How to Remove Rust Stains from Porcelain Sink?

Stressed about the stubborn rust stains on your porcelain sinks making it unattractive?

Not anymore!

We have come up with all the possible solutions you can try at home and make your porcelain sinks new as ever. Think about it, if using minimum products, you could get rid of these unattractive rust stains.

What’s more?

They will bring back the lost shine from your beautiful porcelain sinks.

Let us put forward the 16 best remedies for removing rust stains from your beautiful sinks.

The post includes the homemade and ready-made remedies that do wonders with porcelain, be it sinks, washbasins, or bathtubs.

Cause | Homemade Cleaners | Store-Bought Cleaners | Extra

About Porcelain Sinks:

Porcelain sinks have made their way into countless homes. It gained popularity for being non-porous and durable material of all time. Besides, it is easier to clean than other materials.

The sinks made from porcelain are either solid porcelain or enamel-coated porcelain over steel, iron, or fireclay. However, the only problem with porcelain is that it can crack. Apart from that, porcelain needs a little care and maintenance.

Now, you might be concerned about the stains and buildup on your sinks. It’s due to:

In the kitchen, the porcelain sink develops stain due to leftover food
In the bathrooms, due to cosmetic products.

You can prevent this by wiping the stains immediately.

Besides, porcelain also tends to develop hard water stains, scratches, and rust stains.

How Are Rust Stains Caused?

Rust stains around porcelain sink drain, and toilet bowls develop because water reacts with high amounts of iron particles or untreated metal components.

Often, rust stains develop where there is hard water. The mix of minerals in the water and iron particles stick to the porcelain surfaces and form rust stains. Unless the water is treated with a water-softening system, the stains reappear after cleaning.

Direct contact with rusted metals also causes rust stains on porcelain such as metal containers, shaving cream can, leaking faucets, or water dissolved iron.

Let’s Remove Rust Stains.

Porcelain, despite the ease of cleaning, is not resistant to stains. While regular cleaning helps prevent dirt from accumulating, removing stains need different remedies.

To prevent rust stains, you need to try different solutions and check which removes the rust without damaging the porcelain sink. Remember, while handling porcelain, handle it gently to avoid damage.

Caution: Avoid using rough or high abrasives on porcelain. For antique porcelain sinks, avoid using harsh chemicals as they are likely to develop scratches.

High abrasives with bleach are off-limits on white/colored porcelain sinks.

Homemade Cleaners

If the rust stains are new and mild, you can try the following natural remedies that work as rust removers to remove rust from your porcelain sinks.

Table Salt and Lemon Juice

In this method,

Sprinkle table salt evenly on the damaged sink surfaces until they are entirely saturated.
Next, squeeze the lemon juice over the salt. Using a soft cloth or a nylon sponge, scrub the stain away.
Yet, if you see the rust stain, allow the salt and lemon juice to rest for an hour before cleaning again.
After cleaning with clean water, wipe a soft cloth over the sink.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

While using baking soda and vinegar,

Prepare a mixture of baking soda and vinegar in the ratio of 1:3 for tough rust stains.
Use a scouring sponge to apply the mixture to the rust stain and allow it to sit for an hour.
Rinse the sink after an hour, and the rust should be gone.
But, you may have to repeat this process if the stains persist.

White Vinegar

Another effective remedy is using white distilled vinegar to treat rust stains. For tough stains, consider using cleaning vinegar instead of white vinegar.

Apply vinegar on the affected areas.
As vinegar as acetic acid, the rust stains will change the color after 5 minutes.
Immediately wipe away the vinegar and rinse the sink with clean water.

Note: The acids in lemon juice and vinegar can sometimes wipe away the shiny finish of your porcelain sink. Hence, try using these items in a smaller area before using them on the sink.

Borax and Water (warm)

Borax is another all-purpose household cleaner that aids in removing stubborn rust stains from your porcelain sinks.

To make this method work, mix Borax with warm water creating a paste.
Then, apply it to the rust stain.
Let it rest for at least an hour.
Lastly, wipe it with a soft, cotton cloth.

Bath Cleaner

You can also try using a bath cleaner available at your home to get rid of the rust stains. See to it that the bath cleaner should contain a fine abrasive powder.

Rub the powder on the affected areas and rinse.
The fine powder will not cause damage to the porcelain even if rubbed.

A Pumice Stone or Stick

An alternative is a pumice stick or stone for removing rust stains from porcelain sinks.

Wet the stone and scuff the rust away with some elbow grease.
The wet stone will create a paste that will lift and remove stains as you rub it.
Once done, rinse it with clean water.

Cream of Tartar

Potassium bitartrate or Cream of Tartar contains tartaric acid helps in treating rust stains.

Before cleaning with a wet nylon brush, drizzle the cream of tartar on the affected area.
Add a few drops of water to make a paste.
To keep the paste moist, cover it with plastic wrap.
Give it some time and rinse the sink with normal water.

The above methods also effectively remove hard water stains, scratches, or food stains from porcelain sinks.

Store-Bought Cleaners

Let us look at some chemical-based products, otherwise, commercial rust removers will help remove rust from porcelain sinks. In addition, these are fast and effective methods.

Bar Keeper’s Friend (BKF)

Bar Keeper’s friend is one of the most recommended cleaners on the internet.

Firstly, wet the surface of the affected areas and sprinkle the BKF onto that wet surface.
Next, using a cloth or sponge, gently start rubbing the stains.
Within a minute of application, rinse thoroughly and wipe dry.

Naval Jelly

Another commercial rust remover is naval jelly used to remove rust stains from metals. While using naval jelly, apply a thin layer on the rust stain and wash immediately after the color of the stain changes.

Use naval jelly with caution because it helps remove rust stains from metals.

CLR

Ensure that the room is well-ventilated while using CLR.

Mix equal parts CLR and warm water.
Directly apply the paste to the stain using a brush, cloth, or sponge and leave it to soak for ONLY 2 minutes.
Rinse with cold water immediately.

Caution: Never leave CLR on a surface for more than two minutes. Do not pair CLR with other cleaners. Always try on the cleaner on a smaller unnoticeable portion before cleaning the entire porcelain sink. Do not inhale these cleaners.

Hydrogen Peroxide

In this method,

First, put on gloves.
Spread a layer of paper towels all over the sink.
Pour the hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle.
Then, spray the bleach on the towels thoroughly.
Allow it to soak for 30 to 60 minutes.
Remove the towels and carefully clean the sink with clean water.

Note: Do not use chlorine bleach on colored porcelain.

Shaw’s Pad

Shaw’s pad is a recommended product for treating rust from porcelain sinks. They are cheap, efficient, and eco-friendly. You have to dip the pad in water and gently start scrubbing.

source maidsailors.com

Muriatic Acid

First and foremost, wear goggles, rubber gloves, and a dust mask.

To use the chemical to remove rust stains,

Dilute and combine the muriatic acid with water in the ratio of 1:1.
Carefully dip the brush into the mixture without getting it on your hand.
Then apply it to the rust stains on porcelain.
Let it sit for an hour and reapply if the surface is drying out.
Now, scrub the rust stains and immediately rinse them with clean water.
Lastly, allow the area to air dry.

Caution: Never leave the room unattended when using muriatic acid. Make sure that the solution must not touch your bare skin. Do not inhale the acid as it can irritate your eyes or lungs.

IronOut

Similar to BKF, IronOut is a highly used rust remover for porcelain sinks. While using IronOut,

First, wet the area and apply it over the rust stains entirely.
Using a sponge or cloth, rub the area to wipe away the rust from porcelain.
Rinse thoroughly.

Tip: For older, worn, or chipped porcelain sinks, avoid using IronOut.

Whink

One of the fastest cleaners is Whink rust stain remover. Believe it, Whink works like a charm!

Just apply Whink on the rust stain and scrub it with the help of a bathroom scrub brush.
The rust will disappear instantly.

Some Other Solutions

Even after using these methods, the rust stains persist. You may have to consider the two given options.

Paint with high-quality enamel paint

Painting the porcelain sink with enamel paint will cover the rust stains and make your sink as new as ever.

Last option- Replace the sink

However, if you are not up for paint, the last option –REPLACE IT. You can always replace the sink and get a new one to make your kitchen/bathroom look attractive and clean.