The unsightly brown patches on your tub and your sinks are probably rust, and it's caused by a number of different things. Often, rust is a result of water carried through older, rusty galvanized pipes. If you have hard water, rust can be caused by the residue of iron and minerals left behind on the surface.
Repair a Porcelain Sink with Epoxy Putty
Just as before, be sure to clean and dry the affected area. Cut the appropriate amount of epoxy putty and knead it (wearing gloves) for roughly one minute, or until it becomes malleable and has a uniform color. Be sure to apply epoxy putty within 2–3 minutes of mixing it.
The stains appear most often in homes located in hard-water areas, where the combination of minerals and iron bacteria in the water can cause rust particles to cling to the porcelain or enamel surfaces of bathroom fixtures.
Your brand new sink most likely isn't rusting. Instead, some other metal like a cast iron pan or old knife left behind some water with iron in it. You could easily wipe away those scary brown rust stains with a soft cloth. That's the good news.
Professional Plumbing Help
Not only is a rusty sink ugly to look at, but rust can cause damage over time. If you spot rust around your plumbing, it's best to get it removed as quickly as possible. Use any of the above methods to carefully remove rust stains and enjoy a clean, fresh sink again.
THE FIX: Hydrogen peroxide
Apply it with a soft sponge to the offending stain. Let the paste dwell on the ceramic or porcelain surface for one or two hours. Scrub down the stain with a stiff-bristle brush.
The good news is that you can remove rust from your bathroom quickly and easily with WD-40 Multi-Use Product. Yes, the same one you've probably used to lubricate the hinges on the bathroom door. Just spray a little on the rust stain, wait a few minutes and start scrubbing with a mild abrasive.
Porcelain sinks have an average lifespan of 20–25 years. While all materials take on wear and tear over time, porcelain sinks can be refinished to keep them looking brand new and gorgeous for decades.
Borax and Warm Water
You cannot ask for better natural and all-purpose cleaner than Borax. You can use it to clean various surfaces, like your porcelain sink. All you need to do is prepare a paste using the Borax and warm water. Then apply the paste over the stains and leave it for a few hours.
It is worth it to refinish a porcelain sink. The refinishing process involves stripping away the old finish, repairing any damage, and applying a new finish. While it is a bit of a process, it is usually much cheaper than replacing the sink. Refinishing can restore the sink's beauty for another 10 to 15 years.
INSTRUCTIONS: TO CLEAN TUBS, TOILET BOWLS, SINKS, PORCELAIN, CEMENT, STUCCO and BRICK: Mix equal amounts of CLR and warm water. Apply directly to calcium, lime or rust with brush, cloth or sponge. Rinse promptly with cold clean water. If stain does not disappear, use CLR full strength, wipe and rinse promptly.
Harsh scrubbing can damage porcelain, so your first line of attack should be the least abrasive. For white porcelain only, bleach can be used to remove stains; never use chlorine bleach in colored or vintage porcelain, as it can damage the finish.
The brown stain is from a large amount of iron in your water. It is closely related to simple rust that you see on metal, which is iron oxide. Your water probably comes from groundwater that filtered through rocks containing iron-rich minerals on its way to the well.
CLR's unique formulation has multiple uses! Safe for various applications and surfaces… (tubs, showerheads toilets, sinks, porcelain, glass, cement, stucco, brick, stainless steel, and much more)!
For cleaning and sanitizing, the CDC recommends a dilution of one cup of bleach to five gallons of water. Diluting bleach decreases the alkalinity and is safe for regular use on all types of porcelain and ceramic tile surfaces.
A baking soda and vinegar solution is perfect for cleaning a porcelain sink and removing stains. Make a paste out of the two ingredients and use a soft-bristled brush (such as an old toothbrush) or cloth and your finger, to apply and scrub the stained area.
You can safely use vinegar to clean ceramic or porcelain tiles, whether they are glazed or unglazed.
Water Supply.
This is the most likely culprit. Dissolved iron in your water supply can leave behind a minerals that give your sink an orange veneer. Iron is not harmful beyond the worn look it gives your fixtures, but you could consider a water softener or filter to reduce the concentration.
Whilst the right solution is a completely safe, natural, and vegan-friendly cleaner for your floors, you do have to be careful with how you use it. This is because too much exposure to strong vinegar could strip away the finish on your porcelain.
Use lemon juice and salt.
Make a paste using salt and enough lemon juice (bottled is fine) to get a thick consistency. Apply the paste to the rust, let it sit for 15 or 20 minutes, and then scrub it off with a scrubber sponge.
Rust stains on a stainless steel sink can have a variety of causes including: A cast iron pan or other metal pans left to soak. Utensils or flatware left in the sink. Metal cans (pet food, vegetables, etc.)