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Haley's Cleaning Hints

Green This! Volume 1: Greening Your Cleaning

Sink Reflections

Good Housekeeping Stain Rescue!: The A-Z Guide to Removing Smudges, Spots and Other Spills

Previous:
How to Clean Sinks, Tubs, and Toilets

Next:
How to Clean Bathroom Surfaces

How to Clean the Kitchen Sink

Cleaning the kitchen sink properly is an essential part of maintaining a sanitary food preparation space.

Daily Cleaning

Before you go to bed, empty the sink of food and dishes— if left overnight, these items can stain or discolor the sink and foster the growth of bacteria and mold. Fill the sink with a small amount of dish soap and hot water, and wipe the inside of the sink clean. Dry the sink to prevent water spots and make the sink shine.

Weekly Cleaning

Give your sink a weekly deep cleaning to remove stains and clean soap scum and other grime that a daily wiping won’t fully remove. Use a mild liquid abrasive (such as Soft Scrub®) and a nylon brush to deep-clean your sink. A toothbrush dipped in water and sprinkled with a powdered cleanser will remove any gunk or grime from hard-to-clean areas around faucets and in corners. Proper daily cleaning can stretch your weekly cleaning into biweekly or even monthly cleaning.

Stainless Steel and Solid Surface Sinks

Two types of sinks require special care.

Stainless steel sinks: Rust is the main problem to avoid when you’re caring for stainless steel sinks, so avoid using steel wool or any other metal-based cleaning tool that can foster rust. Don’t worry about fine scratches in stainless steel—it’s nearly impossible to prevent scratches, and over time they will develop into a rich patina. Chlorine bleach and strong acids can cause pitting in stainless steel, so use oxygen bleach to disinfect and a mild solution of vinegar and water to remove soap scum.
Solid surface sinks: Sinks made from Corian® or other solid surface materials require the same care as solid surface countertops.

Acknowledgments & Disclaimer