How To Clean Kitchen Sink (Incl. Helpful Tips)
Among the other areas in our house, our kitchen gets the most attention.
Kitchen sinks, for example, are among the most frequently used items in our kitchen.
Thus, it is unsurprising that sinks are among the dirtiest functional items in the kitchen.
Some bacteria in the sink can cause potentially fatal illnesses.
So, if the kitchen drain is not cleaned regularly, food and grime will accumulate.
And if we leave it unclean for an extended period of time, it will most likely endanger our family’s health.
Give your kitchen sink and drain some love with our how to clean the kitchen sink guide.
Incorporate our cleaning tips into your weekly cleaning routine to keep your sink clean.
Simple and Effective Kitchen Cleaning Tips
When it comes to kitchen sink materials, we fully understand that every homeowner has a unique set of kitchen sinks.
However, the golden rule for all sink types is to keep the basin shimmering clean regularly.
First, gather all your cleaning supplies such as:
- Rubber gloves
- Scrubber (non-abrasive) or old toothbrush
- Dish soap
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Lemon
- Flour
- Salt (for porcelain sink)
Take note that kitchen sink cleaning differs depending on the material.
So use the kitchen sink cleaning method that works best for you.
Here are the following kitchen sink cleaning tips for all types that we have prepared for you.
How to Clean a Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink
First, remove any dirty dishes and leftover food from your sink.
Before you begin scrubbing your sink, make sure there is nothing in it.
After that, relocate your drain stopper as well as the sponge holder.
Then, clean any items that you keep in or around the sink to get a more thorough cleaning.
1. Clean the entire surface of your sink
First, make sure to remove any food, coffee mugs, or dish racks.
Then, give your sink a quick pre-rinse to wash-off any visible crumbs.
Next, get ready to scrub using the rubber gloves!
Wash the faucets, drain, and the sink’s outer rim with a gentle soap and rinse with warm water.
This should be done after every use of the sink, including cooking and dishwashing.
2. Pour hot tap water down the drain
Hot water can effectively eliminate bad odors and soften any gooey materials that could clog the drain.
Also, to help loosen any caked-on gunk, pour a boiling pot of hat water down the drain.
Do this method a few times per week or weekly.
3. Create a cleaning solution for the kitchen sink’s surface
Apply this cleaning solution to the kitchen sink’s surface.
The majority of these ingredients are common household items like baking soda and lemon juice.
Here’s how you put them together:
- Pour 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/4 cup of lemon juice on the surface of your kitchen sink
- Leave the mixture for about 10 minutes before rinsing the surface with hot water
Use this cleaning solution on your sink at least once a week.
And don’t forget to sprinkle a baking soda on the cracks and hard-to-reach areas of the sink.
Baking soda is an all-natural cleaner that dissolves dirt and grease.
Allow the baking soda to sit on your faucet and handles for at least 5 minutes.
Then, scrub it with a toothbrush.
4. Create a stronger cleaning solution for the drain
The cleaning solution’s reaction will help break up gunk and sanitize the drain.
While the hot water is rinsing the gunk away.
Here’s how to make a more powerful cleaning solution for the sink’s drain.
- Combine 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of lemon juice
- Then, pour this solution, followed by 1/2 cup white vinegar, directly down the drain.
- After that, cover and set it aside for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat some water and pour it down the drain
5. Finally, dry the stainless sink completely
Sprinkle the kitchen sink’s surface with ¼ cup of flour.
Using a fresh cleaning towel, buff the sink in a circular motion.
Then, remove any excess flour and discard accordingly.
Repeat the process as needed to achieve a gleaming sink.
How to Clean a Porcelain Kitchen Sink
Rust and stains can occur in either a stainless steel or porcelain sink.
You can clean a porcelain sink using the same method as a stainless steel sink.
However, some parts of it may need to be adjusted.
Here are some additional method in cleaning a porcelain sink.
1. Sanitize the porcelain sink
First, use a gentle soap and warm water to clean the surface.
Alternatively, you can use a vinegar to disinfect the sink over a harmful bleach.
2. Getting rid of rust
Sprinkle the salt on a half-lemon and scrub it directly on the rust until it’s gone.
Next, wash it with warm, soapy water.
Then, dry it with a microfiber cloth.
3. Sprinkle the sink with hydrogen peroxide
Cover the surface completely and let it sit for 15 minutes to a few hours.
Leaving it for a period of time will remove more stains.
Then, wash it with warm water.
If the stain is still present, simply give it a good scrub and rinse accordingly.
4. Apply lemon juice and salt
Sprinkle a small amount of salt on the remaining visible stains.
Then, pour enough lemon juice to cover the salt pile.
Then, wait at least 5 minutes before scrubbing.
Avoid using too much force when scrubbing the sink.
5. Polish the sink with oil
Using 3 to 4 drops of lemon oil, wipe it around the sink using a dry cloth.
If necessary, add more lemon oil drops.
But do it a few drops at a time.
Aside from smelling nice, the oil prevents soap from resting on the surface.
This method makes future cleanup much easier.
Takeaway
Dishes piling up is a predictable occurrence for homeowners who own a dishwasher.
Therefore, make it a habit to wash the dishes on a regular basis to keep your sink clean.
Dirty dishes can rapidly spread harmful bacteria.
However, if you can’t keep up with your dirty dishes, soak them.
But try to limit it to an overnight soak.
Find more useful guides and how to’s on MaidFeed.com, your everyday cleaning guide.
