Person rinsing kitchen sink

HOW TO CLEAN A KITCHEN SINK: STEP-BY-STEP

Your kitchen sink helps keep mealtime moving and is crucial to maintaining the cleanliness of your entire kitchen. Help keep odors and buildup at bay with a quick cleaning once a week or so. Read on to learn how to clean your kitchen sink so that it is ready to take on your next mealtime messes.

WHY SHOULD YOU CLEAN YOUR KITCHEN SINK?

Your kitchen sink is a hub of activity, and it's important to keep it clean to prevent buildup that can cause odors and make it unsightly. Here are some reasons why you should clean your kitchen sink:

  • Prevents dirt and grime buildup

  • Eliminates odors that can spread throughout your home

  • Helps maintain the overall cleanliness of your kitchen

Kitchen sink set in a modern kitchen Kitchen sink set in a modern kitchen

HOW TO CLEAN A KITCHEN SINK

Most days, you can get away with a quick rinse or wipe down using a disinfectant spray. But for bigger messes, or to keep buildup to a minimum, deep clean your sink about once a week. It’s important to note that how you clean your kitchen sink and what you use to clean it will depend on what your sink is made of. The method below will likely work best for stainless steel or white kitchen sinks. Check out the steps below to learn the basics of cleaning a kitchen sink.

SUPPLIES
  • Baking soda

  • Dish soap

TOOLS
  • Sponge 

  • Microfiber cloth

Kitchen sink with cleaner in it

STEP 1: ADD CLEANERS & START SCRUBBING

Apply baking soda to the sides and bottom of your sink by sprinkling it generously. Add hot water and dish soap to your sponge. Starting with the sides, scrub the sink, working down towards the drain.


If your sink is stainless steel, be sure to wipe in the direction of the grain. Consider using affresh® stainless steel brightener1 to help restore your stainless steel to a bright shine.

Kitchen sink with water running

STEP 2: RINSE

Next, thoroughly rinse your sink, making sure to wash away any leftover baking soda or dish soap.

Towel laying on the edge of a kitchen sink

STEP 3: DRY

Dry your sink with a microfiber cloth to reduce the chance of leaving behind water spots.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CLEAN A KITCHEN SINK?

Your sink should be deep cleaned about once a week. It might also be beneficial to do some light cleaning with a disinfectant spray or wipe once a day or after heavy use.

HOW TO CLEAR A CLOGGED KITCHEN SINK

You can clear a clogged kitchen sink with a few simple steps. First, you can try plunging the sink’s drain or carefully pouring boiling water down it. You can also inspect the garbage disposal to make sure it is not clogged or does not need to be reset. 

If these methods don’t work, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain and then a cup of vinegar. Cover the drain with a sink stopper or other covering. Allow the baking soda and vinegar to sit for about 15 minutes. Remove the drain cover and run hot water down the drain.

Use affresh® disposal cleaner tablets1 monthly or as needed to clean and remove odor-causing residues with a powerful foaming action. The tablet is designed to create a scrubbing action that cleans the disposal with a fresh, citrus scent.

KITCHEN SINK CLEANING TIPS

  • Become familiar with what your kitchen sink is made of, such as ceramic, porcelain or stainless steel, so you can tailor your cleaning process to the material.

  • If you have a concrete, porcelain or cast iron sink, avoid acidic cleaners such as vinegar.

  • Use a toothbrush or other small cleaning brush to clean the hard-to-reach areas of your sink.

  • Always use a clean sponge or cloth. If your sponge starts to smell, replace it right away.

SHOP AFFRESH® CLEANING PRODUCTS

Affresh®1 offers easy and effective solutions to your appliance cleaning needs. Explore products like the ice machine cleaner to help keep your machine clean so you can enjoy great-tasting ice and stainless steel brightener that can be used on all stainless steel surfaces to help clear away rust and remove heat discoloration.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEANING YOUR KITCHEN

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1. affresh® brand products and the recommending brands’ products are all owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation.