Removing Kitchen Sink Stains & Preventing Them From Coming Back
I have an old original, yellow, double-sided kitchen sink that has drove me crazy for over 10+ years because it is constantly stained by coffee and food. It recently got to the point of ugliness that makes me perform a deep cleaning on it.
The following is a case study on how I got rid of the stains in the sink and also on the adjacent tile counter top, as well as, how I made sure that this was the LAST
The following is a case study on how I got rid of the stains in the sink and also on the adjacent tile counter top, as well as, how I made sure that this was the LAST
After Light Cleaning: Starting point. Terrible coffee and food stains and the sink finish is ugly and dull. The chrome in the sink has been damaged by bleach soaking the sink so many times.
After Light Cleaning:
Faucet has hard water deposits on and around it, as well as, peeking out from under the cover.
After Light Cleaning:
Yes indeed! As expected - there were crusty hard water deposits under the faucet cover, and as a bonus - I found crusties under the dishwasher machine's overflow cap.
After Light Cleaning:
Mildew stains on the tile grout - adjacent to the sink.
After Deep Cleaning:
1. Scrubbed stains with Barkeeper's Best Friend.
2. Performed a bleach soak on the remaining stains.
After Deep Cleaning:
The stains were removed but the sink finish has been through many years of abuse, so it doesn't look that great. Worst of all - at this moment it is unprotected and could be immediately re-stained!
3. Multiple doses of Lime-Away (R) and scrubbing got rid of the crusty hard water deposits.
I used the same combo of Barkeeper's Best Friend and Bleach on the adjacent tile and grout to remove the mildew stains.
After Protective Coating:
The sink, tile & grout were spray coated with Self-Cleen ST3 Self-Cleaning Coating. They are now protected against staining; and are resistant to bacteria, mold & mildew.
After Protective Coating:
The Self-Cleen ST3 coating gave the sink a new finish that actually shines and reflects, as well as, prevents staining. Coffee - you met your match!
After Protective Coating:
Self-Cleen ST3 coating on the faucet added a new shine and protects it against hard water deposit build-up. It also resists the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew.
After Protective Coating:
I coated the inside and outside of the dishwasher overflow cap with Self-Cleen ST3 to protect if from hard water, mold & mildew.
After Protective Coating:
The adjacent tile and grout were sealed and protected with Self-Cleen ST3. They are protected against mildew, staining, and bacteria growth.
After Protective Coating:
I coated the NEW dish strainer and sink gaurds with Self-Cleen ST3 to resist bacteria, mold and mildew grow - as well as staining. I Love my kitchen sink again!
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2 of 10 comments
Colleenon Nov 16, 2016I have a white sink that unfortunately stains easily. I was at my wits end until I saw your project and saw a possible solution to my problem. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find where to buy Self-Cleen product you suggested. I tried their website, Amazon and a few more that appeared on Google search b ut no luck so I'm assuming either the product is ;\listed under a new name or that it has been discontinued. Have you been able to find a substitute I could try? Thank you for trying to resolve an issue so many others have.
Kathyon Aug 27, 2017Call it serendipity, I call it God. I just moved into a rental, and the YELLOW sink looks just like your before picture. I have been looking at it in disgust, wondering what to do. If I owned the home, I would just have had a new sink put in. Now, I see that there is hope. Thanks, Kathy T
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