What’s the biggest difference between your kitchen and the ones in beautiful magazine ads? The kitchen sink. Everything else can be neat, but if your sink is dirty, your kitchen will still look dirty. Most real-life sinks are full of dishes and when they’re not, they have rust rings and food scraps in the bottom. It may not be possible to make a lived-in kitchen ever look as good as a magazine-perfect one, but a way to get close is to clean the centerpiece of your kitchen workspace: the sink.

 

How to Clean a Kitchen Sink

 

Clean with Baking Soda

First, we’ll assume you’ve washed and put away all the dirty dishes. So start with an empty sink and rinse any loose debris away. Sprinkle baking soda all over the kitchen sink. Use a wet sponge or rag to wipe away any dirt or stuck-on grime. After scrubbing, rinse the sink again to get rid of any left over baking soda.

 

Sink Disposal

There are several ways to clean a garbage disposal. One way is by using ice! Pour 2 cups of ice and 1 cup of salt into your disposal. Run cold water and turn on your garbage disposal. The ice and salt will be crushed by the blades and remove stuck-on food. Run the water until the ice has melted. Flush with water to help remove any leftover dirt or gunk.

 

Make Porcelain Sparkle

Place bleach-soaked paper towels at the bottom of your sink and let them sit for 30 minutes. After, discard the paper towels and rinse the sink with warm water.
Note: Do not use bleach on colored a porcelain kitchen sink.

 

Protect from Scratches

Placing a perforated plastic mat at the bottom of your sink will protect it from any scratches and marks. It will also protect your dishes as well.

 

Remove Stains

Make a paste with half cup of borax powder and the juice from a half lemon. Sponge the paste on the stain and rub. Rinse with water.

Get Rid of Rust

Getting rid of rust is very quick and easy! Simply Spray WD-40 on your rust stains and wipe off with a sponge or an old rag.

 

Unclog your Sink

Partially fill your sink with hot water. Position a plunger over the drain. Work the plunger up and down in a fast motion for 10-30 seconds. Continue the process until the clog is dislodged.

 

Maintaining a Clog-Free Sink

Mix together 1 cup salt, 1/4 cream of tarter, and 1 cup baking soda. Keep this in a container and every couple of weeks pour about half of the mixture down your drain followed by 2 cups of boiling water. This will keep your sink from clogging!

 

How Often Should I Clean my Kitchen Sink?

It’s a good idea to give your sink a quick wipe-down with hot soapy water every time after doing dishes. This prevents grime or soap buildup, which makes future cleanings easier.

Practice these tips and your kitchen sink will work and look better. If you want a stainless sink, but don’t want to scrub, call your local maid service to help you.