First, wet down the sink and sprinkle baking soda onto a moist sponge. Then scrub the sink with baking soda. Next, pour home hydrogen peroxide on the sponge and rub all over the sink. Wait about 15-20 minutes, and then rinse the whole sink.
That's because household water (especially water from a private well) contains the chemically similar minerals manganese and iron. As pointed out in Tap Score, “black slime is usually due to bacteria that feeds on oxidized iron and manganese in your water supply.”
You can also use a mild dish soap or a specialized cleaning product designed for farmhouse sinks. Apply the cleaning agent to the sink and use a soft-bristled brush or sponge to scrub the sink gently in a circular motion, paying attention to any stains or spots.
The SECRET to cleaning a fireclay sink is to clean with a scrub sponge and Bar Keepers Friend which is a powdered cleanser and to use a Magic Eraser. The Magic Eraser is a game changer! My farmhouse sink receives a few small black marks due to metal scrapes.
Clean the sink on a regular basis with mild cleaners and a soft cloth. Dry your sink with a soft cloth to prevent water spotting. Scrape off heavier gunk with a plastic spatula or scrub it off with a Breeze scrubber. Use baking soda (or even a mild abrasive cleaner) to clean off crusted on gunk.
Magic Erasers will clean just about anything, but if you. need a little more oomph, soak that sucker in white. vinegar.
Bar Keeper's Friend states it is safe on porcelain, fireclay, and cast iron farmhouse sinks, but of course you'll want to test it on an inconspicuous spot first to be certain. (It's also great on stainless steel!)
Add Hydrogen Peroxide to the Mix
If the baking soda hasn't relieved your sink of all its stains, hydrogen peroxide may do the trick. Cover your sink in a layer of paper towels, then use a spray bottle to spray the hydrogen peroxide all over.
First, wet down the sink and sprinkle baking soda onto a moist sponge. Then scrub the sink with baking soda. Next, pour home hydrogen peroxide on the sponge and rub all over the sink. Wait about 15-20 minutes, and then rinse the whole sink.
Get Your Plunger and Plunge it!
The black slime backing up into your sink can be caused by a clogged pipe so plunging it will remove the clog. Give it a couple of good plunges, boil a kettle of hot water then proceed to pour it down the problem area.
The running water from your tap could see fine, but with a little more time around higher oxygen levels, the manganese in the water can leave behind brown or black stains in your sink or around your other fixtures.
Many homeowners ask if Magic Erasers® can be used on porcelain or if they will damage ceramic tile. The good news is that they can be safely used on ceramic tiles and porcelain, so you have nothing to worry about if you plan on using them this way.
Firing spots are brown or black color defects clearly visible, dark bullet holes on the outside of the porcelain. Please do not confuse them with the dark brown bleeding iron spots which originate in the raw material.
If you opt for a classic white porcelain farmhouse sink, it's very likely to get stained, and it will require regular cleaning to keep it sparkling.
They're Prone to Staining
“Be aware that classic, porcelain white farmhouse sinks can be more prone to staining, so upkeep is important,” he said.
BKF cleans and polishes most hard, nonporous surfaces. However, never use BKF on the following: cast iron, granite, marble, wood, fabric, leather, or painted surfaces. Although many of our fans have used BKF on mirrors, gold, and silver (sterling silver is OK), we advise against it.
For harder-to-clean stains, we recommend using 50/50 water and bleach or vinegar solution or a non-abrasive cleaner. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning and dry with a soft dry cloth. You can also use a Mr. Clean® Magic Eraser®.
Be sure to gently wash your fireclay sink with a wet soft cloth and dish soap. For removing any tough stains or gunk, you can use Bar Keepers Friend or a baking soda and vinegar solution with a soft cloth or sponge. Always wipe your sink dry after cleaning.
The best way to keep your fireclay sink in great condition is to regularly scrub it down with dish soap and warm water, using a soft sponge. Rinsing it down and drying it off with a soft dry cloth will prevent soap scum build up. 02. Avoid the use of abrasive cleaning products or scouring pads.
As a busy mom of young children, I have a lot of favorite cleaning tools, but if I had to narrow it down to just a few, Magic Erasers and Dawn dish soap would absolutely make the cut.
Clean sells a line called Magic Erasers, and Scotch-Brite offers a product called the Easy Erasing Pad. The secret behind these types of erasers is a material commonly called melamine foam. With just a little water, melamine foam can dig in and destroy stains that other products can't touch.