Clean a Kitchen Sink

Kitchen sinks are one of the most-used items in your home. Throughout the day, a typical sink holds dirty dishes, leftover food, and standing rinsing water. As a result, waste can accumulate in and on the surface of your sink every day, which can cause stains, odor, and make it a haven for germs. By learning how to clean a kitchen sink properly, you can eliminate these problems and the hazards they pose to you and your family.

Steps

  1. Remove all dirty dishes and any leftover food from your sink. There should be nothing in it as you begin scrubbing your sink.
  2. Wash down the entire surface area of your sink. Use a gentle soap, soft cloth, and warm water to clean the faucets, drain, and outer rim. Do this every time you use the sink, which includes after preparing meals or washing dishes.
  3. Run hot tap water into the drain. This will help eliminate bad odor and soften any gooey materials that may be lurking in the drain. Be sure to wet down the entire sink through this process. Do this several times a week.
  4. Pour 1 tsp. (5 ml) of baking soda and 1/4 cup (60 ml) of lemon juice over the surface of your sink, and in particular down the drain, at least once a week. Let this mixture stand for approximately 10 minutes. Use hot water to rinse away any leftover residue.
  5. Mix together 1/2 cup (120 ml) of baking soda, 1/4 (60 ml) cup of lemon juice, and pour the solution directly into your sink drain. Once the mixture is in the drain, pour down 1/2 (120 ml) cup of white vinegar. Use the combination of these ingredients once a week to help break up stubborn clogs and sanitize the drain.
  6. Rinse your kitchen sink thoroughly with hot water after all cleaning routines.

Tips

  • If you have a stainless steel sink, use an SOS pad with the baking soda and lemon mixture to scrub in small circles. The SOS pad will help restore shine to the sink, and aid in the cleaning process.
  • Cleaning a kitchen sink properly takes regular maintenance. As a general rule, you should clear and wipe down your sink daily with soap and water. If you notice spots or stains, use an old toothbrush, soap, and water, and gently rub the area in small circles.
  • You need to clean it gently because if you scrub it hard your arms get tired.
  • If the baking soda and lemon mixture doesn't clean the sink well enough for you, pour the mixture on a soft sponge and gently scrub your sink. This will help with stains that are particularly stubborn or have very strong odors.
  • If you don't have lemon juice, or desire an extra-fresh smell, use a whole lemon instead. Cut the lemon in half, and squeeze the juice down the drain and around the surface of your sink.

Warnings

  • Do not allow the baking soda and vinegar to mix before pouring them down the drain. It is important that the chemical reaction takes place in the sink to work effectively.
  • Never pour fatty cooking liquids down your sink drain. These start as a liquid, because they are hot, but end as a solid mass once they cool down. Pouring hot grease or chicken fat in your sink can clog the drain and cause serious damage to the pipes.
  • Never allow lemon juice to sit on the surface of an enameled sink for longer than 10 minutes at a time. The acidic nature of the juice will erode the enamel if left on too long.

Things You'll Need

  • Water
  • Gentle soap
  • Soft cloth
  • Old toothbrush
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Baking soda
  • Whole lemon or lemon juice
  • White vinegar
  • Abrasive cleaning pad

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