A yellowing sink can be unpleasant to look at and frustrating to manage. It can quite literally cast a stain on how your home or business premises look and how you feel about it, so let’s look at what causes a sink to turn yellow and what you can do about it.

Common causes of a yellowing sink

Hard water

Minerals in your water can build up over time, causing discolouration.

Mould and mildew

Damp environments such as bathrooms are breeding grounds for mould and mildew, which can cause staining on sinks.

Soap scum

Soap scum can accumulate and create a yellowish residue on your sink.

Corrosion and rust

Corroded and rusty pipes and fittings can cause discolouration. These signs of deterioration may be visible, or you may need to invest in a CCTV drain survey Nottingham or elsewhere to diagnose underlying issues. These investigations can help ensure proper maintenance and repairs to prevent future issues and are carried out by companies such as www.wilkinson-env.co.uk/drainage-services-cctv-surveys-midlands/cctv-drain-surveys/cctv-drain-surveys-nottingham/.

Chemical reactions

Cleaning agents and toiletries can react with each other; for example, ammonia-based cleaners and bleach can often cause chemical reactions that lead to the discolouration of sinks.

Ageing

Yellowish discolouration can result from porcelain or enamel coatings deteriorating over time. This can be accelerated by harsh cleaning agents.

How to get rid of yellow stains

Start by identifying the underlying cause of the staining to prevent recurrences. This could mean anything from changing your cleaning methods to requesting a CCTV drain survey in Nottingham or elsewhere.

Once it is time to clean, use a thick paste made from a mixture of baking soda and water. Bicarbonate of soda and baking soda can be a miracle cleaner in your home, as explained in an article on the Good Housekeeping website

You should spread the paste on and leave it for around 20 minutes. A toothbrush can be used to gently scrub the area in a circular motion. Finish by rinsing thoroughly with warm water.