White Haze On Granite Composite Sinks
White Haze on Granite Composite Sinks
What happened to my sink, and why is it turning a milky white color? Follow along, and I'll explain the four most common variations of a white haze, how to fix it, and how to prevent the cloudy look from returning.
When composite granite sinks are new, they include a durable factory finish and vibrant colors. Over time, it is more common to notice a white or chalky haze appearance with contrasting dark-colored sinks: black, brown, and gray. Let's identify the cause and options you might have to remove, prevent, or possibly repair.
Cause
There are four types of white haze commonly found in/on composite sinks:
- Cleaning Issues
- Abrasive Damage
- Chemical Damage
- Heat Damage
Cleaning Issues:
pH-Neutral Cleaners Can't Remove Mineral Deposits or Soap Scum
Before we go too far down the rabbit hole, it is essential to know the following:
- pH-neutral cleaning solutions cannot remove mineral deposits: calcium, magnesium, lime, rust, or soap scum.
- Stone cleaners and dish soaps that are safe to use on calcareous stones, marble, travertine, limestone, and onyx are all pH neutral.
Cleaning soap scum and mineral deposits (such as calcium, magnesium, and soap scum) can be confusing and often transitions into the problematic white haze on composite sinks.
Hard Water Mineral Deposits (Calcium, Magnesium, Lime)
Hard water has a high level of minerals: calcium, magnesium, or lime. Unless you wipe your sink out or wipe it dry after each use, the water evaporates, leaving these solids behind, bonding to the sink. These solids are mineral deposits, commonly known as "water spots and watermarks." If mineral deposits are left untreated, they spread and form into crustaceans. In order to safely remove/clean mineral deposits and soap scum without causing damage, specific types of cleaning solutions, techniques, or prevention are required.
Soap Scum Buildup
If a sink is washed with dish soap but not thoroughly rinsed, the soap residue, water, and minerals combine. As the water evaporates, the solids left behind start to harden and stick to the surface. This process is commonly called soap scum buildup. To safely remove/clean soap scum without causing damage, specific types of cleaning solutions, techniques, or prevention are required.
Abrasive and Non-scratch Pads
Non-abrasive pads sometimes have texture. Even though some cleaning pads with texture are considered "non-scratch," they can progressively cause superficial damage by breaking down the protective factory coating.
* If your sink looks better wet or with oil on it, consider restoring the color (See Helpful links below).
Chemical Damage
When a composite sink is new, it is resistant to many types of cleaning solutions. However, if the protective coating gets broken down, a barkeeper's friend or a common calcium lime and rust remover can easily damage composite sinks beyond repair. Harsh chemicals, such as oven cleaners, toilet cleaners, and paint thinners, will leave a white blemish that cannot be repaired. However, if your sink looks better wet or with oil on it, consider restoring the color (See Helpful links below).
Heat
Damage caused by excessive heat appears in two ways: white blemishes and cracks commonly found around the drain. In both cases, the sink most likely cannot be repaired or restored back to a quality condition. However, if your sink looks better wet or with oil on it, consider restoring the color (See Helpful links below).
Helpful Links:
- Tom Munro
