What Is the Easiest Kitchen Sink to Keep Clean?

Keeping a kitchen sink clean is no easy task — especially if you live in a busy household where the sink is going to be in constant use throughout the day.

Blemishes such as water spots, stains, scuffs and scratches on the surface of your kitchen sink can instantly make your entire kitchen look and feel much older than it should.

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And removing a kitchen sink from a countertop in order to replace it can be a costly and time-consuming process.

That’s why it’s extremely important to make sure you choose the best kitchen sink material to suit your needs during the planning stages of your new kitchen.

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What Is the Best Kitchen Sink Material?

Kitchen sinks are made from a wide variety of different materials and all vary in terms of their durability and resistance to scratches, stains, and scuffs.

Some solid surface sinks such as pure granite kitchen sinks look amazing, but they can also be very porous in nature. This means they can easily soak up grease and colors from foods or other liquids when washing dishes — causing unsightly stains around the inside of your kitchen sink bowl.

Other kitchen sinks such as stainless steel or porcelain sinks are non-porous, but are generally more prone to scratches and chipping due to their hardened enamel surfaces.

When it comes to choosing the easiest kitchen sink material to keep clean, there are several factors you should consider before making your final selection.

Below we have outlined the pros and cons of the most common and widely used kitchen sinks available.

Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks

Stainless-steel kitchen sinks are an extremely popular choice for a number of different reasons.

They are fairly inexpensive compared to other types of kitchen sink materials, versatile in design, and are made from a completely non-porous material.

However, they are also prone to scratching and water spots caused by hard water inside your taps.

Pros of keeping a stainless-steel kitchen sink clean

• Non-porous surface that is stain-resistant (when regularly cleaned and properly maintained).
• Solid surface made from durable material that will not chip, crack or break.
• Any scratches over time will layer over on top of one another and will build a new foundation.
• A variety of additional accessories can be purchased to aid reduce impact and friction on the base of the sink, and also to make the sink more multifunctional.
• Easy to sterilize in order to remove any harmful germs or bacteria.
• Available in a variety of different sink types including, top-mount (or drop-in), under-mount and flush mount.
• Extremely resistant to high temperatures.

Cons

• Heavy cookware can make dents in the stainless-steel surface which are extremely hard to get out.
• Much noisier than most other types of kitchen sink materials when in use.
• Susceptible to scratches caused by sharp, harder materials being washed carelessly in the sink.
• Prone to water spot stains.

Enamel Coated Cast Iron Kitchen Sinks

Enamel coated cast iron kitchen sink, Image courtesy of Amazon

Enamel coated cast iron kitchen sinks are a popular material used in the manufacture of kitchen sinks.

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They are very durable in design and typically finished with a porcelain enamel coating to prevent the vulnerable cast iron metal from rusting.

However, the smooth enamel finish on the surface of a cast iron sink is also vulnerable to chipping.

Pros of keeping an enamel coated cast-iron kitchen sink clean

• Cast iron kitchen sinks have a non-porous enamel coating that is resistant to stains.
• Easy to keep clean with ordinary household cleaners.
• Can last a lifetime if properly cleaned and maintained.

Cons

• Installation may require additional support underneath the countertop because of it’s heavy weight.
• Enamel coating is vulnerable to chipping when washing heavy duty cookware.
• The hard surface can easily break plates or glassware if proper care is not taken when washing dishes in the sink.

Stone Composite Kitchen Sinks

Stone composite kitchen sink, image courtesy of Amazon

Stone composite kitchen sinks are made from natural stone materials such as marble, slate, or granite.

These skillfully crafted stone sinks look modern, discourage bacterial growth and are great for enhancing the overall look of your surrounding kitchen decor.

However, they can be more expensive than most other kitchen sinks, are susceptible to scratches, and can develop a patina or worn-out appearance overtime.

Pros of keeping a stone composite kitchen sink clean

• Extremely durable surface that is unlikely to chip, dent or scratch.
• The smooth non-porous surface discourages bacterial and microbial growth.
• Easy to clean without the use of harmful chemicals such as bleach.
• Available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, configurations, colors, and matte finishes.

Cons

• Typically more expensive than most other types of kitchen sinks.
• While they are heat resistant, some composite sinks may warp when directly exposed to high temperatures (e.g. when a hot pan is placed directly in a dry sink without rinsing and cooling it off first).
• Can develop a worn out patina appearance over time if the sink is not regularly cleaned or properly maintained.
• Minerals in hard water can stain the surface, especially if your composite sink is a lighter shade in color.

Porcelain, Ceramic and Fireclay Kitchen Sinks

Fireclay kitchen sink, image courtesy of Amazon

Porcelain, ceramic and fireclay kitchen sinks are another popular choice for many home owners.

Their non-porous and high gloss finish makes the sinks stain-resistant and fairly easy to keep clean using normal everyday household cleaning products.

However, the hardened surface of a porcelain, ceramic or fireclay sink also means they are susceptible to scratches from metal materials and can be prone to chipping.

And once you have compromised the glazed surface of any kitchen sink, the surrounding area can quickly become discolored.

Pros of keeping a porcelain, ceramic or fireclay kitchen sink clean

• Are highly resistant to harsh cleaning chemicals due to their heavy duty glazed surface.
• They have a smooth, hard and completely sealed surface which prevents dirt, grime and bacteria from sticking to the inside of the kitchen sink bowl.
• When cleaned regularly and properly maintained, these types of kitchen sinks are able to keep their original glossy appearance for years to come.
• Porcelain, ceramic and fireclay kitchen sinks have extremely low water absorption characteristics (making them easy to keep clean on a regular basis).

Cons

• Are susceptible to cracks, scratching and chipping.
• Can easily become stained and discoloured if dirt and grime is not washed off immediately.
• The appearance can fade and dull over time, due to soap scum and water with a high mineral content.

Copper Coated Kitchen Sinks

Copper Coated kitchen sink by Buildmat

Copper coated kitchen sinks have a ‘living finish’, which means the surface color and undertones of a copper sink will change slightly in its appearance over time.

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Farmhouse sinks made from copper are quite popular these days, due to their ability to add a more natural and rustic look to your kitchen.

However, the reactive nature of copper can quickly result in the development of a blue or green patina if the sink is not regularly cleaned or polished to maintain its original colour and appearance.

Pros of keeping a copper kitchen sink clean

• Copper is the first solid metal to be recognized by Environmental Protection Agencies as possessing natural antimicrobial properties that are effective in killing harmful bacteria commonly found living on the surface of a kitchen sink.
• They are highly resistant to rust and corrosion caused by natural elements and everyday use.
• Copper has the ability to develop that highly sought after rustic look to enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen’s design.
• High quality copper coated kitchen sinks are easy to keep clean without the use of harsh chemicals, cleaners, or abrasive brushes.

Cons

• Thin gauge copper coated sinks are prone to dents and scratches caused by sharp and hard materials or objects.
• You have to make sure the surface of your copper coated kitchen sink does not come into prolonged contact with acidic cleaning materials or acidic foods such as lemon juice, pineapple, mustard, etc.
• Copper coated sinks typically require more regular maintenance and specialized care than a traditional kitchen sink would.
• A copper coated sink’s resistance to rust will significantly reduce over time if harsh chemicals are continuously used to clean the sink.

Which Is the Best Low-Maintenance and Easy to Clean Kitchen Sink for Your Home?

A low-maintenance and easy-to-clean kitchen is something we all desire in our homes.

Choosing the right kitchen sink will ultimately save you a lot of time, effort, and money on expensive cleaning supplies when trying to keep your kitchen sink clean on a regular basis.

As far as value for money, durability, and ease of cleaning are concerned, a stainless-steel kitchen sink is going to be your best option for a kitchen sink that is easy to keep clean.

Award Winning Kitchen Sinks by Buildmat

Buildmat is the winner of the international Product Design Award in the 2020 Architecture Masterprize.

And here’s why.

At Buildmat we are constantly updating and improving our product range. Buildmat sinks have a 25 year structural warranty and are made with the highest-quality building materials.

Precision Handmade Kitchen Sinks Designed in Australia

Buildmat kitchen sinks are handmade sinks.

That means we have people actually welding the sink together instead of a machine just pressing on a sheet of metal.

It also means that each corner is carefully crafted and that each wall of the sink is a true 1.5mm thick stainless steel — instead of a sheet of metal being stretched by a large machine press into shape.

Still Need Help Choosing the Easiest Kitchen Sink to Clean?

The team at Buildmat believe in educating our customers and assisting them in their journey to choose the best kitchen sink to suit their needs.

Our main objective is not to supply the cheapest products available on the market, but rather the best value-for-money products to our customers.

Feel free to contact us by email at sales@buildmat.com.au if you have any questions about how to choose the easiest kitchen sink to clean for your home.

Or call us directly on 1300123122 24.

Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens