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Crisis in the sink

(33 Posts)
Gabigirl Wed 29-May-24 18:13:27

Please help me fellow GN’s?
Someone has used lime scale spray to clean my aluminium kitchen sink and the spray has left horrible brown marks on the aluminium? Is there any way I can fix/restore this? It sounds mundane but someone’s job is at stake 😪

Gwyllt Tue 04-Jun-24 07:18:40

Viakel works wonders on old brass and copper if you want to take it back to shinny Then a quick rub with brasso
Do it in plastic bowl

Gabigirl Mon 03-Jun-24 19:32:25

I love her too much to actually dismiss her but very unfortunate nonetheless!🫣

MissAdventure Mon 03-Jun-24 15:13:51

FindingNemo15

I also had limescale down my tap and the cleaner did not work, but unfortunately I think I left it on too long and it has dripped down the sides of my stainless steel sink leaving long streaks. Nothing seems to help.

A neighbour has suggested Viakal but have not bought it yet. Anyone else tried this product?

It was Viakel which stripped the chrome off my taps.

Casdon Mon 03-Jun-24 12:01:35

It does make you wonder why they don’t make sink fittings and taps out of stainless steel rather than chrome plating them, doesn’t it?

FindingNemo15 Mon 03-Jun-24 11:54:47

I also had limescale down my tap and the cleaner did not work, but unfortunately I think I left it on too long and it has dripped down the sides of my stainless steel sink leaving long streaks. Nothing seems to help.

A neighbour has suggested Viakal but have not bought it yet. Anyone else tried this product?

dotpocka Mon 03-Jun-24 11:48:20

some are not metal if brown underneath might be plastic

EmilyHarburn Mon 03-Jun-24 11:34:21

Try barkeepers friend. You can get it on Amazon. I use it to get the rust, left by a garden table, off an outdoor floor surface.

Gabigirl Mon 03-Jun-24 10:53:54

Wonderful support group - love you all for rallying with ideas! I will take note of all!! It’s my daughter done the dirty deed so I hope she doesn’t get the sack too!!😉😉😳

NotSpaghetti Sun 02-Jun-24 12:51:55

www.lametals.co.uk/blog/cleaning-aluminium/#:~:text=To%20prepare%20the%20mixture%20for,aluminium%20off%20with%20clean%20water.

Scroll down. Several solutions
🤞

cc Sun 02-Jun-24 12:49:20

4allweknow

Casdon I used to use those oven cleaning bags until I discovered using bio washing powder in a bath. Place your shelves, panels, in a bath add 3 cups of powder and fill until shelves etc are covered making sure powder dissolved. Leave overnight. Drain and rinse. Any stubborn stains can be removed with non scratch pan scourer. I have a self ckeanibg oven and still use this method for just the shelves.

Must give this a try, it's so annoying that the shelves can't stay in for self-cleaning.

cc Sun 02-Jun-24 12:48:20

sorry, should be "spoilt", all thumbs today...

cc Sun 02-Jun-24 12:47:41

SheWho

I use Viakal, and it makes the kitchen smell wonderful afterwards.

But this is also acidic so don't try it on aluminium!!
I've spoild my aluminium baking tray by putting it through my dishwasher, possibly not a lot you can do about it. Probably using wire wood or something else abrasive is the best bet, but I doubt it will ever regain it's former glory.

SheWho Sun 02-Jun-24 12:36:37

I use Viakal, and it makes the kitchen smell wonderful afterwards.

civetcat Sun 02-Jun-24 12:36:09

I agree re Barkeeper's Friend. My aluminium sink was badly stained by sink unblocking chemicals - the plumber said to use wire wool. Barkeeper's Friend worked a treat

Vintagegirl Sun 02-Jun-24 12:18:02

Magic Eraser sponges?

annodomini Sun 02-Jun-24 12:17:38

For bathroom taps and other smaller fittings, I find that a spot of toothpaste works well. Not sure which brand would work best.

4allweknow Sun 02-Jun-24 12:16:45

Casdon I used to use those oven cleaning bags until I discovered using bio washing powder in a bath. Place your shelves, panels, in a bath add 3 cups of powder and fill until shelves etc are covered making sure powder dissolved. Leave overnight. Drain and rinse. Any stubborn stains can be removed with non scratch pan scourer. I have a self ckeanibg oven and still use this method for just the shelves.

Tanjamaltija Sun 02-Jun-24 12:12:40

If the plating has been removed, you will have to re-plate. If it's just staining, I would use Ca-Va Seul. It is not mentioned here, though: byretreat.com/best-cleaner-for-metal/

Lizzies Sun 02-Jun-24 11:43:13

My late husband once used Harpic toilet cleaner to put down the bathroom sink. It took the finish off the pop up plug. He thought it was just bleach.

MissAdventure Thu 30-May-24 17:06:12

It's a conundrum, if you've limescale.
I may try some really fine sandpaper, when I'm feeling brave.

Calendargirl Thu 30-May-24 07:12:51

When we had our bathroom re-furbished, our plumber told me not to use anything that might take the finish off taps, fittings etc.

Hardly dare use anything, despite all the adverts promoting everything.

MissAdventure Wed 29-May-24 21:14:02

It's enough to put you off cleaning.
It has, me smile

Casdon Wed 29-May-24 21:07:36

I put my oven shelves in one of those oven-mate bags to clean the, not realising that although the three shelves looked the same, the one from the warming oven was aluminium whereas the others were stainless steel. They came up great, the aluminium one was white and looked awful. I asked my mum, who used to have shiny aluminium pans, and she used salt and white vinegar to restore them, so I tried that. It did work pretty well, my shelf is much brighter but not perfect.

MissAdventure Wed 29-May-24 21:06:05

smile
I'd do the same, and make some fake verdigris, too, if mine wasn't a new bathroom.

Still, I asked for cheap, and I certainly got it.

Gwyllt Wed 29-May-24 20:48:37

I must be a saddo as I polished it with brasso