How to clean a kitchen sink, by sink type
To clean a kitchen sink, clear it and rinse it, scrub the basin with dish soap and a sprinkle of baking soda on a non-scratch sponge, clean the drain and the faucet, then rinse and dry everything with a microfiber cloth. Do a quick rinse and wipe every night and a full scrub once a week. Stainless, porcelain and composite sinks each need a slightly different touch.
The sink is where the dirty dishes sit, so it's worth more attention than it gets.
What do you need?
- Dish soap
- Baking soda
- A non-scratch sponge and an old toothbrush
- Microfiber cloths
- White vinegar, for the faucet
- Rubber gloves
How do you clean a kitchen sink, step by step?
- Clear it. Dishes out, sponge and brush out, the drain strainer out.
- Rinse. Run hot water around the basin to loosen food.
- Scrub the basin. A few drops of dish soap and a sprinkle of baking soda on the wet sponge. Scrub the bottom, the sides and the rim, where grime collects.
- Clean the drain. Scrub the strainer basket with the toothbrush, and scrub around the drain opening and under its lip.
- Do the faucet. Wipe the handles and spout with soapy water. For water spots, wrap a cloth soaked in vinegar around the base for a few minutes, then wipe. Use the toothbrush where the faucet meets the counter.
- Rinse and dry. Rinse the whole sink and dry it with a microfiber cloth. Drying is what makes it shine.
How do you clean each type of sink?
Stainless steel. Scrub with the grain of the steel, which runs in fine lines you can see up close. Skip steel wool and bleach, which can scratch or mark it. A drop of mineral oil buffed in with a dry cloth now and then gives it an even finish.
White porcelain or enamel. Common in older kitchens. Use a paste of baking soda and dish soap on a soft sponge. For stains, cover them with the paste, or a cleaner made for porcelain, and let it sit before you scrub. Steel wool and harsh scouring powder scratch the glaze, and scratches hold stains.
Composite or granite composite. Dish soap and warm water on a soft sponge for daily cleaning. Check the maker's care guide before using anything stronger, and rinse well so no film is left.
Fireclay. Treat it like porcelain: gentle cleaners, soft sponge, no abrasives.
How do you get rid of rust spots?
Rust spots on a sink usually come from something left in it: a wet cast-iron pan, a steel can, a metal scrubber. Take the cause out first. Then rub the spot with a paste of baking soda and water, or a cleaner made for rust on your sink's material, and rinse well. On stainless, rub with the grain.
What about a smelly drain?
Run hot water for a minute, then scrub the strainer and the drain opening. If you have a garbage disposal, our drain and disposal guide walks through the splash guard and the grinding chamber. Never pour grease down the drain; it hardens in the pipe.
How do you keep the sink clean?
- Rinse and wipe it every night after the dishes.
- Don't leave dishes soaking overnight.
- Swap out or wash the sponge often, since it lives in a wet spot.
- Dry the faucet so water spots don't build up.
The sink is one line in our kitchen cleaning schedule, which covers the rest of the room.
Want the kitchen done for you?
Book House Cleaning or Deep Cleaning online. If the sink or a stained basin is a priority, ask about it when you book and put it in your booking notes.
FAQ
How do you clean a stainless steel sink? Rinse it, sprinkle baking soda over the wet basin, and scrub with a non-scratch sponge, following the grain of the steel. Rinse, then dry it with a microfiber cloth so water spots don't form.
How do you clean a white porcelain sink? Scrub it with a paste of baking soda and a little dish soap on a soft sponge, and rinse. For stains, cover them with the paste or a cleaner made for porcelain and let it sit before scrubbing. Skip steel wool and harsh scouring powder, which scratch the glaze.
How often should you clean the kitchen sink? Rinse and wipe it every evening after the dishes, and give it a full scrub with the drain and faucet once a week.
How do you get rust spots out of a sink? Take out what's causing them first, like a wet steel pan or a can left in the basin. Then rub the spot with a paste of baking soda and water, or a cleaner made for rust on your sink material, and rinse well.
Book a cleaning
Our service area: every Philadelphia neighborhood, plus the Pennsylvania suburbs within about 30 miles of Center City, in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks and Chester counties. Book online at phillyscleanteam.com/book-now, or call or text (215) 798-7576, 9 AM to 9 PM, every day.
