How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen Sink (& Keep It Clean)

Cleaning the sink is an easy household task that we'll show you how to tackle in minutes. By using cleaning products like baking soda, lemon juice, vinegar, and old-fashioned elbow grease, the grime in your kitchen sink won't stand a chance. Whether your sink is stainless steel, porcelain, ceramic, or enamel, faucet grime, basin stains, and drain odors won't stand a chance. Read on for a complete guide to cleaning your kitchen sink, faucet, drain, and disposal with expert advice from house cleaning professional Raymond Chiu.

Things You Should Know

To clean a stainless steel sink, sprinkle ½ cup (136 g) of baking soda and scrub with a scrubbing brush, warm water, and dish soap.
For a porcelain sink, cover the surface with paper towels and saturate them with hydrogen peroxide. Rinse the sink with water and buff with a microfiber cloth.
To clean the drain, pour a mixture of ½ cup (136 g) baking soda and 1 cup (240 mL) warm water, then pour ¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of vinegar and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 8:

Cleaning a Stainless Steel Sink

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1
Clean any dirty dishes and remove leftover food from your sink. Remove your sponge holder, drain stopper, scrub brush, and anything else you keep on the edge of your sink. Use gentle soap, soft cloth, and warm water to clean the faucet, drain, and outer rim.
- Acidic foods, bleach, and abrasive scrubbers can alter a stainless-steel sink's finish. Try to avoid letting acidic foods sit in the sink for a long period and avoid bleach-based sprays.
2
Sprinkle baking soda and scrub with warm water and soap. Sprinkle ½ cup (136 g) of baking soda inside the sink. Add warm water and a drop of dish soap to a sponge or scrubbing brush. Scrub along the grain, working from the top of the sink down to the bottom.^{[1]
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Research source} Keep adding soap and water as needed until the sink is spot-free.
- Add 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of lemon juice to your sponge or scrubbing brush to help get out particularly tough stains and eliminate odors.^{[2]
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- Use a toothbrush, dish soap, and hot water to get all the cracks between the sink and the countertop.
- Try to avoid using hot water—it could blemish the stainless steel finish.^{[3]
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3
Rinse with water and use a microfiber cloth to buff it out. Polish the sides and bottom of the sink to make sure it’s shiny and clean.^{[4]
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Research source} House cleaning professional Raymond Chiu also recommends “adding a few drops of baby oil to a microfiber cloth and gently wiping the stainless steel to add a nice sheen.”^{[5]
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Expert Source

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.}
- Stainless steel is notorious for revealing water spots, so drying and buffing the area can help remove any before they stick.
- If you notice any spots you missed during the cleaning process, spray some vinegar on them, rinse with clean water, and buff the area with a microfiber cloth.

Method 2

Method 2 of 8:

Cleaning a Porcelain Sink

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Remove any objects around your sink and use an extendable faucet or a damp cloth dipped in warm soapy water to wash away food particles and other debris.
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Cover the sink with paper towels and spray hydrogen peroxide. Let the solution sit in the sink for 30 minutes to an hour. Rinse the sink completely with clean warm water.^{[6]
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- Harsh scrubbing can damage porcelain, so try to use solutions like hydrogen peroxide to clean first.^{[7]
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Scrub rust and metal stains with lemon juice and table salt. Cover the rusted area with salt and squeeze the juice of half a lemon over it. Gently scrub the stain with a clean cloth or sponge. If the stain doesn’t come up, repeat this step and let the mixture sit for an hour before scrubbing again.^{[8]
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- Alternatively, apply a thin coat of naval jelly to the area. Rinse the area as soon as you notice a change in the color of the stain.^{[9]
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Tackle deeper stains with a mild abrasive cleaner. If you have a stain that just won’t come out or you’d like an alternative to hydrogen peroxide, use a gentle abrasive cleaner that’s safe on porcelain.^{[10]
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Research source} Read the instructions on the back of the product and use a non-abrasive sponge or cloth to clean your kitchen sink.
- One popular safe and effective cleaner is Bar Keeper’s Friend. Squirt the product directly onto the stain and scrub with a soft cloth.^{[11]
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- Use mild abrasive cleaners sparingly to reduce the chance of discoloring or scratching your porcelain sink.^{[12]
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Use the cloth to buff out the sink until it’s shiny and smudge-free. Optionally, apply lemon essential oil to the microfiber cloth to repel soap scum and make the area smell fresh and clean.^{[13]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 8:

Cleaning a White Ceramic or Enamel Kitchen Sink

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1
Wet the sink’s surface, sprinkle baking soda, and scrub. Pat the sink down with a wet cloth until it’s damp, then sprinkle ½ cup (136 g) of baking soda into the basin. Wet a sponge or brush in warm soapy water and scrub the sink until it’s clean.^{[14]
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- Optionally, add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide before scrubbing.
- Use a microfiber cloth to dry the sink afterward.
- To remove tough stains on ceramic sinks, plug the drain and fill the basin with warm water and a scoop of washing powder. Let it sit a few hours or overnight, then rinse.^{[15]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 8:

Cleaning a Sink Faucet

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1
Wash the handles and faucets with warm water and dish soap. Fill a bowl with warm water and a drop of dish soap. Dip a sponge or soft cloth in the solution and clean the faucet and handles. Use a toothbrush to get into any hard-to-reach areas. Rinse the area with cold water.
- If you notice limescale on the fixtures’ surface, soak a paper towel in white vinegar and place it over the area. Wait at least an hour, then wash the area with water and soap.
- To remove any grime around the base of the faucet, grab a piece of floss and saw it back and forth around the area. Wipe away any debris with a damp paper towel or cloth.^{[16]
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Use vinegar to remove hard water from the faucet head. Fill a plastic bag halfway with white distilled vinegar. Use a rubber band to tie the bag around the sink faucet so the head is completely submerged. Let the faucet soak for at least 2 hours, then remove the bag and scrub the head with a toothbrush, dish soap, and warm water.^{[17]
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- Add a few drops of lemon juice to the bag to help cut down on vinegar odors.
- To clean the kitchen sink sprayer, fill half a bowl with warm water and the other half with white vinegar. Dip a cloth into the mixture and wipe the hose and nozzle.^{[18]
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Thoroughly dry the fixtures with a microfiber cloth. Use the cloth to buff the faucet and handles until they’re shiny and free of water spots or stains.
- To prevent hard water stains in the future, try to wipe away water as soon as you’re done using the faucet.^{[19]
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Method 5

Method 5 of 8:

Cleaning a Kitchen Sink Drain

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1
Pour warm water, baking soda, and vinegar down the drain. Mix 1/2 cup (136 g) of baking soda with 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water. Pour this directly into the drain, and follow it with ¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of white distilled vinegar. Leave the solution for 10 to 15 minutes. The reaction of the cleaning products can help unclog the drain and remove unwanted smells.^{[20]
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- If you don’t have PVC pipes, pour boiling water down the sink afterward.^{[21]
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  - House cleaning professional Raymond Chiu also recommends “regularly pour[ing] boiling hot water down the drain to melt away the grease that may be stuck in the pipes.”^{[22]
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    Raymond Chiu
    House Cleaning Professional
    
    Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.}

Method 6

Method 6 of 8:

Cleaning a Garbage Disposal

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1
Pour in ice cubes, lemon wedges, and salt, and turn the disposal on. Throw 3 to 4 ice cubes, 2 lemon wedges or peel scraps, and about 1 tablespoon (13.8 g) of coarse kosher salt down the disposal. The ice can knock the food off the grinder while the salt can scrub the sides and the lemon can add a fresh smell.^{[23]
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- Optionally, pour ½ cup (136 g) baking soda and 1 cup (240 mL) apple cider vinegar into the disposal and let it sit for 10 minutes. Turn on the hot water and the disposal until any food particles wash away.^{[24]
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- Sprinkle a little bit of baking soda down your disposal once a week or right before you leave town to keep your drain smelling fresh and clean.^{[25]
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Method 7

Method 7 of 8:

How Often to Clean Your Sink

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Every time you rinse or wash dishes or pour anything down the drain, give your sink a thorough rinse to prevent food particles from hanging around or staining the surface. Also, clean your sink once a week with warm water and liquid soap.^{[26]
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Do a thorough clean at least once a month to remove grease, dirt, and soap scum from the sink, faucets, and drain.^{[27]
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Prevent gunk from accumulating by cleaning and running your garbage disposal at least every two weeks. Sanitize your disposal each month by pouring 1 tablespoon of bleach and 1 quart of water down the drain.^{[28]
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Method 8

Method 8 of 8:

How to Keep Your Sink Clean

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Clean your dishes every day. If you don't have a dishwasher, it can be easy to let the dishes go for a day or two (or longer). However, letting dirty dishes sit around can spread harmful bacteria. Clean your dishes, utensils, and surfaces with a sponge, dish soap, and hot water after each use.^{[29]
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- Some cookware can’t be submerged in water—if you’re not sure, check the manufacturer’s instructions before cleaning.^{[30]
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- Allow rags, dishcloths, and sponges to air dry or throw them in the washing machine. Replace sponges and rags frequently.^{[31]
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- House cleaning professional Raymond Chiu says to always “dispose of any leftover scraps in the garbage before placing [your dishes] in the sink.”^{[32]
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  Raymond Chiu
  House Cleaning Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.}
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Use a disinfectant spray to sanitize your sink and countertops. Mix 1 cup (240 mL) distilled white vinegar, 1 cup (240 mL) of water, 3 drops of tea tree or lemon essential oil, and 3 drops of grapefruit essential oil in a bottle with a spray attachment. Shake the bottle and spray directly onto the surface as needed.^{[33]
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- White distilled vinegar can cut through grease and grime and contains acetic acid, which has antimicrobial properties.^{[34]
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  - Tea tree, lemon, and grapefruit essential oils have antibacterial and antiseptic properties.^{[35]
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    PubMed Central
    Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
    
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- Alternatively, purchase a natural disinfectant spray to sanitize your countertops and sinks after each use.

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Question

How can I clean gunk out from my sink?

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Raymond Chiu is the owner of Maid Sailors Cleaning Service, offering affordable residential and office cleaning services. Since its founding in 2014 in New York City, Maid Sailors has expanded to several cities, including Boston, Chicago, and Austin. The company has earned a reputation as one of the most reliable and best cleaning services in the industry.

Raymond Chiu

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

Pour boiling water down your drain to rinse out anything that's stuck or built up in the pipes.

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My drain seems to have a smell. I have used baking soda and vinegar mixture but it doesn't help. What else can I do?

Community Answer

If it's a garbage disposal put oranges, peel and all, in and turn it on. if it's just the drain take three oranges peel and the peels from six oranges, blend them to a liquid, pour it into the drain, and let set 30 minutes. Then run water into it. Repeat as needed. It gives your kitchen the smell of fresh oranges. Lemons or limes will work as well.

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How can I remove scratches from stainless steel stove and sink?

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Take a wet rag (old flour sack towels work best), wring it out, and fold it into 6 or 8 folds to make a nice pad. Apply Ajax or Comet powder cleaner on to the rag. Clean in the direction of the grain of the stainless steel. Then take a second rag, run it under hot water (as hot as you can stand), use this one to rinse off the Ajax/Comet, again working in the direction of the grain. Then imminently dry with a dry cloth - again in grain direction. Over time, the scratches will disappear.

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Tips

When cleaning your drain, try not to mix the baking soda and vinegar before pouring them in so that the chemical reaction takes place near the top of the drain.

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Warnings

When cleaning, test products on a small hidden area first to make sure it won’t damage the rest of the surface.

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Try to avoid letting lemon juice sit on the surface of your enamel sink for longer than 10 minutes. The acidic nature of the juice can erode the enamel if left on for too long.

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House cleaning professional Raymond Chiu says to “refrain from pouring grease down the drain.” It can clog your pipes and lead to costly plumbing problems. Instead, pour it into a “sealable container” and “throw [it] in the appropriate garbage.”^{[36]
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Expert Source

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.}

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Try to avoid using bleach, chlorine, alcohol, or glass cleaners on sinks because they can ruin the finish and possibly discolor the sink over time.^{[37]
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