Do Those Trendy Farmhouse Kitchen Sinks Chip Or Scratch Too Easily? What To Know
At a glance, it's easy for anyone to assume that a farmhouse kitchen sink is borderline indestructible. The reality, however, is that, yes, a farmhouse sink is prone to chips and scratches. After all, the farmhouse sink is just a style. How much the sink scratches and chips depends on the material it is made from. For instance, fireclay is known to be the strongest option on the market, while porcelain sinks are a bit more delicate.
It's important to know the pros and cons of different materials for your new kitchen sink to make an informed decision. Fortunately, the farmhouse sink style can be moulded from a number of materials, such as the aforementioned fireclay and porcelain, in addition to stainless steel, copper, quartz, stone, and cast iron.
Each material behaves differently. While porcelain will quickly show chips and scratches, stainless steel is rather resistant to chip damage but is hyper prone to scratches, and fireclay is resistant to both. That said, nothing is indestructible, as even fireclay farmhouse sinks will show wear and tear over time if not cared for properly.
Keeping your farmhouse sink nice and pristine
Taking a preventative approach is the best strategy to preserve your farmhouse sink regardless of the material it is made from. Daily use will take its toll, primarily if you're one to use heavy cookware in the kitchen, such as cast iron. A good starting point for taking preventive measures is using a silicone mat. This will add a bit of padding to help absorb the impact of any dropped cookware.
Another thing to consider is your cleaning equipment. A regular sponge is safe in any sink, but a steel scrubber can cause some harm, especially if you opt for a porcelain farmhouse sink. You can take an additional step forward by cleaning your sink after every few uses. Doing so will remove any food left sitting in the basin and prevent grime and grease from building up, making your sink look gross. Moreover, this saves you from having to learn how to disinfect your sink with hydrogen peroxide.
Bear in mind that materials like porcelain can use a bit of caution, as one accidental drop with a heavy pan can easily damage the finish. While materials like stainless steel can work with a scratched look, chips on porcelain are a bit harder to ignore. But with a bit of care, your farmhouse sink will easily stand out as a spectacle in your kitchen. But be careful that you don't hurt your back while cleaning and caring for that farmhouse sink — after all, it's a hidden danger of a deep kitchen sink that you don't want to ignore.