Cleaning a Black Bathroom Sink: Shiny and Streak-Free

Bathroom sinks are subject to more abuse than virtually any other sink in the home. They accumulate everything from soap scum to mouthfuls of toothpaste. Black bathroom sinks can show scum worse than any other color.

Protect Your Sink
Sinks are made for water. You should avoid draining trash or chemicals down your sink. Trash, such as used floss, lotion, or makeup should be thrown in the trash. Chemicals, such as hair spray or bathroom cleaner, should be disposed of appropriately along with other hazardous household materials.

Protect Yourself
Before cleaning your sink, and especially if you will be using harsh chemicals, put on a pair of gloves to protect your skin. Depending on the chemicals you will use, you may also need eye protection.

Remove The Worst Accumulation
Remove any hair, scum, or other accumulation that you can easily grasp or scrape with your fingers. You can just throw this accumulation in the trash or in a leftover plastic bag. Remove the plug from the sink and scrape all the scum on the plug into your trash bag.

Clean and Scrub
Use your bathroom cleaners to scrub off any residual build-up. This may take extra time and elbow grease, especially if you have an excessive build-up of lotion, makeup, toothpaste, or any other bathroom products. You can use paper towels, but to be even more environmentally friendly, use cleaning cloths or cleaning pads. Don't be afraid to scrub hard. Bathroom sinks are made of materials that can withstand the necessary assault required to clean the sink, and sometimes the only way to remove stains is with a lot of scrubbing. When you are finished, rinse the sink's entire surface with lukewarm water. This is also a good time to rinse your cleaning cloths in lukewarm water.

Dry
When you finish, wipe the sink dry with a paper towel or a dry cleaning cloth. Water spots can be noticeable on all types of sinks but especially on black sinks. They are created by drops of water that evaporate and leave behind a faint rim of minerals.However, water spots can be prevented by thoroughly drying the sink by hand.

Maintain
Maintain your sink's cleanliness by cleaning the sink at least once a week. Between cleanings, give the sink a quick wipe and dry with a paper towel or cleaning cloth every time you use it. You can store the cleaning cloths under the sink for quick access.