How to remove white stains from new concrete sink?

[aldudeau]

Hi there,

Did a small facelift on the bathroom the other day, including installing a new concrete sink, a Mondella one, from Bunnings. Looks great but I after running some hot water for the first time, white stains appeared on the sink. It’s not silicone or some other product that could have stripped the finish or left residue (I was extremely careful, wearing gloves, etc.). The stains go away when soaked with vinegar, or generally when they become wet, but return when the sink goes dry.

As far as I can tell there were no instructions to seal the sink with anything before installing, nor does this happen to other areas of the sink where there is water. 

Wondering if anyone has any ideas to solve this. Is it a defect? Picture attached.

Thanks!

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @aldudeau.

I'll need to contact Mondella to determine the issue here. In the interim, please refrain from using any cleaning products on the area. Although vinegar is often mentioned on the internet for cleaning stains, it's also quite an acidic product, and you could do more harm than good by etching the surface. I certainly wouldn't attempt to use full-strength vinegar on most surfaces as it will damage many of them. 

I'll let you know when I have more information.

Mitchell
 

[aldudeau]

Thanks Mitchell. I used only diluted vinegar on a small tester spot so no further damage there.

Cheers,

Alex

[MitchellMc]

Hi @aldudeau,

I've contacted Mondella, and they'd like to run you through a few instructions to determine whether this might be a case of hard water stains (which means you'd need to wipe the bowl down and not leave water sitting on it) or whether it's a product defect. I've forwarded details to your email address to put you in contact with the Mondella warranty claim team. If this is a case of a faulty product, I'd be happy to facilitate the return for you. 

Please let me know how you go.

Mitchell

[dixielea]

Hi Mitchell,

I have a similar problem.

I recently had Mondella Concrete sink installed, I washed a jumper with Earth Choice Wool and Delicates wash in it.  It now has a bleach like effect on the bottom and up to around an inch on the side.  Pretty sure there isn't any bleach in this product and I can't find any instructions that the sink required sealing before use.  Help, how do I remove this?

[JacobZ]

Hi @dixielea,

Thank you for your question and welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

Similar to the advice @MitchellMc has given earlier, you'll have to allow us to get in touch with Mondella when they reopen on Monday.

Please bear with us, we will get back to you shortly.

Jacob

[MitchellMc]

Hi @dixielea,

I'm so sorry to hear you've had an issue with your Mondella sink bowl.

I've emailed you details on Mondella's warranty claim process. They can assist you with troubleshooting and, if the product is defective, with a replacement.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell