How To Clean Plastic Sinks?

Updated on March 9, 2023

If have you got a plastic sink just because its texture and light color suit the overall look of a kitchen, then you might have to put some extra effort to maintain its looks. In comparison to the stainless steel ones, these sinks can get really filthy and filled with stains in no time. The plexiglass material used in making these types of sinks can get damaged really easily. The plastic sinks can be a better option for many users as they give your kitchen or laundry room a new look and it’s not heavy on your pocket too. Not everyone finds them easy to handle in the long run as they have a high proneness to stains

Maintenance can be a serious issue as the acrylic plastic, resins, and fibers used in making these sinks can absorb a little moisture. Imagine making your favorite coffee, pasta, and tomato soup every day and end up having some hideous-looking stubborn stains that don’t seem to go away. You don’t need to spend your hard-earned money on getting expensive cleaning agents as you get all that you need without even stepping out of your house. Don’t know how to clean plastic sinks that have lost their color and shine. Here are some of tried and tested methods that will keep them clean and protected.

Why is Cleaning Plastic Sinks Difficult?

First of all, the color selection of plastic sinks by makers and users tends to be on the lighter shade side which automatically makes it quite vulnerable to being dirty easily. Even though you may find a few darker options too like black and gray which are comparatively easier to clean than the white or cream-colored ones, you still cannot use these sinks as aggressively as the metallic ones. You need to be a little extra careful and thoughtful in order to increase the lifespan of your sink. Above all the perspex material of these sinks can have burn marks or scratches easily, despite the shade.

Secondly, these sinks are mostly placed in the kitchen. Even Though the thermosetting plastic used in the making of most of the plastic sinks is heat resistant, you will still notice the darkening of the base of these sinks where you usually put your pans and pots. The third most important reason that makes cleaning these sinks extra difficult, confusing, and tiresome is that many users don’t make the effort to keep the plastic sinks clean from the very beginning. This leads to slow and gradual buildup which is difficult to clean. Lastly, the incorrect cleaning agents can not make it clean but even worse.

What Not To Use?

Before you find out the correct methods, first you should know which type of tools and cleaning products are a complete no for a plastic sink. Many newbie acrylic sink owners don’t find the need to get separate cleaning products for their plastic sinks. It is good as you don’t necessarily need or have to buy a high-end and dedicated cleaning product to make your plastic sink clean. But it is also true that if you use the cleaning materials that are designed for ovens or stainless steel materials then because of the high-intensity cleaning components your plastic sink will have a corrosive effect on it.

Such stain-removing materials are robust and can make the acrylic plastic wear quickly. You can see the thinning or decoloring of the areas where you apply such chemicals more. On the other hand, apart from these cleaning chemicals the tools also play an important role. You should not use powerful brushes with steel bristles as you will scratch the plastic surface. A knife should also not be used to scrape materials that have stubbornly got attached to the wall or base of your plastic or acrylic sink.

How To Clean Plastic Sinks?

Plastic sinks are a more affordable, appealing, and modern option as compared to the previously used metallic sinks. But it is also a fact that you need to give them extra care and time in terms of maintenance and cleaning. If you have already installed a plastic sink with a whitish shade in your kitchen then there is no need to exchange it. As even if your sink is full of scratches, stains, food, dark marks, and filth, it is never too late to bring it back to its original position and restore its color if you know the correct. So, without further ado, let’s sink into the details of the methods for cleaning plastic sinks.

1. Warm Soapy Water

Yes, it is true just some hot water and dishwashing liquid can do wonders together. It is the best and most convenient method for cleaning a plastic sink on a daily basis. If you have just bought and installed a plastic sink then you should follow this method as it is neither too harsh nor difficult. You don’t even need to get something from the market as you already have a dishwashing liquid soap in your kitchen just beside the sink.

So, you will first have to put the drain cap in the sink. Then you will have to put a generous amount of dishwashing liquid in the sink. Later fill the sink with warm water such that more than half of the plastic sink is filled with the warm soapy solution. Now let this solution in the sink overnight. In the morning take out the cap and let the sink get empty. Now take your scrubbing foam and scrub the sink thoroughly. After you have rinsed the plastic sink you will see how much difference it creates.

2. Vinegar And White Baking Soda

If you have neglected your plastic sink in terms of deep cleaning, then just a warm soapy solution can do nothing for you. You will have to take the game to the next level. Just add a weak but effective acidic solution to your cleaning ritual and you will see a marked difference. Vinegar is the best option as you can access it easily. Just first take the vinegar and pour it all over your sink in such a way that not only the corners but also the wall and base of the sink have been covered.

Take some amount of white baking soda and apply it all over the sink. Whenever you add the soda the vinegar seems to have a foam-like appearance. This foam-like appearance is similar to many industrial cleaning agents. Let this foaming solution have an effect on the overall structure of the sink for about 20 to 40 minutes. After the time has been completed take your copper brush and scrub the areas with burn marks. Once you are sure that there is no mark left just rinse it with tap water.

3. Bleach

Be careful as you can only use a bleaching liquid if your plastic sink is of white color. If you use it on gray, black, or brown colored plastic sinks, then their overall look would have been ruined. The bleach will remove the original color of any colored plastic sink, so be careful. You will have to rinse the sink and make sure there is no type of food attached to the wall. Now simply pour the bleach on the sink’s base and quickly pick up your copper brush or steel wool. Scrub the area where bleach had been poured in such a way that the bleaching agent is spread to the side walls and later rinsed.

4. Denture Cleaning Tablets

Surprisingly the denture cleaning tablets that are used for opening drains and cleaning toilets can also come in handy in cleaning plastic sinks too. These cleaning tablets are when put into a water solution the bicarbonates in it loosen up the hard stains and marks. If you have left these tablets for the time duration that has been mentioned on them, then remove the cap, and let the water move out. Now take your nylon brush or foam scrubber and try to scrub the area. Once it is clean, rinse it with water.

FAQ’s

How do you whiten a yellow plastic sink?

All the types of solutions, soups, juices, paints, and food that the sink has to bear is not easy to clean. If you have a plastic sink that was never cleaned before, then you will feel that the sink has lost its original white tone. The color tone can be a sign of improper cleaning procedures, low lifespan, and heat exposure. You can first soak the sink in a hot soapy solution, later drain the water, add vinegar and baking soda, or bleach if required. Scrub and spread the cleaning agents and viola you are done.

Conclusion

I hope that now you are familiar with the correct methods to how to clean plastic sinks. From scraping the food bits adhered to the sinks to removing the dark burn marks on the base you will have to follow different methods and buy many tools and chemicals. Not all brands claim to make your plastic sink as good as brand-new work. You can simply apply hot water, add vinegar with baking soda, bleaching liquid, and denture cleaning tablets to make it shiny and brand new.

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