Ask a QuestionHere are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community or ask a new question.
I have a alabaster porcelain sink. I really don't know what happened, but there is a white ring mark in the sink. I can't get it out. I'm thinking someone put a pan that was too hot in the sink. How can I remove this white ring?
By celeste from Waterbury, CT
Have you tried baking soda?It should work, good luck.
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
How do I keep my porcelain sink white without using bleach or harsh chemicals?
By Diane Abbruzzese from Littleton, CO
I would try a non scratch scrub pad available in super market. 3M makes several types and scrub with a soap of your choice. (09/20/2009)
By Deanj
Use Whiting, it is a super-fine powder for polishing glass items such a porcelain, mirrors, appliances, etc. It is available in good paint stores (used as a paint thickener). Wipe sink down with sudsy all-cotton terry cloth; sprinkle whiting and then wipe clean (polish is more like it). There's no law against waxing the sink or placing a rubber mat in bottom to protect against scratches or nicks from pans.
By Cajun
I live in an area with hard water and my sinks and toilet bowls become yellowed without regular care. I use Polident denture cleaner for my sinks and toilet bowls. Two tablets does the trick. I let the cleaner and water sit overnight and by morning, all is bright white again. (10/20/2009)
By Wilhelmina
I'm cleaning porcelain sinks that seem to have a touch of soap scum and what looks to be remnants of a sealant around the faucet. The stuff is so hard, I've been using a razor to carefully take off the stuff. Just wondering, when I take it off is the porcelain supposed to shine or am I taking off the protective layer?
BigJess from MN
I went to use my canner for making borscht and found it so coated with shale from our water that I poured in straight vinegar. It helped a little then I put the vinegar in the microwave until it boiled. Cleaned that old enamel pot like it was new. I had heard that hot vinegar is a miracle cleaner. In this case it was. I'm sure it will lift the stuff around the taps. Bleach could dull the finish. (02/17/2009)
By Siris
Try vinegar or CLR. Don't use any of these things in combination though. Something that has been suggested should work for you. (02/21/2009)
By Louise B.
Scrub out sink as usual then fill to the very tip top with HOT (boil some in a pot if necessary) water and 1 cup of bleach. Let sit 1 hour, drain and rub dry with clean cloth =) If you have small children, you should do this when they are asleep or not at home for safety reasons. (01/05/2009)
By Nicki
Use baking soda, and then scrub it out. (01/07/2009)
By michaela
I use bleach on mine and it works beautifully. It takes out the stains and it looks like new, so I have to agree with Nicki with the use of bleach.
By Kathy
I use Comet and a scouring pad. (01/08/2009)
By Deeli
You can use Bar Keeper's Friend (I found it at Walmart), or you can use denture cleaning tablets. I do happen to wear dentures, so I have some on hand. I do keep an extra box of polident for smokers in my kitchen for cleaning stains in the sink, as well as cleaning out my coffee pot! (01/09/2009)
By Michael
I use Oxy-Clean (the stuff that guy "Billy" screams at you about on TV). Just sprinkle a little into the sink and rub it all over the sink down to the bottom. Leave a few minutes or hours even, and then rinse off. Sparkling clean! I use baking soda for all other cleaning. (01/09/2009)
By Linda
I mix equal parts of water, 70% alcohol and non-sudsy ammonia in a spray and clean everything with it. Smells clean when done. (01/12/2009)
By mklema92658