How do you keep the vanity sink in good shape?

The best thing that you can do is to keep the sink clean at all times. Wipe it down regularly to prevent soap scum and other buildup. Don’t let stray hairs gather and get swept down the drain—that can create a plumbing nightmare. Use cleaners that are safe for your sink’s surface and try to avoid harsh chemicals and bleach if you can. Regular cleaning can eliminate the need for these types of cleaners, which is better for everyone in your household.

Tips to Care for Your Bathroom Vanity

Q: How do you maintain stone countertops?

Clean up all spills immediately to prevent stains. If they do occur, use a poultice paste and cover the area for 12-24 hours. You can reapply the paste a second time for stubborn stains if necessary. Make sure to wipe the area clean after the stain is removed.

The bathroom vanity is one of the most used elements in the entire space. Keeping it clean and in good shape is essential. In addition to making it usable, this also guarantees that your bathroom vanity will last for many years, or at least until you decide to redecorate. There are a lot of parts to the average vanity, so learning how to care for each component will ensure that your vanity always looks its best.

59 Inch Double Sink Bathroom Vanity in Whitewashed Walnut with Electrical Component

Table of Contents

How do you maintain the bathroom vanity cabinet?
How do you keep the bathroom sink in good shape?
How do you maintain stone countertops?
What cleaners can I use on my bathroom vanity?
What can you do to protect the bathroom vanity from moisture?
The Bottom Line
Resources

How do you maintain the bathroom vanity cabinet?

Maintaining the vanity cabinet isn’t that difficult as long as the plumbing in your bathroom is solid and there are few moisture issues. If you have a large bathroom vanity, keeping it clean may take a little more time and attention. However, these tips will work for any vanity:

Start by wiping it down regularly with a cloth or paper towel.
Clean up any spills/messes right away (such as errant toothpaste that got away or that splash-back from the shower).
Keep the drawer tracks (if you have them) and doors clear of items. This will ensure that they don’t get damaged.
Wipe down inside the drawers and cabinets regularly.
Check for unseen leaks under the sink while cleaning.

If the vanity cabinet becomes worn or starts to show signs of age or water damage, it may need to be stripped down and repainted or re-stained and then sealed again.

89 Inch Double Sink Bathroom Vanity with Offset Sinks

How do you keep the bathroom sink in good shape?

The best thing you can do is keep the sink clean at all times. Wipe it down regularly to prevent soap scum and other buildup. Don’t let stray hairs gather and get swept down the drain—that can create a plumbing nightmare. Use safe cleaners for your sink’s surface, and try to avoid harsh chemicals and bleach if you can. Regular cleaning can eliminate the need for these types of cleaners, which is better for everyone in your household.

60 Inch Double Sink Bathroom Vanity in Driftwood Finish

How do you maintain stone countertops?

Natural stone countertops come with their maintenance concerns. Stone is beautiful, but it requires certain care. Here’s what you need to know about the most common types of natural stone used in bathrooms and how to care for each type.

Marble

Marble is a high-end, beautiful stone. It’s a great bathroom option because people can afford it, even on a budget. That’s because a vanity counter is only so big—allowing marble to be a great choice. Marble is delicate and can become etched and stained over the years. Regular cleaning can prevent this. A damp cloth or sponge and non-abrasive cleaner will do the job.

Clean up all spills immediately to prevent stains. If they occur, use a poultice paste and cover the area for 12-24 hours. You can reapply the paste a second time for stubborn stains if necessary. Make sure to wipe the area clean after the stain is removed.

Granite

Granite is loved because it is durable and comes in several colors and designs. They’re also unique counters just because of the nature of the stone. Its antibacterial properties and sealed finish make it a great choice for the bathroom. You should use a simple soap and water mixture to clean the counter.

For stains, mix baking soda and peroxide to create a paste. Then, put that over the stain and let it dry. It should remove the stain, but then the area must be resealed to ensure future stains don’t occur.

Quartz

Quartz is an engineered stone, which means it’s very durable and well-suited for use as a bathroom vanity material. Again, you can just clean it with soap and water regularly or a simple antibacterial cleaner. If there’s dirt buildup, scrape it off gently with a plastic knife.

There are commercial stain removers for quartz counters. You should consult your vanity provider if you aren’t sure which products to use to keep your quartz vanity counter clean.

95 Inch Modern Double Bathroom Vanity with White Marble

What cleaners can I use on my bathroom vanity?

Depending on the part of your vanity that needs to be cleaned, you have a few different options. You can use a multi-purpose bathroom cleaner that is safe for all surfaces to minimize your cleaning product supply. You can also find cleaners for stone counters and special cleaning products for your sink to keep the mold and mildew buildup at bay.

Although they’re quite effective at removing the gross in showers and toilets, we don’t recommend abrasive cleaners for vanity cabinets made of wood or wood-like materials or for natural stone counters. The cleaners can cause damage to certain surfaces, so proceed with caution.

30 Inch Single Sink Bathroom Vanity in Distressed White

What can you do to protect the bathroom vanity from moisture?

Usually, the countertop materials used in the bathroom are moisture-resistant by nature. The cabinet itself, however, may not be. Unfinished wood or MDF, for example, would be very susceptible to moisture damage. However, if you paint or stain the vanity and seal it with a waterproof coating, you can add years of protection from all kinds of moisture, humidity, and potential water damage.

There are sealants for countertops and backsplashes and vanity medicine cabinets made of similar materials as the lower vanity cabinet. It’s also a good idea to install a high-powered vent fan in the bathroom to draw out moisture during shower and bath use.

48 Inch Single Sink Bathroom Vanity Set with Matching Mirror

The Bottom Line

As you can see, bathroom vanity care isn’t as difficult as you might have anticipated. And, with a little regular cleaning and attention, vanities can provide you with years of enjoyment. Most people who take proper care of their vanities usually change them for the sake of style long before they lose any function or become damaged with age.

Ensure you learn how to care for your specific vanity to enjoy years of use and avoid issues with mold, mildew, damage, and other moisture problems.

My name is Julia Ritzenthaler, Founder and President of Unique Vanities, started in 2005. I started this business as an extension of our residential remodeling business, which focused on the design and build of custom cabinetry and architectural trim. I also worked as a financial advisor for 10 years at Ameriprise Financial, helping clients make sound money decisions, including budgeting for home improvement expenses. This expertise led me to start Unique Vanities, which offers a handpicked selection of high quality bathroom vanities, sinks, mirrors and more. You can find me most days sitting in Starbucks, my second office, or in my car driving my daughter across Dallas to gymnastics training.