Porcelain: It’s a beautiful, elegant material that’s lovely to have in your home, but isn’t always the strongest. While yes, porcelain is tough, it’s not invincible, either.

Having a porcelain sink in your home is a nice addition to your kitchen, but cleaning it properly is important in maintaining the material. “Porcelain is easy to scratch, stain, or dull with the wrong cleaning approach,” explains Ryan Knoll, founder of Tidy Casa, a home cleaning service. “Acidic chemicals or abrasive scrubbing can wear down the glaze, and this makes the sink prone to discoloration and damage.”

However, using the right cleaning methods, covered below, will keep your porcelain sink looking fresh and will help extend its lifespan, too. 

Materials Needed

• Baking soda
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Soft sponge

Step-by-Step Cleaning Process

Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide is Knoll’s go-to method—it’s effective, works with stuff you already have around the house, and won’t damage the porcelain.

1. Rinse the sink with warm water to remove any loose debris.
2. Sprinkle baking soda evenly across the sink. “It works as a gentle abrasive to lift grime without scratching,” explains Knoll.
3. Pour or spray hydrogen peroxide over the baking soda. “This creates a fizzing reaction that helps break down stains and brighten the surface—and honestly, this is just kinda fun to watch,” says Knoll.  
4. Scrub with a soft sponge in circular motions, focusing on those stained areas. “Please avoid steel wool—this is the stuff that will remove that glaze I mentioned earlier,” warns Knoll. 
5. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes for deeper stains.
6. Rinse with warm water and wipe dry.

Alternative Cleaning Methods

If you don’t have baking soda and hydrogen peroxide on hand, Knoll suggests a few other tried-and-true methods:

• Cream of tartar and vinegar: “This is straight from my grandma’s cleaning playbook,” says Knoll. “Mix the cream of tartar with a white vinegar to make a paste. Throw that on the stain, and let it sit for 5–10 minutes, then rinse.”
• Lemon and salt: Cut a lemon in half, sprinkle salt on the cut side, and use it to gently scrub stains. The citric acid lifts discoloration, while the salt provides a mild scrubbing effect. Bonus: It smells amazing.
• Castile soap and water: This is a simple, natural option for everyday cleaning. It’s mild, effective, and won’t wear down the glaze, according to Knoll. 

Tips For Maintaining A Clean Porcelain Sink

Avoiding a scratched, discolored porcelain sink involves maintaining it often. Wipe down your sink daily—use a soft or microfiber cloth or sponge to prevent buildup. “Avoid harsh chemicals like ammonia, bleach, or acidic cleaners—they can eat away at the glaze,” warns Knoll. “Also, ditch the abrasive scrubbers and use microfiber cloths or non-scratch sponges instead.”

Clean spills immediately, especially coffee, wine, and tomato sauce, which can stain if left too long. “Basically, avoid leaving anything super acidic in your porcelain sink,” advises Knoll. “Use a sink grid or mat to prevent scratches from heavy pots and pans. This is my favorite because you can just set it in there and forget about it.”

Cost-Effective Cleaning Solutions

Commercial cleaning products can not only be expensive, but they’re not always available in your home, either. It’s nice to be able to use products that are already in your pantry or wherever you keep cleaning supplies. Most folks already have baking soda and hydrogen peroxide somewhere in their home, and these two products make the perfect cleaning solution for a porcelain sink. 

The Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser is a good pick to have on hand, as well as Castile soap, white vinegar, and water. Since you probably already have these products in your home, you don’t need to go out and purchase a cleaner specifically for porcelain, as these will do the job just as well. 

How Often Should I Clean Porcelain Sinks?

Porcelain sinks see a lot of action, so a quick wipe-down daily and a deep clean once a week will keep them in top shape. “If you spot a stain, deal with it ASAP—fresh stains are way easier to remove than set-in ones,” warns Knoll.