We’ve all been there before – you take a look at your sink and notice streaks of yellow stains towards the bottom that seem impossible to get rid of. Don’t worry though, in this article you will learn how to remove yellow stains from the sink as well as some tips for preventing them in the first place.
The easiest way to remove yellow stains from a sink is to soak some paper towels in diluted distilled white vinegar and place them over the stains. Leave them to work for roughly 30 minutes to an hour and then remove – wipe away the remaining residue and the yellow stains should be completely removed.
There are a few other methods you can try depending on what cleaning products you have access to, and in the rest of this article, we will explore all of the different options as well as tips for keeping your sinks stain-free in the first place.
What Causes The Yellow Stains In The First Place?
Yellow stains in the sink are commonly caused by 2 things – hard water and oils.
Hard water can stain sinks by leaving deposits of minerals such as calcium and magnesium on the surface, whereas oil stains are caused by products that you may use in the sink that is not rinsed away correctly leading to stains.
Some of the methods below are more suited for hard water stains and vice versa, so we will try to point this out for each method. This way, if you know what is causing your yellow stains you can identify the easiest cleaning method sooner. If you are unsure, start from the first method and work your way down until you find a method that works for your sink.
Can These Methods Be Used On All Types Of Sinks?
The majority of sinks will either be made from stainless steel, ceramic or porcelain.
We have carefully selected the cleaning methods below to work on all of these types of sinks. Bleach can sometimes be an issue for ceramic toilets for example, but if it is diluted with water and not left on the surface for long it should cause no problems – which is why we have recommended this method.
Spot Test Before
It is still highly recommended to spot test each method on a small area of the sink before you use it to tackle the yellow stains, however.
This will ensure that your sink does not encounter any damage during cleaning – the last thing you want is for it to look worse than before you started.
Removing Yellow Stains From Sinks: 6 Easy Ways
Let’s get into the methods for removing yellow stains from your sink easily and quickly.
1. Distilled White Vinegar
Mix distilled white vinegar with water in equal parts as needed and place some paper towels over the yellow stains.
Soak the towels in the vinegar solution and leave the area for 30 minutes to an hour. After the time is up remove the towels and take a clean dishcloth and wipe any residue away.
2. Baking Soda Paste
This method is very similar to the previous one but uses baking soda alongside the distilled white vinegar to form a paste.
Start by mixing equal parts of distilled white vinegar and water as before, but mix this solution with equal parts of baking soda to form a thick paste. Generously apply the paste to the yellow stains and seal the area using cling film.
Leave this for a couple of hours and then wipe it away using a clean dishcloth.
3. Bleach
Regular household bleach is another great way to remove yellow stains from sinks, but it needs to be diluted to be used safely. We also recommend steering clear of toilet bleach, as this can easily stain countertops and sinks alike.
When handling bleach wear the recommended safety gear on the label, such as a mask and gloves, and you’re ready to get started. Mix bleach and water in equal amounts as required and apply the solution using a non-abrasive scrubber.
Scrub the yellow stains thoroughly and then rinse the area out with water straight from the tap and allow to dry.
4. Bar Keepers Friend
Barkeepers Friend is a great all-around cleanser that you may already have in the house already, which means it can be a highly convenient option.
It is entirely safe to use on all types of sinks, so if you have some around the house you should consider using it. Barkeepers friend is applied using on a wet surface, which shouldn’t be an issue in a sink, using a rag or towel.
5. Dish Soap
Dish soap can actually do a good job at tackling yellow stains on sinks and is readily available in most households.
It’s also probably the easiest cleaning solution to use as well – start by applying a few drops of the soap to a damp rag or towel and rub the stain thoroughly. Rinse with water regularly and keep going until the stain has lifted and that’s all you need to do.
6. Branded Sink Cleaning Solution
Unsurprisingly there are a lot of branded sink cleaners out there on the market that can remove just about any stain you could encounter, including yellow stains.
If you have a preferred sink cleaner, then be sure to try that first following the instructions on the label to tackle the yellow stains.
How To Prevent Yellow Stains
If you have hard water it is very difficult to prevent it from creating yellow stains over time on your sink. Even if you test your water using a hard water testing kit, there isn’t anything you can do to reverse it.
You can definitely prevent oil stains though. If you use any products that contain oils, such as hand soap or even facial products, make sure you rinse them out of the sink if any end up on the surface.
Final Thoughts
Although it can be difficult to prevent yellow stains on sinks, we hope you have a good idea of how to remove yellow stains from sinks after reading this article.
Don’t forget to spot test each method to ensure that you don’t damage your sink and you are good to go.
