How to Care for Your Composite Sink | Wickes

Composite sinks are the most durable choice of kitchen sink, which are able to handle a lot more than ceramic or stainless steel alternatives. They’re usually made of a combination of materials including quartz, granite, resin, and acrylic, making them more resistant to scratches and stains.

This means that they’re generally quite low maintenance, but that doesn’t mean you should just forget about them. They’ll still need caring for to keep them in top condition. But don’t worry, it’s quite a simple process; keep reading for a handy guide on how to clean and care for your composite sink.

Useful links

To keep your composite sink looking its best, it’s a good idea to lightly clean it daily with a soft cloth and mild dish soap. It’s also wise to regularly check seals for wear to prevent mould and leaks. On the other hand, you should avoid harsh chemicals, abrasive pads, bleach, hot cookware, dye-running products, and leaving stained or wet items sitting in the sink, as these can all cause scratches, discolouration, or damage.
When giving your composite sink a deep clean, use baking soda, a water–vinegar spray, gentle scrubbing, and a final application of mineral oil to remove buildup, restore shine, and add a protective layer.

Daily upkeep

There are a few things you can do every day to keep your composite material sink looking good as new. A daily cleaning routine doesn’t need to be too intensive; all you need is a soft cloth or sponge and some mild dish soap to give the sink a quick scrub down at the end of the day. Make sure to give it a good rinse afterwards, as you don’t want to leave any chemicals, however mild, sitting in the sink for too long.

If you keep up with this daily task, you’ll be able to remove stains and food particles before they start to cause too much of a problem, making deeper cleans easier. If you don’t have time for a full clean-down every day, rinsing it after each use should prevent dirt from building up and causing a larger issue down the line. Make sure to let the sink dry afterwards.

It’s not just cleaning you’ll need to keep on top of. Other parts of your sink, such as silicone seals, will need to be checked for any signs of wear or damage. If these aren’t replaced when worn, your sink will be susceptible to mould growth or leaks.

How to give your composite sink a deep clean

If you’ve noticed your sink is looking a little tired, it might be worth giving it a deeper clean. There’s a right and a wrong way to do this, so let’s take a look at the best way to thoroughly clean your composite sink.

Baking soda
White vinegar
Water
Soft cleaning sponge
Toothbrush
Mineral oil
Spray bottle

Use kitchen towels to absorb and remove any grease, grime, or loose dirt from the sink. Then rinse with hot water.

Take some baking soda and sprinkle this into the sink, making sure every surface is covered.

Create a 75/25 mix of water and vinegar and pour this into a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto the baking soda, allowing the solution to begin fizzing.

Use a soft sponge or cloth to gently scrub this solution into the sink. Then switch to an unused toothbrush (or one you use specifically for cleaning) for smaller nooks and crevices like around and inside the plughole.

Once scrubbed, rinse the solution off and repeat steps 2 to 4. Make sure to rinse thoroughly as you don’t want to leave any chemicals sitting in the sink for too long.

Once rinsed and dried, apply some food-grade mineral oil to the sink and leave this to sit for 45 minutes. When this has dried, buff with a soft cloth to bring out the shine. This process makes your sink look good as new, and it creates a protective, repellent layer that will prolong its lifespan.

What should you avoid using on a composite sink

Now you know what you should do, it’s worth keeping in mind what you shouldn’t do as some products and chemicals can harm your sink. Here’s what not to use on your composite sink:

Harsh abrasives and acidic chemicals like oven cleaners and nail varnish remover can scratch and damage your sink, dulling its finish. Instead, you’ll want to use more gentle chemicals like dish soap or a mix of baking soda and vinegar.
For the same reasons, rough scouring pads or steel wool pads are also best to be avoided. If used, make sure to remove any stray steel ‘hairs’ from the sink or plughole as these will rust.
Much stronger chemicals like bleach can break down the materials used to in the sink, and discolour the composite material, especially if left in for a long time. This is why you should never leave items soaking in bleach in your sink, even if the bleach has been diluted.

Here are some things to avoid doing as you use your sink as they can shorten its lifespan:

Using a plastic washing up bowl can lead to dirt getting engrained into the bottom of the plastic and scraping across the bottom of the sink, causing scratches.
Placing hot cookware directly onto the composite from the oven or hob can damage it, so it’s best to leave these to cool somewhere safe before placing them in your sink.
Leaving wet cloths or sponges in or on the sink for a long time can cause water damage and mould to build up.
Using products with dyes may run and stain the sink, such as cheap double-sided sponges or food, hair, or fabric dyes.
Leaving stains to clean up later can end up with them becoming more permanent than you’d like. It’s a good idea to clean up stains as soon as they happen, especially for strong stains from tea, fruit juice, and coffee.

While composite sinks are the most durable sinks you can get, this doesn’t mean they look after themselves. It’s important to keep them clean and well-maintained, avoiding abrasive chemicals and cleaning products wherever possible.

As long as you carry out regular (ideally daily) cleaning, there shouldn’t be a need for a deep clean. However, if your sink is calling out for a deeper scrub-down, all you need is some baking soda, vinegar, water, and a bit of elbow grease to clean it up. Looking to refresh your whole kitchen? Check out our guide on how to care for your kitchen tiles.

FAQs

While oiling your sink is not a necessity, it can give it a shine that cleaning alone won’t be able to achieve. It also adds a protective and repellent layer that will mean you won’t have to do another deep clean for a long time.

While durability is a pro, composite sinks are not fully heat-proof. Many include materials like acrylic resin, which can warp or melt under extreme heat. This is why a trivet is advised rather than placing hot pans directly onto the composite material.