How To Clean White Stains On Granite Composite Sinks
Inside: What is that white film on your granite composite sink and what is the SECRET to making it disappear?
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I loved the black granite composite sink in my last house. Because it didn’t scratch like stainless. It dulled the metal clinking sounds. And it blended in beautifully with my black granite countertops.
I loved it until awful white stains suddenly appeared after I had to drip the water during a freeze one night. And wouldn’t budge no matter what I tried. I thought my perfect sink was ruined. Why had I never heard about this being a problem??😭
I turned to Google (as I always do) but everything I found to scrub it off didn’t work. Until I tried the one tiny tip that made my kitchen sink look good again.
If you don’t have a composite sink, you may not even know what one is (and feel free to hop over to a different post that you can relate to because I’m glad you’re here😊).
Even if you do have this type of sink, do you know exactly what they’re made up of? And how you should take care of it? I know I didn’t.
In my research, I found out what that nasty white film was, and how I should have been caring for this sink all along. So I’m sharing what I wish I had known to help you avoid some of the problems I had with my granite composite sink.
What Is A Composite Sink?
Composite sinks are a mixture of crushed stone particles like granite or quartz with acrylic resins. The resin is the reason why these sinks are so durable because it makes the sink’s surface nonporous, hygienic, heat-resistant, and scratch and chip-resistant .
What is that White Haze on My Granite Composite Sink?
Three culprits can make up that ugly white stain:
Hard Water Mineral Deposits.
This is one of the major issues I had because of the hard water we have here in Dallas. Over time with repeated use, hard water stains will gradually appear on the darker-colored composite sinks where the water hits most often, as the high levels of calcium, magnesium, and lime in hard water build up.
Soap Scum.
The solids in dish soap left behind after the water dries will also build up over time. The best approach with a new sink is daily cleaning and wiping it dry. I’m sure this was one of my issues too—because realistically, I’m never going to do that every time.
Harsh Cleaners and Etching.
Using harsh chemicals and abrasive pads in an attempt to remove the hard water deposits will strip the protective factory coating the granite composite sink comes with. The following products will cause permanent damage to the coating and stubborn stains will become a problem, especially on white composite sinks.
- Ammonia
- Bleach
- Undiluted Vinegar
- Barkeepers Friend
- Steel Wool
- Abrasive Pads or Textured Non-Scratch Pads
- Oven Cleaners
How to Clean White Stains on a Granite Composite Sink.
The following steps will help remove stains and hard water mineral and limescale deposits gently from your sink without damaging the coating.
1. Spray the surface of the sink with a 50/50 vinegar and water solution and let it sit for 15 minutes. Scrub the sink with the rougher side of a non-abrasive soft sponge. Rinse and wipe the sink down with a dry cloth so that you can see any stains remaining.
2. Make a paste with baking soda and water and spread on the remaining stains. Let it sit for 15 minutes and scrub with the same kind of sponge. Rinse the paste away and dry.
The Secret to Making a Granite Composite Sink Look Good Again.
Since I pronounce myself guilty on all three counts of ways to damage a granite composite sink. this deep cleaning didn’t improve my sink’s unsightly appearance. What magic did?
A coating of oil.
Not only does it make the sink look dramatically better, the oil repels the water that causes the build up in the first place!
Simply wipe the entire sink with a small amount of mineral oil. Apply it and buff off any excess oil with a soft cloth, or a paper towel.
To keep your sink looking its best, re-oil the sink on a regular basis. I tried to do it monthly. (I’ve read comments that people have also used Vaseline and WD-40 on their sinks, but I wouldn’t want to take the chance that these might get on the dishes I eat off of.)
SH&H Tip: This trick also makes a stainless steel sink gleam and helps with water spots!
Daily Cleaning a Granite Composite Sink.
If you want to keep up with the maintenance of your granite composite sink on a daily basis, here is what Blanco recommends for daily cleaning of their Silgranit sinks:
- Wet the sink and squeeze some mild dish soap onto the soft side of a sponge.
- Wipe the surface in a circular motion.
- Rinse with clean water and dry with a microfiber cloth.
If you’ve ever had one of these sinks, let us know what you think about them in the comments!
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We have this same problem and like you, we tried everything and have probably ruined the protective coating. We have Blanco too. I will try your solution. Our sink always looks white and unattractive. Thank you!