How to Care for Your New Ceramic Bathroom Sink

Though most home remodeling experts and vendors recommend ceramic as the material of choice for most bathroom accessories because of how durable the material is and little maintenance it requires, ceramic vessels sinks do require certain maintenance steps so that they keep their finish and last for years to come.

One common household problem in the bathroom is hard water buildup and spotting on surfaces such as the shower tiles, the shower curtain, in the toilet and especially in the sink. Sinks made with ceramic tend to hold on to minerals much less than any other materials and so daily care can be achieved by a simple use of a dry cloth to wipe dry your ceramic sink after each use. For a more thorough cleaning, experts recommend that you spend some time at least once a week cleaning your ceramic sink to avoid long lasting buildup that may be hard to remove, a common mistake that force homeowners to follow the wrong cleaning steps causing damage to the surface of their ceramic vessel sinks.

For example, at least once a week prepare a solution of warm water and a light soap and water solution (you can use your regular dish-washing detergent). Use a clean, preferably new rag, and dip part of it into the solution and scrub the inside of your ceramic sink basin with a circular motion, until soap and water solution starts to foam. If you find rough spots on the surface of your ceramic sink, it means that there are some mineral deposits forming and you may need to bump up the level of the strength of your cleaning solution to get rid of these.

Continue cleaning the rest of your sink, including your water faucet, rinse thoroughly with cold water and wipe dry with the other side of your clean rag. Repeat this step if necessary. To get rid of those mineral buildup rough spots, fill your sink with lukewarm water and create a white vinegar and water solution and let it sit for 10 minutes. With a clean, preferably a new sponge, start scrubbing those rough areas of your sink. Do not use the scrubbing pad of your sponge if it has one. Empty the sink and use the soap and water solution you made earlier and wash your sink again.

If the rough spots persist, it is recommended yet another stronger lemon and water solution, but this time you will use it only on the areas where you are having problems. Prepare the lemon and water solution on a small cup or bowl and using a clean paper towel or a cotton swab, dab those areas with the solution and let it sit for 10 minutes. Once you have completed this step, rinse and clean your ceramic vessel with the soap and water solution and wipe dry. For a stronger solution, experts recommend a baking soda and white vinegar paste that you can create at home. This solution works but you have to scrub the problem areas of your ceramic sink lightly to avoid scratching or dulling its surface. Some have even recommended using salt in case you don’t have baking soda.

Always clean your ceramic vessel with a light soap and water solution after each thorough clean-up to avoid any harsh acids sit on the surface and corrode it over time. And, while you are at it, remove the plug from your sink and also clean your drain as much as possible to avoid build up as well.

You Should Avoid…

• Do not use scrubbing pads
• Do not use metal sponges
• Avoid using harsh chemicals such as chlorine or ammonia
• Do not let soap and water sit in your ceramic sink for too long
• Do not place sharp objects or metallic objects in your sink