Knowing how to clean a sink is essential if you want to keep your kitchen gleaming and free of germs.
The kitchen sink is one of the busiest areas in a home — and dirtiest too, if you're not careful. But luckily, our expert guide will walk you through the five steps to clean yours, the products to help you do it and some handy pro tips along the way.
When it comes to cleaning your kitchen, there really is no better place to start than the sink. So grab your gloves and get ready to make it shine.
How to clean a sink like a pro
When it comes to cleaning a kitchen a sink, you'll need the right cleaning supplies alongside advice from our industry experts to to banish bacteria, freshen your faucets and bring your basin back to its brilliant best.
Where our experts have suggested products, we've curated matching buys with trusted retailers so you can grab them and get going in a flash.
All prices were correct at time of publication.
1. Gather cleaning supplies
Before attacking that sink, arm yourself with the necessary kit. When learning to clean a sink properly, you will need:
- Baking soda (we recommend Target's 3 lb Arm and Hammer baking soda bag)
- White vinegar (try Amazon's Heinz All Natural Distilled White Vinegar for use around the home)
- An old toothbrush (for tight spaces)
- Dishwashing liquid (try Dawn's original dish soap from Target)
- Microfiber cloth or sponge (we like Scotch-Brite Non-Scratch Sponges from Walmart for their durability)
- Reusable gloves to protect your hands from chemicals (such as the Clorox Ultra-Comfort Gloves from Target)
With these tools at your disposal, you're prepared to face any grime-induced challenge that dares to tarnish your sink's gleaming glory.
2. Clear out the sink
Unlike cleaning a bathroom sink, you'll want to prepare the battlefield by clearing away any debris or dishware cluttering your kitchen sink.
Karina Toner, of Spekless Cleaning, says, "It's important to start with a fresh slate. Clean and remove any dishes, food scraps or debris to provide a clear workspace. Then rinse the sink with warm water to loosen any dirt or grime."
With your materials to hand and your sink clear, it's time to get to business, starting with the drain.
Karina is an Operations Manager at Spekless Cleaning, a prominent cleaning company based in Arlington, VA. With over a decade of hands-on experience in the cleaning industry, she's honed her expertise in providing top-notch cleaning solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of clients effectively, and sustainably.
3. Unclog the drain
It's the part you don't see, but you'll certainly smell it when that drain gets dirty. Cleaning the sink drain where food scraps and forgotten remnants gather is the first step to a refreshed kitchen sink.
Begin by pouring half a cup of baking soda (this two-pack Arm and Hammer baking soda from Amazon is handy so you can have a box in the kitchen and another in the bathroom) down the drain, followed with a generous glug of white vinegar.
Wells Ye, founder of Fresh Tech Maid, says, "This dynamic duo dissolves blockages and devours odors. Give the mixture a few minutes to bubble and pass through the drain, before washing any remaining particles from the channel with boiling water."
Karina adds, "As an extra tip for ongoing drain maintenance, use a sink strainer to prevent food scraps and debris from clogging your drain. Empty it regularly to keep your sink draining smoothly — otherwise standing water will build, which can lead to mineral deposits and scum build-up."
Wells Ye is the brains behind Fresh Tech Maid — a respected, Chicago-based home cleaning service that boasts more than 10,000 happy clients thanks to more than 50,000 successful cleans.
4. Clean the basin
Next, it's time to tackle the heart of your kitchen sink — the basin. Your approach should vary depending on its material.
Will Cotter, of FreshSpace Cleaning, says, "Choosing the right cleaner is super important to avoid damaging the surface of your sink. For example, if you have a stainless steel sink, I recommend using the Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish from Target. It's amazing and leaves a protective barrier to repel water and fingerprints."
You can also clean a stainless steel sink by sprinkling baking soda liberally across the basin's surface, before cleaning away with a damp sponge. A few drops of mineral oil (eucalyptus oil smells lovely) applied with a soft cloth can bestow a glossy finish worthy of admiration.
For porcelain sinks, create a paste of baking soda and water. Apply it with a soft brush to banish stubborn stains without fear of scratching. Alternatively, cover the basin with Bar Keeper's Friend from Amazon , leave for 10 minutes, scrub with a wet scourer, then rinse with warm water.
Composite sinks can be spruced up with a vinegar-water solution to maintain their brilliance without compromising surface integrity. The Weiman Granite Clean & Shine from Target is also a very effective option.
Will adds, "For extra-effective results, precede your sink clean by dropping a denture cleaning (such as Walmart's Polident antibacterial effervescent denture cleaning tablets) or dishwasher tablet into the sink the evening before, add hot water, and let it sit overnight. Unlike abrasive cleaners, they won't scratch or damage the sink's finish."
Will Cotter is the owner of FreshSpace Cleaning — which serves homes in multiple locations across the south and beyond — as well as other cleaning companies in Indianapolis, Oklahoma, Milwaukee, and Louisville.
5. Clean the faucet and handles
For that good-as-new look, cleaning the faucet head and handles of the sink is your all-important finishing touch.
Josh Mitchell, of Plumbing Lab, says, "The faucet and handles are notorious for accumulating grime and bacteria, so they require special attention. Dip an old toothbrush or a small brush into a soapy-water solution and use it to scrub around the base of the faucet and in between any crevices or grooves.
"For stubborn limescale or mineral deposits around the faucet, soak a cloth in white vinegar and wrap it around the affected area. Let it sit for a few minutes to dissolve the build-up, before wiping it clean."
Rinse thoroughly to ensure no soapy residue remains to mar the shine. For a finishing touch, buff your faucets dry with a clean, dry cloth, allowing them to gleam with new-found radiance.
Josh Mitchell is a trained residential plumber and owner of Plumbing Lab, which aims to help America's homeowners resolve their everyday plumbing issues easily and effectively.
Price: $20.12
This plant-based mild dish soap will cut through dirt and oil trapped in your sink.
Price: $12.99
This vinegar can be used to clean just about anything around the house, including nasty sink drains.
Price: $11.94
Baking soda is great for getting rid of odors that may be trapped in the sink drain.
These five simple steps, and a little elbow grease, will reward you with a sparkling kitchen sink you can be proud of.
Next, expand your efforts by deep-cleaning your kitchen and keep it gleaming with the best cleaning supply subscriptions so you never run out of the products you need to stay on top of cleaning at home.