Porcelain enamel is a hard-wearing glass that’s permanently fused to aluminum, cast iron or steel using exceedingly high temperatures. Several things in your home may have a porcelain enamel surface. Examples include dishwashers, refrigerators, washers and dryers. Range tops and ovens are always manufactured with this type of surface because porcelain enamel can withstand high temperatures. Toilets, sinks, bathtubs and cookware are other examples. Read this informative article and find out how to clean stubborn stains from porcelain enamel surfaces.
Warnings: 1) To avoid scratches, don’t use any type of abrasive cleansers, pads or sponges to clean porcelain enamel. 2) Don’t use bleach on colored porcelain enamel either as it can lighten the color.
3) Don’t use acetic or muriatic acids or cleaners that contain them. 4) Protect your skin and eyes while working with strong cleaners by wearing safety goggles and rubber gloves. 5) Keep all cleaners out of the reach of children and pets.
1. Bleach
Clean stains from a white sink with household bleach. First, open exterior doors and windows to ventilate the room. Then, cover the bottom of the sink with a couple layers of paper towels. Carefully pour bleach over the towels until they can’t absorb any more. Set a timer for 15 to 30 minutes and let the stains soak. Remove the paper towels. Rinse the sink well with plenty of tap water. Wipe it dry with clean paper towels.
Clean stubborn stains from a porcelain enamel item in the same manner. Place several paper towels over it. Then, saturate the towels with bleach. Let the item soak undisturbed, then rinse it well with tap water. Dry well.
You can also use household bleach to remove stubborn mildew stains. Mix 1 cup of bleach in 1 quart of water. Apply the cleaning solution with a sponge. Rinse the stains well with tap water.
2. Borax
Remove stains- including rust- from a porcelain enamel sink. Mix a ¼ cup of lemon juice into 1 cup of borax to make a paste. Dip a clean cloth or sponge into the paste. Rub it onto the stain- use more paste as needed. Rinse the stain clean with warm, running water. If the stain remains, repeat the process.
3. Vinegar
Clean hard-water stains out of a sink or bathtub. Put the plug in the sink or tub. Run hot water from the faucet while you pour 3 cups of white vinegar in. Shut the water off when the stains are covered with water. Allow the stains to soak for 4 hours. Drain the water out and scrub the sink or bathtub clean with a non-abrasive pad or sponge. Rinse it well with clean water.
4. Baking Soda
Remove stubborn coffee stains from porcelain enamel. Moisten a clean cloth with tap water. Dip a corner of the cloth in baking soda and scrub the stain; use more soda as needed. Rinse the stain well with clean water. Dry with a clean, soft cloth.
5. Trisodium Phosphate and Household Bleach Separately
Remove fruit juice and tea stains. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of trisodium phosphate in 1 quart of warm water. Scrub the stains with a clean cloth and the cleaning solution. Rinse well with tap water. Then, follow with a mixture of 3 tablespoons of bleach in 1 quart of warm water. Rinse the area clean with tap water, then dry.
Resources
http://www.msue.msu.edu/objects/content_revision/download.cfm/revision_id.493514/workspace_id.-4/01500084.html/
http://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-tricks-for-a-sparkling-sink/
http://www.porcelainenamel.com/care.htm