The Kitchen Essential That Can Buff Scratches Out Of Your Porcelain Sink

A porcelain sink can add a touch of practical elegance to your space. Most people go for a classic white, but porcelain basins are available in a wide range of colors and patterns. Installing a porcelain sink in the kitchen or bathroom also provides you with a durable fixture that should withstand daily use. Porcelain sinks can be scratched, though; especially in the kitchen by cookware and utensils. Scrapes and impacts can scuff the surface, leaving behind ugly marks and small gouges that don't go away with soap and water. But fear not, a little baking soda can do the trick.

Baking soda is a common kitchen essential that can also be used to clean your bathroom. It's mildly abrasive and much softer than finished porcelain, so it'll polish your sink without making any further marks or scratches. Keeping a box of baking soda near your sink also gives you quick access to a degreaser, hand cleaner, and deodorizer. Baking soda is also cheap, natural, and non-toxic so you don't have to do anything special while using or disposing of it.

This baking soda cleaning hack for porcelain sinks is pretty straightforward. Start by cleaning the sink so you can see the scratch marks clearly, then mix a bit of baking soda with warm water in a small container. You want a paste that's spreadable but not too wet that it won't stick; something akin to toothpaste. Use a microfiber cloth or sponge to apply a small bit of paste to a prominent scratch on the sink, then rub the spot gently with a tight circular motion for at least a few seconds. 

Rinse the paste away with warm water and inspect the results. Repeat the process for any still-visible scratches, then give the sink a final wash and rinse with soap and water. Our tips for cleaning a porcelain sink suggest using very hot water, and a razor blade comes in handy for especially stubborn stains. Be careful how you handle metal utensils and heavy cookware, and a silicone liner like the Oxo Good Grips sink mat will protect your porcelain sink from some scratches.