Since kitchens are a major hangout room in our homes our kitchen sink gets a lot of use. It may be a surprise to learn, but sinks are one of the most used items in the home. You use it several times a day. It’s where you start prepping your food. You wash your dishes, pots, and pans there. Some people even water their plants in the sink.
People often think their sinks are clean. After all, water and soap run through it every day. You might even give it a quick scrub after washing dishes. The shocking truth is that the sink can be a breeding place for germs. The NHS revealed that a sink could contain 100,000 times more germs than a toilet or bathroom. For this reason alone you should always keep your sink clean.
The question now is how to clean the sink like an experienced cleaning pro would do. Here are the steps you can take:
Prepare What You Need
Cleaning is faster when you have all you need at hand. Make sure you have the following before you start working on your sink –
- Baking soda
- Dishwashing soap
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Lemon
- Salt
- Scrubber (choose a non-abrasive one)
- Rubber gloves
- White vinegar
It’s a good idea to store all these items in one place underneath your sink. You can quickly grab them whenever you’re ready to clean the sink. It saves time and will let you finish the job faster.
Clear the Sink
Make sure your sink is clear of dirty dishes and food items. Take out the drying rack and dish organizer. Transfer plants and decors to the table or window sill. You want to free up the space so you clean the area well.
Clean the Sink Basin
Put on your gloves. Give the sink a quick pre-rinse to rinse down any visible food particles or dirt. For a thorough result, the next step is to scrub it clean by using a circular motion. Keep in mind, how you clean the sink will depend on its material.
- Stainless Steel Sink: This tough material doesn’t rust and it stands up well against stains. But bleach and abrasive scrubbers can affect its finish. So does acidic food. Make sure you don’t let acidic food sit in the sink for an extended period of time. Avoid using bleach-based cleaning sprays.
- Wet the sink and coat it with baking soda. Add a small amount of dishwashing soap and warm water to your sponge.
- Start scrubbing the side of the sink. Work your way down. Push any dirt or grime towards the drain.
- Keep adding soap and water to the basin surface as needed.
- Rinse with clean water.
- Wipe the sink dry with a microfiber cloth. This will remove any remaining water spots.
- White Kitchen Sink: You need to pay special attention to this type of sink. It’s susceptible to coffee and wine stains. It shows food splatters and is prone to rust.
- Pat the sink down with a wet cloth. The surface must be a bit damp.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the basin until it’s covered. Sprinkle some hydrogen peroxide over the soda.
- Scrub with a brush or sponge. Rinse until the baking soda mix washes down the drain.
- Porcelain Sink. This old-fashioned but popular material is also prone to stains and rust. You can clean it the same way you do with a white sink. But you need a lemon to remove rust from a porcelain sink. Cut the fruit in half and sprinkle salt on it. Scrub the lemon and salt on the rust until it disintegrates. Wash it off with a water and soap mix.Dry with a microfiber cloth.
It’s Time to Sanitize
You should also try to sanitize the sink after you’re done cleaning it. One of the best ways to do this is to soak paper towels in white vinegar. Line these towels around your sink. Make sure you cover everything. Let it sit for around 20 minutes. Remove the towels and dispose of them. Wipe down the surface with a clean cloth.
Wipe Handles and Faucets
A simple soap and water mixture is enough to clean the faucets and handles. Use an old toothbrush or sponge to scrub in the crevices and hard-to-reach areas. Don’t forget to brush clean the sink strainer too and spray the nozzle.
Clear the Drain
Does something smell off in your kitchen? It might be the drain. Every maid service knows a little baking soda and white vinegar will unclog drains. They also clear bad odors. Start by pouring half a cup of baking soda down the drain. Then pour one cup of white vinegar. You’ll soon see the mixture bubbling out of the drain. Wait for about 15 minutes. Pour hot water down the drain to wash away the residue.
Do you use your garbage disposal a lot? You can get it clean and smell good too. First, fill it with ice cubes, lemon wedges, and salt. Run cold water and turn the disposal on. Keep it on until the ice disappears. The salt will scrub the blades clean. The purpose of the ice is to remove any grime or gunk while the lemon will keep things smelling fresh.
Keep Your Tools Clean
Your dish sponge is often as dirty as your kitchen sink. It might even be dirtier. If your sponge starts to smell, throw it away immediately. Make sure you also scrub clean the dish brush and sponge holder.
Enjoy a Sparkling Clean Home
Don’t let a busy schedule stop you from having a clean and beautiful home. A reliable cleaning service company like PCT Clean will help keep your home in tip top shape. We are one of Georgia’s best cleaning companies. Our prestigious cleaning team can do home and office cleaning based on your schedule. We also offer deep disinfecting and maid services. All the cleaning products we use are safe and effective. You can reach us at (770) 422-5326. You can also request a quote here.
