The essentials in 30 seconds
Match the cleaner to the material. For enameled cast iron and vitreous china or fireclay sinks (the glossy "porcelain" look, in kitchens and bathrooms), Kohler says to apply a non-abrasive cleaner to the surface or to a wet cloth or soft sponge, rub, rinse thoroughly and polish dry, and never use a brush, scouring pad, steel wool or wire brush. Don't leave coffee grounds, tea bags or dirty dishes sitting on the glaze. For rust marks, Kohler lists Bar Keepers Friend and Super Iron Out Rust Stain Remover. Composite sinks (often black or dark) must stay away from bleach, chlorine cleaners, drain cleaners, solvents and abrasive cleaners, according to BLANCO. For a smelly garbage disposal, InSinkErator suggests grinding citrus wedges with cool water and cleaning the removable baffle.
- Test any unfamiliar cleaner on a small, hidden area first, Kohler advises.
- Rinse and wipe the sink dry after each use.
Sink cleaner by material
| Sink material | Cleaner and method | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Enameled cast iron (Kohler) | Non-abrasive cast iron cleaner on the surface or a wet cloth or soft sponge; rinse; polish dry | Brushes, scouring pads, steel wool, wire brushes, abrasive sponge pads |
| Vitreous china and fireclay (Kohler) | Same method; rinse and wipe dry after each use | Same; staining materials left on the glaze |
| Composite granite (BLANCO Silgranit) | Washing-up liquid daily; limescale remover; cooking oil on a sponge for metal marks | Bleach, chlorine, drain cleaners, lyes, solvents, abrasive cleaners |
| Ceramic (BLANCO) | Washing-up liquid on a soft sponge; ceramic cleaner every 3–4 weeks | Scouring powder, strong tap and steel cleaners, steel sponges |
| Stainless steel | Warm soapy water and a soft sponge; see our guide | Steel wool, scourers |
Not sure what your sink is made of? Check the maker's name on the sink or its paperwork, then that maker's care page.
How to clean a cast iron or porcelain sink
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01
Apply
Squeeze a non-abrasive cleaner directly onto the surface or onto a wet cloth or soft sponge.
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02
Rub
Loosen the dirt with a rubbing action; never a brush or scouring pad.
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03
Rinse
Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
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04
Repeat if needed
Repeat the application if a stain remains.
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05
Polish
For a bright shine, polish with a soft, dry cloth.
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06
Rust
For rust marks, Kohler lists Bar Keepers Friend and Super Iron Out Rust Stain Remover; follow each product's label.
Kohler's daily tips: rinse and wipe dry after each use, use only non-scratch pads, don't leave coffee grounds, tea bags or dirty dishes on the glaze for long, and consider a bottom rack and rinse basket to protect the surface from scratches. The same advice covers glazed bathroom sinks.
Cleaning a composite sink
BLANCO's Silgranit composite is 80 % quartz sand and 20 % acrylic matrix. On it, stains cling to limescale, not to the material, so a limescale remover suited to the material clears them; BLANCO also puts apparent discolouration, on dark sinks too, down to limescale deposits. Metal marks lift with a little cooking oil on a wet sponge, rinsed off with warm water. Keep bleach, chlorine, drain cleaners, lyes, solvents and abrasive cleaners away. Full routine in how to clean a kitchen sink.
Freshen a sink disposal
- Citrus: cut lemons or oranges into wedges, run the disposal and feed them in one at a time with a steady stream of cool water; the rinds help clean the grind parts.
- Peach pit: InSinkErator suggests half a peach with its pit to dislodge stuck food.
- Baffle: on Evolution Series models, pull out the baffle in the collar, rinse it and wipe off food residue.
- Ice: it can clean the grinding parts, but usually melts before it cleans the whole chamber, and there are no blades to sharpen: InSinkErator disposals grind with impellers against a shredder ring.
- Never put your hand into the disposal. If it hums, jams or won't start, see garbage disposal not working.
Sink cleaner: FAQs
What is the best cleaner for a porcelain sink?
A non-abrasive cleaner applied with a wet cloth or soft sponge, then rinsed and wiped dry; no brushes, scouring pads or steel wool (Kohler's instructions for vitreous china and fireclay).
What does Kohler recommend for cast iron sinks?
Its non-abrasive cast iron cleaner on a wet cloth or soft sponge, and Bar Keepers Friend or Super Iron Out for rust marks.
Can I use bleach on a composite sink?
BLANCO says no for its Silgranit sinks: bleach and chlorine cleaners can cause lasting damage.
How do I clean a smelly garbage disposal?
Grind citrus wedges with cool water and clean the removable baffle, as InSinkErator suggests.
How do I clean a black sink?
Check the material first. If it is composite, remove limescale with a cleaner suited to the material and avoid bleach and abrasives, as BLANCO advises for Silgranit.
Sources
Manufacturer cleaning instructions, checked on 2 November 2026 (02/11/2026).
- Kohler · Enameled cast iron kitchen sinks: cleaning instructions ↗Cleaner on surface or wet cloth or soft sponge; never a brush or scouring pad; rinse; repeat; polish dry; test unfamiliar surfaces; rinse and dry after each use; no steel wool, wire brushes, abrasive pads; don't leave staining materials; racks and rinse baskets; rust: Bar Keepers Friend, Super Iron Out. Read in the browser.
- Kohler · Vitreous china and fireclay kitchen sinks: cleaning instructions ↗Same guidance for vitreous china and fireclay. Read in the browser.
- BLANCO UK · How to care for your Silgranit sink ↗Stains cling to limescale; cooking oil for metal marks; avoid bleach, chlorine, drain cleaners, lyes, solvents, abrasive cleaners. Read.
- BLANCO UK · Cleaning ceramic sinks ↗Soft sponge and washing-up liquid; deep clean every 3–4 weeks; avoid scouring agents, strong tap and steel cleaners, steel sponges. Read.
- InSinkErator · How to clean garbage disposal ↗No blades (impellers and grind ring); ice melts before cleaning the whole chamber; citrus wedges with cool water; peach pit; removable baffle on Evolution Series. Read.
Sink still dull?
Identify the material, switch to the cleaner its maker recommends and drop the scouring pads: most damage comes from the wrong product.