Stone resin bathroom basins need special maintenance to ensure they remain a timeless centrepiece in your bathroom. Routine cleaning and preventative measures can help preserve your stone resin basin and enhance its longevity.
In this guide, we delve into the intricacies of caring for stone resin bathroom basins. We’ll cover the tools you need to maintain them, what stone resin is, and what to avoid when cleaning and maintaining your basin.
Table of contents:
- What is stone resin?
- Cleaning your stone resin sink
- Protecting and repairing stone resin basins
- Final thoughts
What is stone resin?
Stone resin is made from stone particles, acrylic resin, pigments, and marble dust to produce a non-porous material. This material can be cast into different shapes, with the flexibility allowing basins to be cast with sleek angles and a smooth finish.
This process also makes for a lighter material, which is durable with anti-mildew and anti-bacterial properties.
Stone resin finish
A stone resin finish can be matt or gloss. Naturally, the basin has a matt/satin white look but adding a gel coating process during manufacture will result in a glossy look.
The precise method of manufacture allows for a flawless finish, with more options in shape and sleek appearance compared to ceramic basins.
Cleaning your stone resin sink
Manufacturers recommend that stone resin basins must be cleaned regularly with warm, soapy water and any residue water wiped away after use. This is especially necessary if you live in a hard-water area. Otherwise, calcium deposits from the limescale in the water will form in the basin, leading to hard water staining, particularly around the waste.
Protecting and repairing stone resin basins
Your basin may get marked, stained, or scratched. However, unlike ceramic basins, stone resin basins can be repaired and rejuvenated.
To remove minor marks from the basin initially, we suggest a cream cleaner such as CIF or AJAX but please follow the instructions for your chosen cleaner before proceeding.
For more stubborn marks and scratches, try the wet/dry polishing pad, which is supplied with a majority of stone resin basins, or wet/dry fine sandpaper. Here are some brief steps for the process:
- Make sure the surface is damp and use a soft sponge (not the hard side!) to lightly rub the basin’s surface. Make sure you don’t press too hard! Pressure could cause more scratches to appear.
- Use a pad in different directions and rinse the pad as you are doing this to remove any residue that has accumulated on the sponge.
- Check to see that the scratch is removed before using clean water to rinse and dry the surface.
- Once dried, check that the area you are treating blends in with the rest of the basin and then, if desired, reseal with a stone sealer.
Antibacterial soaps
Over recent years, with the increased use of anti-bac soaps, we have noticed that some soap brands are now advising not to use them with stone or stone resin basins. This is because these types of soap have a high alcohol level which can have a detrimental effect on stone and chrome. If you do use anti-bac in the bathroom, make sure the basin as well as taps and waste plugs are swilled and dried after use. Always check the label on the soaps, as some state not to be used on stone basins.
Other products
To keep your basin in tip-top condition, here is a list of don’ts for your stone resin basin.
Do not:
- Use concentrated bleach
- Use tar-based shampoo
- Spill hair dyes or similar colour products
- Pour red wine into the sink
- Use Cillit Bang Limescale remover or similar products
- Scrub with wire brushes or wire pads
- Pour drain cleaning or unblocking products
- Clean with ammonia or spray cleaner
Final thoughts
In conclusion, caring for stone resin bathroom basins is essential for maintaining their beauty and functionality over time. By following the simple yet effective tips outlined in this article, you can ensure that your basin remains in pristine condition for years to come.
With proper maintenance, your stone resin basin will continue to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your bathroom while serving its purpose flawlessly. Invest the time and effort into caring for your basin, and you’ll enjoy its durability and elegance for many years ahead.
Don’t forget to head over to our handy guide on how to care for chrome bathroom fittings.