Sparkle and Shine: How to Clean Your Kitchen Sink

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

Unveiling the secret on how to clean your kitchen sink so it’s sparkling, fresh, and bacteria-free!

Here are a few more kitchen cleaning posts we think you’ll love: Kitchen Cleaning Log, How to Clean Your Microwave, and How to Clean Your Oven.

Close up of a clean kitchen sink

How to Clean Your Kitchen Sink

Often overlooked in the cleaning routine and a huge breeding ground for bacteria, your kitchen sink is actually the second dirtiest place in your house – even dirtier than your toilets!

But cleaning it and keeping it clean doesn’t have to be a hard task- in fact, if you put in the work once then do some simple maintenance, your sink can maintain its fresh functionality and aesthetic appeal. Here’s how:

ITEMS NEEDED:

TIPS BEFORE YOU GET STARTED:

  • Be sure to rinse your kitchen sink in between each step so you aren’t mixing cleaners that can create a dangerous gas.
  • Make sure you wear gloves. You will be working with bleach and you don’t want to irritate your skin.
kitchen sink filled with water

Step 1: Clear it Out – Before you start scrubbing, clear the sink of any dishes, sponges, or clutter. This not only gives you a clean slate but also allows you to access every nook and cranny of the sink.

Step 2: Rinse and Remove Loose Debris – Give your sink a good rinse to remove any loose debris. Use warm water to help soften any stuck-on gunk.

Step 3: Let it Soak – Fill your sink up all the way with very hot water + 1 cup of bleach. Let this water sit for 30-60 minutes, then drain the sink and rinse it well.

scrubbing a sink with baking soda and a scrub brush

Step 4: Scrub It – Use your favorite cleaner or baking soda and a clean sponge, toothbrush, or spin brush to scrub your sink. Be sure to focus on stains, spots, areas around the drain, and clean around the rim of the sink where the sink meets the counter. Rinse well.

Step 5: Detail Scrubbing – Use a butter knife or toothpick to dig out any tough scum or grime.

using a toothpick to scrub the cracks of a sink

Step 6: Don’t Forget the Faucet – Scrub the faucet with your cleaner and sponge. Use the toothbrush or spin brush to get in the cracks of the hardware. Once finished, wipe the entire faucet with a damp cloth.

Step 7: Make it Shine! – Using some window cleaner, wipe the sink to make it nice and shiny. If you have a stainless steel sink, you can enhance its shine by polishing it with a few drops of olive oil on a soft cloth. Buff the sink until it gleams!

overhead shot of a clean kitchen sink

In just a few simple steps, you’ve transformed your kitchen sink into a sparkling masterpiece. Repeat these steps as-needed to maintain that fresh, clean feel. Happy cleaning!

long image of a clean kitchen sink

10 Comments

  1. I keep a spray bottle of clorox in the kitchen to disinfect surfaces, especially countertops when prepping raw chicken.

    I’m one of your email subscribers.

  2. I mainly use Clorox to clean the house. I find it is quite effective in removing all dirt and stains.

  3. I use baking soda with a wee bit of water as a scrubber to clean my pots and other dishes – it really does a great job!!! I am also subscribed to get your newsletter!!

  4. I subscribe. One of my cleaning tips is to throw your kitchen sponge/dish scrubber and your food disposal “cap” in the dishwasher. They have problem surviving the cleaning and they’re no where near as scuzzy when they come out.

  5. I use an old wash up liq bottle re- labelled with a little bleach a spot of wash-up liq fill with water and just squeeze a bit around the sink scrub with a long handled wash up brush and my stainless steel sink looks really good and fresh

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *