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How to Clean Kitchen Sink the Right Way

With the amount of things that get thrown into your sink, you may be wondering how to clean your kitchen sink properly?! You may think that with the amount of soap and water that runs into your kitchen sink every day, the sink is relatively clean. But that is simply not the case. The rinsing and splashing with dish soap that happens with daily use do nothing to clean your kitchen sink.

Between food particles, stagnant water, and whatever germs wash into the sink from your hands, the kitchen sink might be one of the germiest places in your home! So, how to clean kitchen sink? Check out these tips for cleaning your kitchen sink the right way!

clean sink

How to Clean Your Kitchen Sink Like a Pro

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You just need a few simple tips to clean your kitchen sink like a pro.  Once you follow this method, you’ll have a shining sink each and every day.  We like to make sure our sink is clean before going to bed each night.

1. Give Your Sink a Thorough Rinse

Before you clean your kitchen sink you’ll want to finish off any dishes and then give the sink a thorough rinse. All food, liquids, and debris should be rinsed away before you start cleaning your kitchen sink. After you rinse, clear the drains as well.

Rinsing your sink free of food and debris is a good daily practice even when you don’t have time for a complete cleaning. For stainless steel sinks, acid and salt from food can damage the finish on your sink.

And for other types of sinks, it makes stains harder to clean. Rinsing your sink completely should be part of your nightly dishes routine.

2. Sprinkle Baking Soda All Over the Sink

Now that you’ve rinsed your sink of visible food and debris, sprinkle baking soda in the sink. Don’t hold back, try to cover the entire sink.

You can get canisters of baking soda like this that sprinkle:

Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda Shaker 12 Oz (Pack of 2)

 

Or you can drill some holes in the top of a mason jar.  If you go the mason jar route, consider adding a few drops of your favorite essential oils to your baking soda.  It will give your whole kitchen a great smell.  We like lemon!

3. Squirt Dish Soap on a Clean Sponge or Cloth

Once you have baking soda covering your sink, you are ready to start scrubbing. You can use a small amount of dish soap on your sponge or cloth for easier cleaning. 

Dawn Dish Soap, Original Scent, Pack of 3

We love blue Dawn dish soap for just about everything!

4. Start Scrubbing!

Baking soda is abrasive but not enough to scratch stainless steel or other types of sinks. Scrub your sink from the top down so that you are working your way towards the drain. The best way to clean your kitchen sink is to use a circular motion and scrub out the entire sink.

5. Sanitize

After you’re done scrubbing your kitchen sink clean, you’ll want to sanitize it. Give your freshly scrubbed sink a good rinse to make sure everything you’ve cleaned off gets washed away and down the drain.

Next, soak some paper towels in white vinegar and use them to line your sink. Cover the entire sink and allow the towels and vinegar to sit for about 20 minutes. Vinegar is a natural sanitizer. And can also help remove hard water stains.

image of a digital cleaning planner for sale

6. Clean Faucets

Now that your sink basin is clean and sanitized, don’t forget to clean your faucet and handle. Faucets and sink handles can be cleaned with a mild soapy solution. Dish soap or a surface cleaner and a sponge should work well.

After cleaning your faucets, use a vinegar-soaked cloth to wipe them down and sanitize these often handled surfaces.

If you have faucets with many crevices, it may be helpful to grab an old toothbrush so you can clean the faucets and handles more easily.

clean drain

7. Deodorize the Disposal or Kitchen Drain

A stinky garbage disposal or drain won’t go well with your freshly cleaned kitchen sink. For a disposal, sprinkle about ½ cup of baking soda down your disposal and follow it with a cup of vinegar. The mixture will fizz for a few minutes. For a drain, just use a little less. 

Follow the baking soda and vinegar with hot water for rinsing. This should sanitize and deodorize your drain or disposal.

Tips for cleaning a porcelain sink

If you have a porcelain sink, these specific tips may be helpful for your specific type of sink material.

1. Start with a gentle cleanser like dish soap or castile soap. Avoid using harsh abrasive cleaners as they can damage the porcelain surface.

2. After rinsing off your cleaner, you can use a non-scratch scrubber or sponge to help remove stuck-on debris.

3. Rinse and dry the sink after scrubbing. This will help prevent water spots from forming on the porcelain surface.

4. Make sure to clean surfaces around the sink too, including kitchen sink drain, faucets and handles which can get particularly dirty over time. 

5. For tougher stains, you can make an all-purpose cleaning solution by mixing equal parts of baking soda and vinegar in a bowl before applying it to the sink with a clean cloth or sponge and then rinsing it off with hot water after a few minutes for best results.

Tips for cleaning a stainless steel sink

1. Start by wiping down the surface with a soft cloth, like a microfiber cloth, and warm water. This will help loosen any dirt or debris on the sink’s surface. 

2. If your stainless steel sink is particularly dirty, you can use a mild dish soap mixed with hot water to create a cleaning solution. 

3. Use a non-abrasive scrubber or sponge to gently scrub away dirt and grime without scratching the surface of the sink. 

4. Rinse off the cleaning solution with hot water and then dry thoroughly with a clean cloth, being sure to get into all corners and edges of the sink as well as around the faucet. 

5. For tougher stains, you can make an all-purpose cleaner by mixing one part baking soda and one part vinegar in a bowl before applying it onto the sink and letting it sit for several minutes before rinsing off with hot water. Avoid using harsh chemicals on your stainless steel kitchen sink.

Tips for cleaning a copper sink

1. Start by mixing a mild dish soap with warm water in a bucket and use a soft cloth or soft sponge to scrub away dirt and grime from the copper sink. 

2. Be careful not to use harsh or abrasive materials such as steel wool, scouring pads, or other products that may scratch the surface of the sink. 

3. To help maintain shine of the copper sink, make a paste with equal parts flour, salt, white vinegar, and baking soda before applying it onto the sink and scrubbing with a soft cloth in circular motions. 

4. Rinse off the cleaning solution with warm water before drying thoroughly with a clean cloth. 

5. For tough stains you can make an all-purpose cleaner by mixing one part lemon juice and two parts cream of tartar together into a paste before applying it onto the stain and letting it sit for several minutes before gently scrubbing away and rinsing off with warm water. 

FAQ

How do I clean lime build up off my kitchen sink? 

To clean lime build up off a sink, mix equal parts white vinegar and water into a spray bottle before spritzing it onto the surface of the sink and letting it sit for several minutes. 

After the vinegar solution has had time to break down the lime buildup, scrub away with an abrasive material such as steel wool or scouring pads in a circular motion, followed by a thorough rinse with warm water. 

For an added sparkle and shine, generously sprinkle baking soda onto the surface and scrub with a soft cloth before rinsing again with warm water. 

Regular cleaning will help prevent the build up from getting out of hand. 

How often should I clean my kitchen sink? 

To ensure a healthy kitchen and reduce the amount of cleaning necessary, it is recommended to clean your kitchen sink at least once a week. This will help avoid build-up of dirt and grime that can be difficult to remove and keep your sink looking fresh. Wipe down the inside of the sink after each use with a sponge or cloth dampened with warm water or an all-purpose cleaner. Regular sink cleaning will help prevent dirt from accumulating over time. Additionally, use vinegar periodically to disinfect surfaces for extra protection.

​Pretty much any time we have dirty dishes and the sink gets used, I end up wiping out the sink with some soap and a scrub brush, just so it’s ready fo rthe next round of dishes. Daily cleaning helps keep things under control and doesn’t feel overwhelming. Weekly cleaning helps ensure that we have a safe kitchen for our house. Add this to your weekly cleaning routine and enjoy a nice clean sink. 

What natural products can I use to clean my sink? 

As you can tell, we would rather clean with natural products than a bleach solution or something else that can cause more harm than good. Baking soda is a great natural product that can be used to clean your sink.

Make a paste with baking soda and water and use a sponge or cloth to scrub the interior of the sink with it. The abrasive properties of baking soda will help remove tougher stains from the surface of the sink.

Additionally, you can also use Lemon juice or white vinegar to disinfect the sink, as well as to get rid of hard-water deposits and soap scum. To do this, mix equal parts lemon juice and water or vinegar and water, then apply it using a sponge or cloth. Let it sit for several minutes before rinsing thoroughly with warm water. 

Each of these natural products has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, baking soda is a great cleaner but can scratch the surface if used with too much pressure. Lemon juice is a great disinfectant but can be quite acidic for some surfaces. White vinegar has multiple uses; however, it can have an unpleasant smell that lingers after use. Just be sure to be careful while cleaning with these things. 

We use natural products for cleaning the entire kitchen.

Organized Mom Cleaning Essentials

We’re huge on using the basic cleaning essentials over and over again when it comes to cleaning. Here are some of our favorites to get nearly everything squeaky clean. Baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils are a staple for our cleaning kits!

Arm & Hammer Baking Soda, 12 Pack of 1lb BoxesHeinz Cleaning Vinegar (1 gal Jug)CleanAide Silver Embedded Cleaning Microfiber Towels Ultra Cut 12 X 12 Inches 25 PackEmpty Spray Bottles (16oz/2Pack) - Adjustable Spray Bottles for Cleaning Solutions - No Leak and Clog - HDPE spray bottle For Plants, Pet, Bleach Spray, Vinegar, BBQ, and Rubbing Alcohol.
Lemon Essential Oil100% Pure & Natural Essential OilsTea Tree Essential Oil - 5ml100% Pure & Natural Essential OilsLavender Essential Oil - 5ml100% Pure & Natural Essential OilsMinty Clean100% Pure & Natural Essential Oils

Cleaning--How to Clean Your Kitchen Sink--The Organized Mom

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