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Maggie
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| Posted: May 25 2010 at 3:57pm | IP Logged
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Hi Moms~
We just bought a new house. We love it!
However, there are a few things that I am having a hard time cleaning:
1). Deep, white porcelain sink. It shows EVERYTHING. The only thing that I have found that works is comet or soft scrub, but I would prefer a more natural, non-chemical route as these really seem to bother me and give me headaches.
I have tried baking soda and vinegar...but it just doesn't do the job as well as the chemical cleaners. (sigh).
2). Cheap, white counter-tops. We didn't know how bothersome this would be. But we are foodies. We cook. A LOT. If something spills, and I wipe it within seconds, it still leaves a stain. Again, comet works reasonably well, but there are some stains (ie: strawberries, tea, etc) that seemed to have "soaked" in. I don't know what the material is except that it is cheap, basic, and white.  Very very white. And since remodeling our countertops is not an option after purchasing a home...I was wondering if there were some good cleaning tips out there.
Thank you so much!!
Maggie
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Wife to dh (12 years) Mama to dd (10) ds (8), dd (1), ds (nb) and to Philip Mary (5/26/09), Lucy Joy (12/6/09), and Margaret Mary (3/6/10) who entered Heaven before we had a chance to hold them.
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wifemommy
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| Posted: May 25 2010 at 4:49pm | IP Logged
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Mr Clean erasers not more natural but no smell and they work great....they are the only non homemade cleaner I use.  Annie
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Servant2theKing
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| Posted: May 25 2010 at 5:08pm | IP Logged
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Not natural, but you might try bleach on the sink and the counters, let them dry thoroughly, then perhpas try putting a coat of old-fashioned paste car wax on them (I haven't tried this personally, but read somewhere that paste wax is great for tubs and showers, so figure why not kitvchen sinks and counters?). You could also try a couple of those clear glass countersavers in your heaviest traffic areas on the counter...we have them because our counters are cheaply made and chip, stain & damage quite easily. The glass is heatsafe, so we have landing pads on either side of the stove for hot pans and one in the area where we cut, chop and prepare food most! A rubber mat and dishpan in your sink can cut way down on stains as well. Hope you enjoy your new home!
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lovemy4
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| Posted: May 25 2010 at 8:24pm | IP Logged
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Porcelain sink...I feel your pain. I use Cerama Bryte....the stuff for glass stove tops. Not natural but perhaps the smell won't bother as much?
Also I have planned on buying a plastic tub to put in the sink...so the dishes don't leave marks on the porcelain but haven't gotten around to finding one yet that's the right size....let me know if you find one....I have a deep sink too.....
The counters....you may want to try rubbing a little cooking oil over the food stains from vegetables and fruits....I know it works with plastic containers....not sure it will work but might be worth a try.
HTH 
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DS 6 DD 6 DS 4 DS 15 months
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: May 25 2010 at 9:16pm | IP Logged
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Ugh. I feel your pain, too. I gave up on the natural stuff for my porcelain sink...nothing ever worked, or was way too much elbow-grease for me. I use bleach-lysol spray.....seems like it's the only thing that works.
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Suzanne in ID
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Mackfam
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| Posted: May 25 2010 at 11:04pm | IP Logged
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I have to use bleach on the counter stains. I have to use bleach on some sink staining as well. My favorite cleaning agent for the scuff marks from stainless pots is Bar Keepers Friend. I recently discovered Bon Ami and LOVE it!!! Not only is it effective at removing stains and cleaning, but it doesn't have a strong smell and is EFFECTIVE for cleaning my white porcelain sink. It's inexpensive and I can find it at the grocery store.
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Jen Mackintosh
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Wildflowers and Marbles
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Kath
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| Posted: May 26 2010 at 6:03pm | IP Logged
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Bon Ami works well on mine too, but the easiest and fastest way I can clean it is with a Magic Eraser. Love those things!
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Katherine
Mom to ds 8, ds 5, and ds 3
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Ouiz
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| Posted: June 01 2010 at 11:05pm | IP Logged
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I gotta vouch for Bon Ami as well. It's the only thing that takes all those scuff marks out of my white porcelain sink.
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Ouiz
Blessed to be married to the man of my dreams and mom to 8 wonderful children here on earth
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Chez Ouiz
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florasita
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| Posted: June 02 2010 at 9:59pm | IP Logged
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I have had some success with lime juice , borax & vinegar however yep I also have had to use bleach a few times a yr. what about peroxide would it work ? I've never tried it . I know in MX when we lived there people freaked if you would cut limes on the stone counter top because it bleached the stone .
My dh says maybe citric acid would work too .
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Natural "whitening": porcelain sink
