If you want longevity in your kitchen and want to clean and properly maintain your granite sink, you've come to the right place. As a rule, such sinks are made of pressed granite stone dust and acrylic resins. However, in no time, a composite sink can look dull and streaky. This is why it is important to know how to clean your granite sink at home. Do not use full-strength bleach or cleaners containing ammonia on your granite sink. Avoid chemical drain openers and stick to “soft” cleaning tools. Harsh chemicals, steel wool and abrasive sponges and brushes can cause permanent damage.
Here's how to clean your granite sink
A granite and composite kitchen sink is a fantastic addition to any cooking area. However, regular cleaning is essential so that it can remain in perfect condition. The fine granite sand mixes with a binder, resulting in a material with some additional properties. This composition is therefore more durable, easier to maintain and cheaper than natural stone. So, granite sinks are becoming increasingly popular due to their appearance, price and durability.
Granite sinks are also heat resistant, withstand the normal wear and tear experienced by other sinks such as stainless steel, and are available in a variety of color options. Despite all these great things, you still need to clean your granite sink regularly to enjoy these features for as long as possible. Such kitchen sinks can be exposed to hard water stains or harsh cleaning chemicals. This causes the granite to appear cloudy. So, in this article you will find simple care tips that will help you keep your sink clean and looking new for years to come.
Why should you choose a granite sink?
However, before we continue with the guide, it would be useful to know some facts worth knowing about theGranite sink disadvantages and their advantagesto find out. When it comes to chemical resistance, while granite sinks can withstand the force of falling pots and pans, they are easily damaged by harsh chemicals. That's why it's important to be careful when cleaning the sink. While stainless steel sinks can withstand a fair amount of eye-watering chemicals, granite composites require a little more care and attention.
If we talk about heat resistance, some granite sinks are also easy to damage. However, purchasing a high-quality sink that is designed to withstand heat is the best way to avoid this. Additionally, try to avoid placing extremely hot pots and pans on the surface as well. If you have any doubts about the heat resistance of your sink, you can contact the manufacturer.
While the sink won't break if you drop glass or china on it, it's likely your dishes could. Granite sinks made of composite materials are also known to be no exception. Therefore, do not drop delicate objects on it, although we know that this is easier said than done. Dropping a plate or glass onto a stainless steel sink is unlikely to cause excessive destruction, but it may damage the kitchen sink instead of the plate. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and confidence in your hand-eye coordination. Just try not to drop too monstrous pots.
Maintenance and care of granite sinks
First and foremost, it is important to be consistent. Regular cleaning with hot (not boiling) soapy water and a soft cloth is a far more effective method than letting dirt build up and performing an infrequent deep clean. Therefore, keep dirt and stains in the bud away from cleaning. Different sinks are built to withstand different conditions accordingly. It's best to find out beforehand how you can clean and care for your granite sink. Some of these may be heat resistant, others less so. When in doubt, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Rinse surface after each use and dry well. This will save you time in the long run and allow your composite to sink for longer. Rinsing and drying your pool after each use will prevent unsightly water, limescale and other stains over time. Although composite sinks are built to withstand dropped pans and dishes, they aren't great when it comes to surviving chemicals. Harsh cleaning products can damage the color and leave the sink looking much worse than before. Chemicals to avoid include ammonia, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloride and sulfuric acid. Stick with something specifically designed for such a sink.
Do not use abrasive materials. Unfortunately, abrasive cleaners and brushes like this are not suitable for cleaning your granite kitchen sink. Steel wool and sanding brushes leave scratch marks. Instead, clean your sink with soft sponges to protect the exterior. Also, do not leave wet sponges on the surface. We do this often, but it's important not to leave wet items on your sink. If left on for too long, they leave water stains or limescale deposits. Ultimately, this means more work for you in the long run.
Removing limescale and water stains
In hard water areas, limescale deposits are a big problem. That's why it's important to dry the sink after each use. If you prefer a clean sink, consider using a combination of fairy liquid, a soft sponge, and some serious force. A 50% mixture of water and white vinegar is another good option, although it is important not to let the vinegar come into contact with the surface of the sink for an extended period of time. However, if you have strong biceps and don't feel like experimenting, store-bought cleaning products are also a suitable alternative. Inexpensive and specially developed for granite sinks, the weekly use of such products removes and prevents limescale deposits as well as grease, food and bacteria. In addition, there is no need to call manufacturers as the granite sink cleaners are usually compatible with all sinks.
Removing stubborn stains
No matter how careful we are, there is still the possibility of deep stains that are a little more difficult to remove. You can whip up a homemade concoction using household products – baking soda or white vinegar mixed with water will work well. Wipe with a soft sponge and use soft-bristled brushes to tackle the more difficult parts. Remember to rinse and dry after cleaning.
However, if you are unsure and are worried about damaging your sink with harsh products, consider buying something ready-made. Some clever cleaners not only remove limescale and general everyday dirt, but also deeper and stubborn stains. Whatever you use to combat these, it's important to rinse the sink thoroughly with hot water before and after cleaning. Also make sure that it is dried thoroughly after use and will soon be like new without having to use a lot of force.
Although they require more maintenance than other kitchen sinks, granite sinks are suitable for any kitchen due to their long lifespan, high durability and a wide range of colors. While they will certainly withstand many of the rigors of modern life, they will look dull and discolored if left uncared for. Getting into the habit of treating your sink with care will ensure that it lasts a long time and requires much less time and attention in the long run.
Clean granite sink in 4 steps
The cleaning supplies for this are very easy to make or purchase and there is a good chance that you already have these items in your home. You will need: baking soda, vinegar and mineral oil. The baking soda and vinegar will work together to safely clean the granite, while the mineral oil will follow suit and help renew the shine of your sink. Granite can be very susceptible to harsh chemicals, which will damage the finish and weaken it over time.
However, this mix of household cleaners is safe. We recommend that the vinegar and baking soda solution not sit on the sink for too long as the acidity of the vinegar may be too high. If you have some specific problem areas, apply the mixture directly to those areas and scrub. If you need an all-around clean sink, cover the entire sink evenly. However, do not leave them for a long time.
Step 1: Drain, clean and rinse
Before you do anything like this, you should completely empty the sink and free it of dirt and food residue. Afterwards, it is best to rinse it with hot water and also scrub the entire surface with dishwashing liquid. Finally, after cleaning, dry the sink with a paper towel or rag.
Step 2: Apply baking soda
Sprinkle baking soda on discolored or stained areas, or on any areas if you need a thorough cleaning. This stuff is mildly abrasive but natural and safe, making it suitable for use on a granite sink.
Step 3: Clean granite sink with vinegar
To do this, first pour a small amount of white vinegar over the baking soda and allow the two to mix and bubble. If you want to use less vinegar, you can also fill a mixing bottle halfway with water and the other half with vinegar and spray it on. Use a sponge or soft-bristled brush and scrub the mixture into any problem areas. These can be the corners where the water dries up and leaves hard spots, or near the drain. When you've scrubbed enough, rinse everything off with warm water. Then dry it again with a paper towel or soft washcloth.
Step 4: Polish with mineral oil
Once the sink is cleaned and dried again, you are ready for the final step. Even if it is clean, the granite can look dull. The mineral oil brings back some shine. Pour a tablespoon of mineral oil onto a soft cloth and buff the surface into the sink using circular motions. You may need to add more oil over time. However, make sure the cloth holds the oil evenly so it doesn't get too thick.
So it's that easy to clean your granite sink. Following this schedule about once a week can keep your cooking area looking like new. As long as you clean the sink with warm water and soap every few days, you won't need to do this cleaning as frequently. It is also beneficial to dry the sink after each use as the water that sits in the sink can cause cloudiness to form. Composite granite sinks require a little more work than some other sinks, but they look stunning, especially when freshly cleaned and shiny.
