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How to Prevent and Remove Bathtub and Sink Stains

Bathtub and Sink Stains

Feel like your bathtub or sink always looks dirty, no matter how much you clean it? Sink stains are common in older homes, and they can make an otherwise clean bathroom feel a bit gross. Thankfully, there are ways to remove bathtub and sink stains and prevent new ones from forming.

What Causes Bathtub and Sink Stains?

There are many potential causes of bathtub and sink stains, and some are more preventable than others. Typically, a sink will start to stain after years of wear on the outer coating. The stains are able to penetrate the more absorbent inner-layers of the sink, making them even harder to remove. Common causes of sink stains include:

  • Hardwater
  • Mineral buildup
  • Galvanized or iron pipes
  • Hot water spots
  • Sulphur water
  • Makeup products

The minerals in your water and the pipes in your home are the biggest contributing factors to bathtub and sink stains. For instance, if there is iron in the water and that iron is left to sit, it will oxidize and create rust. This leads to the reddish-brown stains you see around drains and dripping faucets. If you address the root cause of the stains, you can find an effective solution for them.

How to Remove Common Bathtub and Sink Stains

The first step in removing surface stains is to use liquid dish detergent to remove the top layer of grime on the sink. This will give you a clear picture of where the bathtub or sink is stained and where it is simply dirty from use.

If you have a white bathtub or sink, you can use bleach to soak the sink stains and brighten them. For all other bathtubs and sinks, you can use a combination of vinegar, lemon juice, water and dish detergent for deep cleaning. You can also apply baking soda to the stained area and pour distilled vinegar on top. Let the mixture foam for several minutes, and then rinse clean.

If you want a more abrasive approach, you could create a paste from baking soda and vinegar/water/bleach, and then scrub the stained area with a toothbrush. This will wear down the top coat, which could leave the bathtub or sink more susceptible to stains over time. Nevertheless, it is an effective way to tackle set-in stains that won’t come up with basic cleaning methods.

How to Prevent Bathtub and Sink Stains

The best way to clean bathtub and sink stains is to prevent them from ever forming. Get in the habit of wiping your sink, faucet and drain every time you use it. This will keep water from sitting on the surface for long, which means that the minerals inside the water won’t have a chance to oxidize. This will also keep water spots from forming, making your fixtures look as new as possible.

If you have old piping in your home, you may want to replace it soon. This will eliminate the buildup in the piping that comes out in your water, and it could boost your water pressure and water purity. You could look at getting a filtration system instead, but the plumbers ill most likely recommend repiping before you get a filter.

How to Make a Stained Bathtub or Sink Look Like New

If you’ve tried everything and still can’t get stains out of your bathtub or sink, there is an affordable option that won’t require replacement. Bathtub and sink refinishing costs much less than getting then new, and you don’t have to worry about tricky measurements or demo work. Our professional refinishers will thoroughly prep your bathtub or sink and repay and divots or blemishes on the surface. Then we’ll apply multiple layers of new coating to protect your sink’s surface and revitalize your bathroom.

Maryland Tub and Tile offers sink refinishing, tub refinishing, tile refinishing, and tons of other refinishing services in Maryland. If you’re interested in our affordable bathroom remodeling programs, please call 877-717-8827 or contact Maryland Tub and Tile to schedule a consultation.

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