How I Clean My Farmhouse Sink

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My farmhouse sink is one of my favorite things in my kitchen. I love how big and versatile it is. Even cleaning it is fun!

My farmhouse sink was the biggest splurge for our cottage renovation. It was important because the sink helped validate the cottage feel and look. When you are calling a single wide manufactured home a cottage, you really need all the help you can get! Combined with the garden window, the sink completely changed the whole appearance and feel of the kitchen.

I had wanted a farmhouse sink for forever! They are so cool! There is no divider so you get one huge space to work in. After looking around for several months at box stores, I ordered my Whitehaus Fire Clay farmhouse sink online.

I was really nervous about ordering a 115 pound sink and having it shipped across the United States. FedEx delivered it right to our front porch. The apron sink was packed unlike anything we had ever seen. I was literally holding my breath while helping my husband unpack it. I am happy to report it arrived in perfect condition!

The fireclay sink is handmade in Turkey from all-natural clay and lead-free materials. After being fired at 1600 degrees, the clay and glaze fuse together. The results are a very hard and durable ceramic which is resistant to scratches and chips.

Regardless of the materials used for the sink, over time stains can appear. We have extremely hard water and over the course of a week, I had not taken the time to dry out the sink at the end of the day. Sure enough, a light brown water stain appeared.

The manufacturer recommended using an over the counter all-in-one cleaner and polish. I followed the directions on the bottle and I was not happy with it from the time I opened it. This cleaner had an unpleasant odor. The label listed morpholine and D-limonene. It did make the sink shinier but the stain remained. Because of the toxins added to over-the-counter cleaners, I clean only with natural cleaning products, most of which come from my pantry.

I clean my sink with two of my favorite natural cleaners: baking soda and lemon juice. These two pantry staples are so cheap to clean with yet very effective. I love how they leave my sink sparkling clean and the kitchen smelling lemony fresh! My sink is now five years old (where has the time gone?) and I wash dishes in it every day. Guess what? It is still my favorite and it still looks new!

Liberally sprinkle baking soda into bottom of dry sink.
Liberally sprinkle lemon juice over the baking soda. The baking soda will start to fizz. (If you do not have lemon juice, lemon essential oil works well too.)
Using a soft dry rag, gently rub lemon juice and baking soda to form a paste in bottom of sink.
Using a fair amount of pressure, scrub the sink focusing on any spots. Let the paste sit for 15 minutes.
Rinse with cool water and dry with a soft rag.

Don’t you love using all natural ingredients to clean with? I love the peace of mind I get from knowing that I am using healthy cleaners without toxins and chemicals.