Black marks are one of the most common types of stains on ceramic and porcelain sinks. Porcelain and ceramic sinks develop grey and black marks whenever they come into contact with other metal surfaces. The marks become visible over time as the metal oxidizes and reacts with the glaze on the sink.
While the presence of black marks is aesthetically unpleasing, they are not a big issue and can easily be removed. They are usually surface-level and do not require any special techniques or expertise.
In this article, we will discuss the causes of black marks on ceramic and porcelain sinks, look at some effective ways to remove black marks from your sink, and finally provide some tips on how to prevent black marks from appearing on your ceramic or porcelain sink in the future.
If you have a deep scratch on your ceramic or porcelain sink, this article is not for you. I will address this in a later post.
Causes Of Black Marks On Ceramic And Porcelain Sinks
Black marks don’t develop out of the blue. They come about as a result of one of the following two reasons:
1. Contact With Other Metal Surfaces
The most common cause of black marks on ceramic and porcelain sinks is contact with other metal surfaces. This usually happens when you are moving something around in the sink and it rubs up against the sides or bottom of the sink. This includes metal pots and pans, silverware, and even other ceramic or porcelain surfaces.
Take for instance when you are washing aluminum pots and pans in your sink. The pots will definitely cling to the sides of the sink and leave black marks behind. When these pots and pans are put in the sink, they are sometimes unintentionally dragged across the surface of the sink, leaving behind black streaks. Also, if you accidentally drop a fork or spoon in the sink, it can leave a black mark. Even just putting silverware in the sink can cause black marks because of the contact between the two metals.
2. The Use Of Chemical Products
Another common cause of black marks on ceramic and porcelain sinks is the use of chemical products in the sink. When products such as skin care products and hair products are used and drops fall into the sink, they can leave black marks.
Ways To Remove Black Marks From Porcelain And Ceramic Sinks
There are several ways that you can remove black marks from your ceramic or porcelain sink. Let’s look at 4 of the most effective methods.
- Using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide
- Using baking soda and vinegar
- Using borax and lemon juice
- Using Bar Keepers Friend
Using Baking Soda And Hydrogen Peroxide
One of the most effective ways to remove black marks from your ceramic or porcelain sink is to use a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Baking soda is a natural abrasive and acts as an absorbent to help remove surface dirt and grime. Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizing agent that will break down the black marks and make them easier to remove.
What You’ll Need:
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Baking soda
- Soft sponge
- Soft cloth
Procedure For Cleaning:
- Make sure the surface of the sink is wet before you start. If the sink is dry, run some water in it to wet it down.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the black marks. Using a moist soft sponge, scrub the surface of the sink in a circular motion.
- Next, spray some hydrogen peroxide over the baking soda. If you don’t have it in a spray bottle, soak the soft sponge in the hydrogen peroxide and then rub it over the sink. Wait for about 5 – 10 minutes before rinsing.
- After 10 minutes, the black mark should disappear. If there is a trace, use the sponge to scrub further until completely gone, and rinse the sink thoroughly with clean water.
- Use a soft cloth to wipe the sink dry.
Using Baking Soda And Vinegar
Just like using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide mixture, this method also uses baking soda as the abrasive and vinegar as the cleaning agent. The combination of these two ingredients will help to remove black marks quickly and easily.
What You’ll Need:
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Non-abrasive sponge
Procedure For Cleaning
- Wet the surface of the sink and spread some baking soda over the surface of the sink where there are black marks.
- Pour some white vinegar into a bowl. Using a sponge, soak it in the vinegar and then rub it over the baking soda on the surface. This will create a foaming action. Leave the mixture on for about 15 minutes
- After 15 minutes, use a non-abrasive sponge to scrub the surface of the sink. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry the sink with a soft cloth.
Using Borax And Lemon Juice
Borax is a naturally-occurring mineral that has a wide range of uses, one of which is stain removal.
It is commonly found in powder form and can be used to clean a variety of surfaces, including countertops, tiles, and sinks. Borax works by breaking down the bonds that hold together dirt, grease, and grime. As a result, it can be used to clean tough stains such as black marks on porcelain and ceramic sinks.
Borax can irritate the skin, so it is important to wear gloves when handling the substance.
What You’ll Need:
- Borax powder
- Lemon juice
- Sponge
Procedure For Cleaning:
- Start by mixing together equal parts of borax powder and lemon juice to create a paste.
- Apply the paste to the black marks on your sink and leave it on for about 15 minutes.
- After letting it sit for some time, use a sponge to clean over the surface of the affected area.
- Rinse very well with clean water and wipe dry with a clean cloth.
Using Bar Keepers Friend
Bar Keepers Friend is a household cleaning product that can be used to clean a variety of surfaces, including ceramic and porcelain sinks. When using this product, it is important to follow the directions on the label. Bar Keepers Friend is a powerful cleaning agent and should be used with care.
What You’ll Need:
- Bar Keepers Friend
- Soft sponge
Procedure For Cleaning:
- Get any pieces of food or dirt that are left over in the sink and rinse some water through the sink to get the surface wet.
- Sprinkle some Bar Keepers Friend over the black marks on your sink. You can choose to sprinkle it all over the sink or just on the soft sponge and begin scrubbing the surface. It is recommended not to leave the Bar Keepers Friend in the sink for more than 1 minute. Well, you honestly don’t even need to because, in just seconds, you will see the black marks start to disappear as you scrub.
- After scrubbing rinse with clean water and wipe with a clean cloth. Your sink should be looking nice and shiny now.
How To Prevent Black Marks On Your Porcelain And Ceramic Sink
While it may be totally impossible to prevent black marks on your porcelain and ceramic sink, there are steps you can take to reduce their occurrence or the frequency at which they occur.
- Wipe your sink down after each use. This will help immediately clean and remove any stains from your sink.
- Avoid dragging pots, pans, and dishes across the surface of your sink as much as possible. Since one of the main causes of black marks on the surface of your porcelain and ceramic sink is aluminum marks from pots and pans, it is best to avoid this altogether.
- Whenever you use chemicals and other products on your sink, be sure to rinse the surface well afterward. Don’t leave it to sit on the surface of the sink as this can cause staining.
Conclusion
Black marks on porcelain and ceramic sinks are a common problem. They are not a permanent fixture on your sink and can be removed with the right products and some elbow grease. It is also important to take the necessary steps to minimize its occurrence. While taking the above-outlined preventive steps may not guarantee that your sink will never get black marks on it again, it will help to reduce the occurrence. That’s it. Thanks for reading.