How to Clean a Cast Iron Sink

Co-authored by Raymond Chiu

Cast iron sinks are durable and covered in a layer of enamel to help protect the metal. While cast iron sinks can last a long time, cleaning a cast iron sink is not always so intuitive. Acidic cleaners and abrasive sponges can scratch and discolor the enamel on the sink. You should regularly maintain your sink by washing it out with a combination of soap and water. For harder to clean sinks, an all-natural paste of baking soda and vinegar can help alleviate stains, grime, and soap buildup.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Performing a Quick Cleaning

1
Mix water and dishwashing soap together in a 5-gallon (18.92 l) bucket. Mix 1 gallon (3.78 l) of hot water with 2 tablespoons (29.57 ml) of dishwashing soap. Look for a dishwashing liquid that has a grease cutting agent in it and a scent that you like.^{[1]
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2
Wipe down the sink with a sponge or rag. Dip a sponge or rag into the water and soap solution that you created. Once the rag is saturated, wipe down the inside basin, the top, and the sides of the sink. The solution should start creating suds on your sink.
- Do not use steel wool, wire brushes, or abrasive sponge pads because they could damage the enamel coating on your cast iron sink.^{[2]
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3
Rinse down the sink. Run the faucet to rinse down the entire sink. If you are having issues reaching hard to reach places, use a cup to collect some water and then use it to rinse down different areas. Remove all of the suds that you created from wiping it down.
4
Dry the sink. Use a dry rag or dish cloth and wipe your sink dry. Microfiber cloth is also a very absorbent material that can help you dry off a wet sink.^{[3]
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Research source} If you do a basic cleaning on your sink at least once a week, it will be easier to clean your sink in the future.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Doing a Deep Cleaning

1
Mix 1/2 cup (90 g) of baking soda and 1/4 cup (59.14 ml) of vinegar together. Pour the baking soda and vinegar into a bowl and use a spoon to mix the solution together. As you mix the two ingredients together, it should start to form a paste. If the solution is too thick, add more vinegar to it.^{[4]
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2
Rub the paste into your sink. Use a sponge to rub the baking soda and vinegar paste into your sink. Continue to work in circular motions until you've removed all the dirt and scum.^{[5]
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3
Rinse the sink. Clean the sink with water from the faucet. Use a cotton cloth to help remove all of the paste.
4
Use the cork from a wine bottle to scrub away pot marks. Scratches left on the basin and sides of your cast iron sink are called pot marks and are created by pots and pans. These lines or marks can be worked out by using a wine bottle cork. Scrub the area with the cork until the scratches have been removed.^{[6]
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- The soft cork will wipe away any marks without scratching the finish on your sink.
5
Repeat the steps until your cast iron sink is clean. Continue to rinse and re-wash your cast iron sink until it is shiny and spotless. You should perform a deep cleaning when your sink gets overly dirty, or once a month for maintenance.
6
Dry down the sink. Wipe down the sink after you've rinsed it with a dry cotton cloth. Get all of the moisture and leftover cleaning solution off the surface and inside the basin of your sink.^{[7]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Keeping the Sink Clean

1
Don't leave tea bags or coffee grounds in the sink. Tea bags and coffee grounds can stain the enamel finish on the sink, which can be hard to remove. Throw away your tea bags and coffee grounds after you use them instead of putting them in your sink.^{[8]
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2
Rinse and dry down your sink after every use. Porcelain enamel finishes are prone to water marks and dirt buildup. The enamel can become damaged or discolored from different chemicals. For this reason, you should rinse down and dry your sink after every use.^{[9]
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3
Remove pots and pans from the sink to prevent pot marks. Wash your dishes, pots, and pans as soon as you are finished with them. The longer things stay in your sink, the more likely they will stain or scratch the finish.^{[10]
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Expert Q&A

Question

What sponge do you use to clean a cast iron sink?

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Raymond Chiu is the Director of Operations for MaidSailors.com, a residential and commercial cleaning service based in New York City that provides home and office cleaning services at affordable prices. He has a Bachelors in Business Administration and Management from Baruch College.

Raymond Chiu

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

Use a non-abrasive sponge, never a wire brush or steel wool pads. Sprinkle baking soda on the sponge and work it into the sink. Rinse the baking soda off with water and repeat the cleaning process if necessary.
Question

How do you prevent stains on a cast iron sink?

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Raymond Chiu is the Director of Operations for MaidSailors.com, a residential and commercial cleaning service based in New York City that provides home and office cleaning services at affordable prices. He has a Bachelors in Business Administration and Management from Baruch College.

Raymond Chiu

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

Prevent stains by keeping pots, pans, and other debris out of the sink. Never leave items that can stain in the sink for extended periods, like coffee mugs and tea bags.
Question

Can I use Rain-X on a porcelain enamel cast iron sink?

Community Answer

I wouldn't trust a product made for exterior use for an indoor surface - especially on what sounds like a kitchen sink that may be in contact with food.