Dark sinks like black composite will show limescale and hard water spots more visibly than stainless steel or porcelain models. This can be very frustrating, especially since you can’t use standard limescale removers that might damage your sink.
So, what are you to do? Baking soda is your secret weapon against limescale and hard water deposits. Sprinkle a little baking soda on any problem spots and let it sit for 30 seconds before scrubbing it with a soft rag. The baking soda will create enough friction to help lift the mineral deposits without scratching your sink. When you’re finished, rinse it with water and dry your sink completely.
Step 5: Shine Your Sink
Over time, you might notice that your black composite sink is losing its shine and not looking quite as bright as it once did. This is normal but can easily be remedied. All you have to do is add a little oil and buff it in.
You can use several types of oil, but mineral oil is one of your best bets. Just take a tablespoon of mineral oil and buff it into the finish of your sink with a soft rag. You’ll probably want to repeat this process every 4-6 weeks to keep your sink looking fresh like it did when you installed it.
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Conclusion
Black composite sinks require a little bit of extra care when cleaning them. Their finish is easy to remove accidentally, and it doesn’t take much to leave scratches, haze, and discoloration that can ruin the appearance of your sink. Following the steps we’ve laid out in this article will help you to clean your sink, bring it back to a like-new appearance, and even prevent the buildup of future messes, keeping your sink looking great every day.
Featured Image Credit: kaboompics, Pixabay
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