How to Clean a Stained White Enamel Kitchen Sink

The best way to clean a white enamel sink so that it looks like new. No worries if you’re kitchen sink is discolored and marked with rust stains and scratches, this method works on the most neglected sinks!

I want to start out by saying that I always try and find a natural and chemical free way to clean everything in my home. And this sink was no exception. I followed several tutorials I found on Pinterest and was left with a dingy , stained sink.

Because we don’t have a dishwasher and we go through A LOT of dishes in a day, this sink isn’t just a pretty face! We soak dishes in her, the water gets dirty and she sadly, gets very stained between cleanings! Not to mention I found her used on Facebook Marketplace.

So, all that to say, I need an effective way to clean our white sink, even if that involves scrubbing it down with chemicals. I know, its not my favorite thing to admit.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure here.

what you need to clean a stained enamel sink

• Blue Dawn Dish Soap – I like to get this kind of dawn dish soap since it seems to do the best job washing dishes and cleaning the sink. I also use it in my homemade laundry stain remover.
• Bar Keeper’s Friend – Bar Keepers Friend is really great at getting tough stains out without scratching the surface you’re using it on. This article lists other surprising uses for this powerful product!
• Bleach – Just plain old bleach will work. Bleach really takes the sink back to original shiny white again. Wipe a small amount of bleach on your sink after rinsing away the bar keepers friend and dish soap and prepare to be amazed!
• White Vinegar – Distilled white vinegar is one of my favorite all-purpose cleaners! Its literally good for almost everything. Vinegar helps clean and polish without leaving streaks.
• A Scrubby – the kind you scrub dishes with will do just fine.

If you have an electric stove top, you have to check out how I get mine cleaned in minutes!

How to Clean a White Enamel Sink

Scrub It Down – Sprinkle a few Tablespoons of Bar Keeper’s Friend powder in each side of the sink. Add enough blue Dawn dish soap to make a paste.

Scrub this mixture in a circular motion all over the sink, focusing your attention on noticeable scuff marks and stubborn stains. Rinse.

Whiten And Polish – Rub the whole sink down with a small amount of bleach and quickly rinse.

Clean The Faucet – Wipe down the faucet and kitchen sink drain all over with a wet rag and white vinegar.

Dry The Sink – Lastly, dry the faucet and edges of the sink with a dry towel.

Tips

Careful With The Bleach – I went overboard with it one time and ended up with a sore throat from inhaling it! Just rub a bit over the whole sink and rinse it off right away.

Keep The Room Ventilated – It’s a good idea to do it when you can have the windows open, or at least, after the kids are in bed. That bleach smell is pretty nasty!

Wear gloves – These products are not good to get on your skin.

Maintaining A Brand New Sink – If your sink is brand new and you are just looking for a general maintenance cleaning, following the steps below might be all you need to keep it looking good as new.

FAQ about cleaning a white kitchen sink

Are White Sinks Hard To Keep Clean?

White sinks are classic and add a lot of character to your home. BUT, they do require more maintenance to keep them looking pretty.

It only takes a couple of common household products and a little time now and then to get a white kitchen sink looking like new. Bar Keeper’s Friend, white vinegar and Dawn dish soap, followed by a bit of bleach will get the job done.

How Often Should You Deep Clean Your White Enamel Sink?

Honestly, as often as you want to! I have it in my whole home cleaning routine once every 6 weeks. Does it get dirty looking between times? Of course! But that’s because it gets a lot of use. But my motto when it comes to cleaning our house is, its ok if it gets dirty, as long as we have a plan to clean everything in a certain amount of time.

I still go over it quickly with soap, vinegar and water each night before bed, but I tackle that really deep clean every 6 weeks. (read more about my cleaning routine)

How should I keep my White Kitchen Sink Everyday?

1. Start by rinsing the sink down completely, removing anything that is stuck in the drain.
2. Squirt a little Dawn dish soap on a sponge or scrubby.
3. Scrub the sides and bottom of the sink, and in and around the drains.
4. Rinse the soap off.
5. Using a wet rag, rub the sink and faucet all over with white vinegar.
6. Lastly, go over the faucet and edges of the sink with a dry towel.

how to clean a kitchen sink naturally

Typically I try to avoid using harsh chemicals when cleaning my house, with the sink has been the one exception because of how much abuse I give it.

If you’re looking for a more safe and natural method for cleaning your sink, these are a few products I’ve seen used with good success:

• Baking Soda – Either scrubbed in to the sink by itself, or combined with vinegar to make a paste.
• Lemon Juice – For a stained sink, lay paper towels in the bottom of the sink, and add enough lemon juice to soak them. Let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse.
• Hydrogen Peroxide – Used in place of the bleach for brightening and removing stains.
• Bon Ami – A great, non-toxic alternative to Bar Keeper’s Friend. Although, not quite as effective in my trials.
• Soft Scrub – I’ve used this homemade toilet bowl cleaner as a soft scrub on my kitchen sink and bathtub for daily maintenance and it does a great job!

More helpful Cleaning tips on The Blog