Cleaning Guides

How to Clean a Kitchen Sink

When we go on a kitchen cleaning spree, we can often miss some key areas. One such spot is the kitchen sink. It constantly comes in contact with food waste and dirty dishes. Add to that the moisture and heat, and it makes for the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. So, it’s safe to say a clean sink is an essential part of any kitchen.

Cleaning kitchen sinks is important, and yet often overlooked.

Different sink materials require different cleaning methods. So, to help you out, in this post, we will go over how to clean your kitchen sink and make it shine.

Table of Contents:

So, if you have ever:

  • Left your sink dirty for too long and wanted to do a deep clean;
  • Wondered how to clean a specific type of sink;
  • Wanted to know how to clean a kitchen sink tap,

Then keep reading! This post has all the cleaning tips you need.

No matter what type of sink you have, always begin cleaning by removing any dirty or clean dishes from the basin. Make sure there are no leftover food particles in the sink, too – wipe up any deposits with paper towels. Make sure to clean your sink regularly as part of a kitchen cleaning checklist. The more you do it, the less work it is in the long run!

How to clean a stainless steel sink

Cleaning a stainless steel sink is easy! Just remember – don’t use anything that could scratch the steel, such as a scourer or a harsh brush. A soft cloth or sponge works best in this case. You can also use a soft, old toothbrush for smaller areas.

Here’s how to clean a stainless steel kitchen sink:

Time needed: 45 minutes.

  1. Wash the sink basin.

    Begin by washing the stainless steel kitchen sink with some dishwashing liquid, water, and a soft sponge or cloth. Start from the sides and work your way down to the bottom of the basin.

  2. Clean the drain.

    You can use hot tap water or put the kettle on. Pour the hot water down the drain. This will loosen any build-ups and get rid of bad smells inside the drain. Just make sure not to use boiling water as that can damage the pipes.

  3. Wipe the sink down.

    Dry the basin with a clean cloth.

  4. Remove stains with baking soda and lemon juice.

    For stubborn spots, make a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice. Buff the sink with a clean cloth in a circular motion, focusing on the stained areas. Rinse the basin.

  5. Create a vinegar cleaning solution.

    Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle.

  6. Spray the sink with the mixture.

    Spray the vinegar mixture on, making sure to cover the sink completely.

  7. Dry.

    Give the basin one final wipe with a soft, dry cloth to make the sink shine and avoid water spots.

If your drain is clogged and your sink has standing water in it, you’ll want to take care of that first. Take a look at our helpful blog post on unclogging a sink drain.

How to clean a ceramic sink

Ceramic sinks require a slightly different approach than stainless steel ones. So, here is what to do:

  1. Wet the basin.
    Start by wetting the entire sink slightly with a damp cloth. Go over all the sides and the bottom of the basin.
  2. Clean the kitchen sink drain.
    Again, pour hot, but not boiling water down the drain to loosen up any build-ups.
  3. Remove stains with baking soda.
    Sprinkle baking soda all over the sink basin, coating it fully.
  4. Scrub with a damp sponge.
    Using a damp sponge or cloth, start scrubbing the sink in a circular motion, focusing more on the heavily stained areas.
  5. Rinse the sink.
    When the stains have disappeared, rinse the sink basin with warm water.
  6. Pour lemon juice.
    To naturally whiten your ceramic sink, squeeze a few lemons. Coat the sides and bottom of the sink with the lemon juice. Let it sit for 30 minutes.
  7. Wash again.
    Once more, wash off the leftover lemon juice.
  8. Dry.
    Dry the sink with a clean, dry cloth.

How to clean a porcelain kitchen sink

Cleaning a porcelain sink can be done using the same method as ceramic ones, with the addition of salt. Just remember to use non-abrasive sponges or cloths to avoid scratching the kitchen sink and ruining the finish. For deeper cleaning, follow these steps:

  1. Wash the basin.
    Begin by washing the porcelain sink with a little dish soap and water.
  2. Clean the drain.
    You know the drill – pour hot water down the drain.
  3. Spray with hydrogen peroxide.
    This is a bleaching agent, so wear protective gloves and be careful. Spray the surface of the sink with hydrogen peroxide and let the mixture sit for a few minutes (15-30 min should be enough). Rinse away with water.
  4. Remove stains with baking soda.
    Mix baking soda with some warm water to form a paste. Scrub away the spots using this solution.
  5. Finish up with salt and lemon juice.
    If they prove too stubborn, sprinkle salt over the spots. Pour some lemon juice over the salt and scrub gently with a cloth. Rinse with water.
  6. Dry.
    Once again, dry the sink with a cloth.
You may also like:
Cleaning Guides
The Fantastic Kitchen Cleaning Checklist

How to clean an aluminium kitchen sink

To clean an aluminium sink, you can use methods similar to cleaning a stainless steel one.

  1. Create a cleaning paste.
    Mix some baking soda and water to form a paste.
  2. Scrub the sink.
    Spread the mixture over the entire surface of the sink and scrub gently in circular motions.
  3. Rinse.
    Wash away the leftover paste with warm water.
  4. Clean the kitchen drain.
    Pour some hot water in the drain.
  5. Make the sink shine.
    To prevent water spots and give the sink a shiny finish, rinse it with white vinegar and buff with a soft sponge or cloth.
  6. Dry.
    Dry the basin with a clean, dry cloth.

How to clean a granite composite kitchen sink

For granite sinks, regular upkeep is key. It’s always better to perform light cleaning often instead of heavy cleaning once in a blue moon. Avoid using any bleaching agents, spray cleaners or descaling solutions, as they can ruin the finish and colour.

  1. Wash away food deposits.
    Wash the sink basin with water and some mild dish soap, using a soft cloth. Remove any food debris with a paper towel.
  2. Clean the drain.
    Again, pour some hot water down the kitchen sink drain.
  3. Remove spotswith white vinegar.
    Use a solution of equal parts white vinegar and warm water to remove limescale and spots. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.
  4. Dry.
    Dry the basin completely with a clean cloth.

How to clean taps

Cleaning the faucet is just as important as washing the rest of the sink. All you need is some soapy water and white vinegar.

  1. Create a cleaning solution.
    Mix some water and dish soap in a bowl, combining them well.
  2. Wipe the faucets.
    Thoroughly scrub the taps with the soapy water, using a sponge or cloth.
  3. Shine the faucet with vinegar.
    Dampen a soft cloth with white vinegar and buff the faucets until they shine.
  4. Dry.
    To avoid water spots, thoroughly dry with a clean, dry cloth.

Does all this sound like too much work?

If you don’t have the time and energy to clean your kitchen sink, or if you simply want to spend your time elsewhere, why not let the professionals help? Fantastic Services offers reliable home and office cleaning services, and the experts we work with will be happy to take care of your kitchen for you. With guaranteed results, you can sit back and relax while the cleaners make sure your sink, or your entire home, is sparkling clean.

Booking is easy! Simply use our online form to choose a date and time that suits your schedule.

Save time to do the things you enjoy – let Fantastic Services handle the hard work!

Need a Cleaner?

Find a professional to take care of your sink.

Add a valid postcode e.g. SE1 2TH

Takeaways

  • Avoid using harsh brushes and scourers that can scratch the surface of your sink.
  • Baking soda is a great way to remove stubborn stains from kitchen sinks.
  • White vinegar can help disinfect your sink, make it shine and remove limescale.
  • You may require a different approach to cleaning, depending on your sink type.
  • Avoid using cleaning products that contain bleach on granite composite sinks.
  • If you don’t have time to clean your kitchen sink, you can always turn to the professionals.

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Did you find our cleaning tips useful? Did you manage to make your kitchen sink sparkle again? Share with us in the comments below!

Image source: shutterstock / Andrey_Popov

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