How to Clean an Acrylic Sink?

Acrylic sinks are durable and stylish, making them the perfect fit for household purposes but unlike stainless steel sinks, they can get pale or stained. They have to be cleaned from time to time to retain their shine. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean an acrylic sink.

How to Clean an Acrylic Sink?

To make your acrylic sink shine like new, gather the following supplies and follow the guide.

Material Required

• Boiling water
• Synthetic Vinegar
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Bathroom tile cleaner
• Multi-bristle cleaning brush
• Sponge scrubber or Scotch Brite
• Microfibre cloth or towel
• Sanitiser
• Drain cleaner
• Mild detergent

Step #1: Clean the Sink’s Surface

Apart from the positive psychological impact cleanliness makes, a hygienic washbasin promotes good health among residents. Here is a list of multiple methods you can employ to clean your acrylic sink without making much effort.

Method #1: Use Water and Vinegar

A very basic way to clean your sink periodically is to use synthetic vinegar along with hot water, this can also be used to a variety of sinks, and is applicable to cleaning copper sinks and maintaining fiberglass sinks.

All you need to do is:

1. Mix hot water and vinegar in a 2:1 ratio.
2. Fill this solution in an atomizer.
3. Clog your drain hole to prevent the solution from spilling into the drain.
4. Spray the solution over the sink and let it sit for 15-20 minutes
5. Use a sponge scrubber to remove pale marks.
6. Remove the stopper you placed to clean to clog your drain hole.
7. Wash the basin with clean water
8. Repeat the process 2-3 times for better results.

Method #2: Use Bleach and Water

Bleach is a very strong chemical that is often used to remove residual stains from cleaning cooking utensils to removing bacteria that was left after preparing dishes like turkey. To clean the acrylic sink using bleach, follow these steps.

1. Get your hands on a bleach solution.
2. Mix water with diluted bleach in a ratio of 1:10.
3. Clog your drain hole to avoid the mixture from spilling into the drain.
4. Spray this mixture on your sink and let it sit for an hour.
5. Use a sponge scrubber to remove stains.
6. Remove the stopper you placed to clean to clog your drain hole.
7. Wash your sink with clean water.

Warning: Don’t use method 1 and method 2 together. It is because vinegar reacts with bleach to give harmful chlorine gas. Breathing it in can be hazardous.

Method #3: Use Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) is a cost-effective and non-hazardous method to clean a sink. To clean your washbasin using rubbing alcohol:

1. Get a microfiber towel or a sponge scrubber for cleaning.
2. Dab the sponge in rubbing alcohol.
3. Apply vigorous pressure while cleaning the edges.
4. Wipe the sink using a wet towel.

Tip: Rubbing alcohol is volatile and hence, dries up quickly. Therefore, you have to rub your sink fast, or you may end up using more products than needed.

Method #4: Use Sandpaper and Acrylic Cream Polish

With time your sink can get scratch marks over it. This makes the surface rough allowing dirt to settle on it and reduces the overall appeal of the sink.

Don’t worry! These scratch marks can be removed easily without doing much. All you need to do is:

1. Use 600 grit sandpaper and rub on the scratch mark(s).
2. Wet the sandpaper and rub over the scratch mark in a circular motion.
3. Wipe the area with a damp cloth
4. Apply the acrylic cream polish over the area as per the instructions on the packet.

After applying the cream polish, the acrylic sink would shine as if it were new.

Method #5: Use a Bathroom Tile Cleaner

Using a bathroom tile cleaner is another method to make your sink hygienic and shine bright.

1. Mix a few milliliters of bathroom tile cleaner in water as per the instructions on the container.
2. Clog the drain.
3. Pour it over the sink.
4. Let the solution sit for 20-30 minutes.
5. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe stains. You can also use a sponge scrubber in case you don’t have a microfiber cloth.
6. Wash the sink with clean water

Step #2: Clean the Faucet and Pop-Up Drain Hole

Cleaning the sink is not enough. The drain and faucet are the other main elements of the washbasin that must be appropriately cleaned along with the sink. To clean the faucet and the sink, follow these steps for better results.

Step #2.1: Use a Multi-Bristle Cleaning Brush and Water

A multi-bristle brush is a good tool to clean the drain down the line. It helps remove the debris accumulated under the drain hole that cannot be cleaned using bare hands.

Use the multi-bristle brush along with two mugs of hot water to clean your drain hole. For the faucet, use a mild detergent along with hot water the clean stubborn dirt. Use the brush to remove the dirt along the rim of the faucet.

Step #2.2: Use a Fragrant Drain Cleaner

For better hygiene, use a drain cleaner to kill the germs breeding in your drain hole.

1. Take 50ml of drain cleaner and mix it with 100 ml of normal water.
2. Pour the solution down the drain hole.
3. Let the solution sit for 30-60 minutes. You can also let the solution sit overnight for better results.
4. Wash it off using tap water.

Step #3: Sanitize the Faucet

Last but not least step is the sanitization process. When the sink is clean, it can stay clean for weeks. But that isn’t the case with the faucet.

The faucet is touched daily. Thus, there is a high chance that contaminants are present on its handle.

These microorganisms on the faucet are very minute in size but can easily travel to your gut via body contact. That’s why using sanitizer is recommended at least once a day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Sink Is Better to Use, Single Bowl or Double Bowl?

These days single bowl sinks are in demand. But, a single bowl acrylic sink doesn’t come with a divider. This makes disposal comparatively tricky in comparison to a double bowl sink.

On the other hand, you cannot wash large utensils in a double bowl sink. Understanding your needs before making a purchase decision is key to getting your money’s worth.

How Can I Refurbish My Old Acrylic Sink?

With a little care and a few tricks, you can make an old sink shine like new. Here is a complete video tutorial that can help you refurbish your old acrylic sink.

Conclusion

Acrylic sinks are growing in popularity and for good reason. More and more people want a designer acrylic sink over any other washbasin in their homes. A fancy washbasin adds to the aesthetic of the space it has been placed in.

There is a wide variety of acrylic sinks available in the market. Whether it is plain or designer, washbasins are an essential part of every household. But, even the prettiest sink can get unfit to use when it is not cleaned from time to time.

In cases that there is an overflow hole while cleaning the sink, it would not be that hard to continue. Thus, by following this step-by-step guide, you can make your fancy or ordinary sink shine as new.