Do you want to know how to clean a porcelain sink? Keeping your porcelain sink clean will make your bathroom or kitchen shine like new. Porcelain is a special type of material. If you do not properly maintain your porcelain sink, you will find that it is prone to discoloring and depreciation when used frequently.
How To Clean Porcelain Sinks
Are you looking for ways to get your porcelain sparkling? If so, there are a few methods you can use to achieve great results.
Kitchen Porcelain Sinks
If you have a porcelain sink in your kitchen, you will notice that food particles can cause spots on your sink. Never leave any type of food in your sink. After washing your dishes, be sure to clean your sink right away to avoid staining and discoloration. Additionally, you should not leave any silverware in your sink since it can result in lacerations in your porcelain. To prevent this from occurring, you can use a rubber mat for protection.
Bathroom Porcelain Sinks
If you have a porcelain sink in your bathrooms, you should maintain it to prevent it from becoming faded. Hard water will only speed up this process due to the calcium and other minerals in the water. Porcelain sinks in the bathroom are also prone to rust, depending on your water type. Be careful with using hair color products near your sink, since they can cause the porcelain to peel.
How To Clean Stains in Porcelain Sinks
If you do end up staining your porcelain sink, there are various ways you can eliminate them. You need to be careful with the products you use so you don’t cause more damage or make the stains worse. Only stick with gentle solutions and never use bleach. You should also use a soft towel and nothing that will leave any marks behind.
It is best to begin with using soap and warm water to eliminate any soap, toothpaste, or any other type of particle from your porcelain sink. Instead of scrubbing your sink, you can use bleach or peroxide just to eliminate stains. If you want to avoid using bleach altogether, you can opt-in for diluted vinegar. Be sure that you rinse the sink completely after washing away the stains to avoid leaving any remnants behind.
If you are dealing with extreme stains, be sure to purchase a mild abrasive cleaner but only use a very tiny amount. Another tip worth noting is that naval jelly is good for eliminating rust stains. Remember, you only need to use a very small amount of product.
Final Word
Cleaning a porcelain sink doesn’t have to be complicated. Using the right solutions and equipment will make your porcelain sink look as good as new. Also, maintaining your porcelain sink is key to avoiding scratches, marks, and stains. But, mishaps do happen and there are safe ways you can clean your sink and have it spotless again.
Grab bars in the bathroom are a great way to increase the safety of this room in your house. Many accidents take place in the bathroom. If you have elderly or disabled people living in the home, it is especially important that you provide this safety feature. If you have been considering installing bathtub or shower grab bars, this quick guide will help you learn what you need to know to get started on this project.
Why Should I Install Grab Bars?
Grab bars are often used in hospitals and care facilities to help individuals navigate slippery bathroom environments. If you deal with mobility issues, or if someone in your home deals with mobility issues, a grab bar can often prevent dangerous slips and falls from happening.
What You Will Need
To complete the installation of bathroom grab bars, you will need to purchase a grab bar kit from your local home improvement store. You may be able to find kits online as well. It is important that you read all the included instructions for the kit before you get started. Other items you need include:
Hammer
Level
Drill
Stud sensor (optional but helpful)
Locate Studs
To ensure that your grab bars are rock solid, you will want to be sure they are anchored to the studs. These are the solid pieces of wood located behind drywall at certain intervals. If you have a stud sensor, you can use this device to locate the studs. Remember, if the grab bar is not properly installed into a stud, it could fall out of the drywall causing injuries. Mark the studs as well as the mounting holes.
Installation
You will drill a 1/8-inch hole at one of the marks. You should feel that you have hit the stud. Next, caulk the mounting flange using tub and tile adhesive or silicone caulk.
You can then use a 5/32-inch wood bit to drill pilot holes into the stud. Insert a plastic anchor in the holes you just drilled. You are now ready to screw in the shower bar to the wall using No. 10 or 12 stainless steel pan head screws. Again, check that screws are penetrating the stud.
When To Call Professionals
If you do not feel confident about completing this project on your own, you should definitely reach out for help. An improperly installed grab bar in the shower or tub will actually increase the chance of injuries rather than decrease it.
Positioning safety for grab bars is essential. A professional can come out and install a grab bar for you safely and efficiently in no time.
Cleaning every room of one’s house takes special products, a significant amount of time, and the patience that is necessary to get it all done correctly. At A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass, we frequently hear questions from our customers about which nonabrasive supplies they should use or how they can get rid of soap scum and bacteria. One of the most common questions that we get is whether there are any special sponges that they should use to clean out a porcelain bathtub.
Porcelain Bathtubs Require Gentle Cleaning
It is absolutely the case that porcelain bathtubs provide a sleek design and look to one’s bathroom, but it is also true that they require a very gentle cleaning process to retain their beauty and value.
Bathtubs capture dirt within them, and this dirt needs to be removed to keep it clean. A great way to do so is to take a combination of warm water, ammonia, and baking soda in a bucket with a gentle washrag or sponge, and wipe down the entire tub with that combination of materials.
You should scrub the tub in full to make sure you eliminate all the dirt and grime that may cause you some issues, and then you can rinse it all out completely so that you know for sure that your tub has been completely cleaned out just the way that you would expect it to be. This is a process, but it is one that you need to go through if you are going to get serious about cleaning your porcelain tub.
Do They Make Special Sponges for Porcelain Tubs?
Yes, you can get special sponges to use on your porcelain tub if you wish to do so. These sponges are gentler on the tub than some of the mass market sponges you can find in any random store. That being said, you should be pretty safe to use virtually any kind of sponge as long as you are careful about how hard you scrub on your porcelain tub.
It is often the case that you will need to take a considerable amount of time to clean your tub and don’t risk damaging the porcelain at the same time. You can accomplish both of these goals if you are just extremely careful about how you scrub down the tub. Don’t take unnecessary risks with it, and you should be just fine. If you use a great sponge specifically designed for a porcelain tub, then you should be set up to handle the mission of getting your tub cleaned out just the way you need it to be. Make sure you look for the kind of sponge that can keep your tub clean without risking the chance of tearing anything up.
You can keep your tub safe, but only when you take the steps necessary to get it done.
Porcelain enamel gives your bathroom fixtures an elegant look. It also helps improve the design and function of a bath or shower with a clean shine on the bacteria-resistant, non-porous clean finish. However, whether you’ve just installed a new porcelain bathtub or sink or want to clean an old one, regular cleaning helps keep it in good condition.
This article will cover everything you need to know about caring for your porcelain bathtub or sink.
Materials to Avoid When Cleaning a Porcelain Bathtub or Sink
Cast-iron is traditionally covered with a porcelain enamel that’s fused to the cast iron in the furnace. While it’s solid and durable, porcelain enamel requires gentle care.
That means abrasive cleaners and materials can ding or chip the surface, degrading the surface and worsening the cleaning process. To avoid increased damage, here are a few materials you should not use:
White vinegar
Steel wool or a heavy-duty scouring pad
Scouring powder
How to Clean Your Porcelain Enamel Tub or Sink: Weekly
Like everything else in your bathroom, your charming bathroom fixtures need weekly cleaning. Here are a few steps to take:
Mix a gallon of hot water with two tablespoons of dishwashing soap. Feel free to use any grease-cutting soap you have.
Dip a soft cloth or sponge, and rub the tub or sink to remove dirt and grease.
Rinse well and let your tub or sink dry
How to Deep Clean Your Porcelain Enamel Tub or Sink
The regular weekly cleaning is not enough to keep your tub and sink looking fresh, shiny, and ready-to-use every time.
Once a month, you may want to do some deep cleaning using ammonia and baking soda. Here are the steps to take:
Mix warm water with ¼ cup of baking soda and ¼ cup of ammonia in a bucket. The ammonia helps remove smells, grease, scum, and any soap that has built up over time.
Dip your sponge or soft cloth in the mixture and scrub the surface of your tub and sink. Pay attention to stained areas. Repeat the process until you’re satisfied with the results.
Rinse the surface well.
Dry the entire surface with a clean rag to prevent baking soda stains from leaving white films behind.
How to Restore Shine and Sparkle in Your Porcelain Tub or Sink
With time, your tub or sink may appear dull, cracked, or chipped if not well-maintained.
Once in a while, use lemon oil and rub around the tub to help repel the soap and scum and keep your sink or tub smelling and looking clean. Avoid rubbing too much oil, especially at the bottom of the tub, to prevent slipping.
Need to Repair Your Tub, Sink, Vanity, or Tiles in Arizona?
At A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. we can help bring or restore that bathroom shine and sparkle you have always wanted at an affordable price. All our technicians are trained and experienced to handle every aspect of your project and respond to every question you might have. Feel free to call us on (602) 531-4453 today!
The ceramic family of tiles is one of the most durable materials for your home. There is no doubt that porcelain and ceramic tile surfaces make maintenance easy. Withstanding heavy foot traffic, ceramic and porcelain tile surfaces make a great choice for many homeowners. When it comes to cleaning porcelain and ceramic tile, there are a few options available.
Mild Soap Solution
First, you can use a mild soap and water solution. This is the safest method to clean your tile and will not damage the surface. However, this method may not be strong enough to remove tough stains or dirt build-up. When using mild soap and water, rinse the tile well afterward to avoid soap build-up. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners on your tile, as these can damage the surface.
You can use a stronger cleaner such as vinegar or bleach for tougher dirt and stains. Test these cleaners in an inconspicuous area first to ensure they will not damage your tile. When using vinegar or bleach, always dilute with water and rinse the tile well afterward.
Alkaline Cleaners
For stubborn grease removal, you may need an alkaline cleaner. Alkaline cleaners are available commercially, or you can make your own by mixing one part laundry detergent with ten parts water. Apply the solution to the tile with a sponge and scrub the area well. Rinse the tile afterward with clean water. With a pH of 12, this type of cleaner should only be used as a last resort, as it can damage your tile if not used correctly.
Neutral Cleaners
If you need a cleaner between an alkaline and acidic cleaner, you can use a neutral cleaner. These cleaners are safe to use on most surfaces, including porcelain and ceramic tile. You can purchase neutral cleaners commercially or make your own by mixing one part dish soap with ten parts water. Use a sponge and scrub when applying the solution. Rinse the tile afterward with clean water.
How to Clean
Sweep
Sweeping your floor regularly is the best way to prevent dirt and debris from building up and becoming difficult to remove. Use a soft-bristled broom or vacuum with a soft brush attachment to sweep your floor. Ensure that you are getting into all the nooks and crannies to prevent dirt from accumulating.
Mop
When it comes time to mop your floor, use a damp mop and avoid using too much water. Water can seep into the grout lines and cause damage. Instead, focus on using a damp mop to pick up any dirt or debris that has been left behind.
Conclusion
A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service Co., L.L.C. is the go-to company for all your porcelain and ceramic tile cleaning needs. We provide various services to meet your every need, from sweeping and mopping to deep-cleaning tough stains and dirt build-up. Our team of experts will work diligently to get your tile looking new again. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
