The Word Porcelain Sink
The word porcelain sink may give some people the runaround but in truth they are not all that different from any type of sink you can find. While many porcelain sink models do have a stainless steel finish, most porcelain sinks do not. True porcelain sink sinks are manufactured out of ceramic, unlike stainless steel sinks which are manufactured from a combination of stainless steel and copper. Porcelain sinks also have a porcelain backing which gives them an attractive matte finish. Porcelain sink manufacturers include a wide variety of sink styles ranging from single holed to double holed and everything in between.
While most porcelain sink models do come with a stainless steel finish, these are not really true stainless metals. True porcelain sink materials are created from clay or pottery, not stainless steel. This means that they can be subject to the same stain and tarnish problems as stainless metals. True porcelain sink materials will never allow stains to build up on them like they can on stainless metals which can easily see a gradual build-up of stains over time. While most porcelain sink models do include some form of protective sealer, it is important to realize that most of these products do not work well with hard water build-ups and acidic foods.
A common problem that people commonly encounter when using a vitreous porcelain sink is the buildup of hard water deposits on the rim and the finish. If this occurs then the rim of the sink will become severely discolored. This is because the porcelain becomes coated in minerals that harden due to water exposure. However, even if a person does not have hard water deposits on their porcelain sink, this finish can still affect the durability of the product. Porcelain is not as resistant to scratching and buffing as stainless steel, so it can be expected to wear down over time.
The same goes for the appearance of mildew and stains that are left on the porcelain surface. These types of stains are generally visible to the human eye; however, there are some types that are less noticeable but which still leave a dulling or scratchy residue. Most stains will form over time as a result of too much use or too much food and drink being scrubbed into the sink. Hard water, especially if it is hard mineral based, will also leave behind stains of its own. Porcelain kitchen sinks need to be cleaned and refinished at least every two to three years to keep them looking good and to avoid any potential damage that may occur over time.
There are two ways to clean a porcelain sink: one is with hot water and one is with cold water. Either way, both methods work, but hot water is preferred. First, you must fill your sink halfway with hot water, which should already be heated by the sink's hot water heater. Next, you will want to wipe your porcelain sink with a soft, lint free dish soap. Rinse this off and then repeat this process until all of the soap has been removed.
If there is a dent or scratch in your sink, then it may be best to replace your porcelain sink instead of repairing it. Some scratches can be fixed with an undermount sink, while others such as those that appear from hard water or hard deposits can be handled by replacing the sink altogether. Although an undermount sink is more expensive than its stainless steel counterpart, it is considered to be a more sanitary and cleaner option because it does not sit on top of the foundation.
Wiping a stain with a cotton swab is a great way to remove stains from porcelain items. Simply dampen the swab with mild soap and begin wiping the stain. Be careful when wiping as streaks can ruin the finish of the item. To remove stains that cannot be removed with a swab, such as dark or discolored stains from hard water deposits, then you may need to consult with a kitchen specialist to see what you can do. He or she may be able to use a special stain removing solution to help you. Before using one of these solutions, make sure that the area being treated is nonporous, so that the solution does not damage the porcelain.
While porcelain sinks offer a sense of style and luxury for many people, they may not be right for some environments. A steel or iron sink is far more durable than a porcelain sink, so if you are looking for something durable for your home, consider upgrading to one of these stronger materials. If you have children or pets, a metal sink may not be the best choice. Still, if you take the time to look into what materials are best for your home, you can find the porcelain sink that works best for your home.
Ufaucet 6″x6″ Modern Porcelain Above Counter White Ceramic |
While most porcelain sink models do come with a stainless steel finish, these are not really true stainless metals. True porcelain sink materials are created from clay or pottery, not stainless steel. This means that they can be subject to the same stain and tarnish problems as stainless metals. True porcelain sink materials will never allow stains to build up on them like they can on stainless metals which can easily see a gradual build-up of stains over time. While most porcelain sink models do include some form of protective sealer, it is important to realize that most of these products do not work well with hard water build-ups and acidic foods.
A common problem that people commonly encounter when using a vitreous porcelain sink is the buildup of hard water deposits on the rim and the finish. If this occurs then the rim of the sink will become severely discolored. This is because the porcelain becomes coated in minerals that harden due to water exposure. However, even if a person does not have hard water deposits on their porcelain sink, this finish can still affect the durability of the product. Porcelain is not as resistant to scratching and buffing as stainless steel, so it can be expected to wear down over time.
The same goes for the appearance of mildew and stains that are left on the porcelain surface. These types of stains are generally visible to the human eye; however, there are some types that are less noticeable but which still leave a dulling or scratchy residue. Most stains will form over time as a result of too much use or too much food and drink being scrubbed into the sink. Hard water, especially if it is hard mineral based, will also leave behind stains of its own. Porcelain kitchen sinks need to be cleaned and refinished at least every two to three years to keep them looking good and to avoid any potential damage that may occur over time.
There are two ways to clean a porcelain sink: one is with hot water and one is with cold water. Either way, both methods work, but hot water is preferred. First, you must fill your sink halfway with hot water, which should already be heated by the sink's hot water heater. Next, you will want to wipe your porcelain sink with a soft, lint free dish soap. Rinse this off and then repeat this process until all of the soap has been removed.
If there is a dent or scratch in your sink, then it may be best to replace your porcelain sink instead of repairing it. Some scratches can be fixed with an undermount sink, while others such as those that appear from hard water or hard deposits can be handled by replacing the sink altogether. Although an undermount sink is more expensive than its stainless steel counterpart, it is considered to be a more sanitary and cleaner option because it does not sit on top of the foundation.
Wiping a stain with a cotton swab is a great way to remove stains from porcelain items. Simply dampen the swab with mild soap and begin wiping the stain. Be careful when wiping as streaks can ruin the finish of the item. To remove stains that cannot be removed with a swab, such as dark or discolored stains from hard water deposits, then you may need to consult with a kitchen specialist to see what you can do. He or she may be able to use a special stain removing solution to help you. Before using one of these solutions, make sure that the area being treated is nonporous, so that the solution does not damage the porcelain.
While porcelain sinks offer a sense of style and luxury for many people, they may not be right for some environments. A steel or iron sink is far more durable than a porcelain sink, so if you are looking for something durable for your home, consider upgrading to one of these stronger materials. If you have children or pets, a metal sink may not be the best choice. Still, if you take the time to look into what materials are best for your home, you can find the porcelain sink that works best for your home.