How To Clean and Maintain Your Kitchen Sink Like A Pro?

Are you tired of cleaning your kitchen every day, but still feel it is dirty? Well, we can understand. Kitchen sinks are unsung heroes. They endure everyday scratches, heavy pots, dirty dishes, leftover food, and countless splashes, making them lose their shine and appeal. 

Like any hardworking person, your sink needs attention, care, and a proper cleaning and maintenance routine to restore its shine and offer longevity and functionality. 

Maintaining and cleaning a kitchen sink is not rocket science; it's all about hygiene, care, and the right products. This article contains a proper kitchen sink cleaning guide from kitchen sink experts that will not only keep your sink maintaining its shine but also prevent costly repairs and save your bank account. 

Quick Habits For A Cleaner Kitchen Sink:

Before developing a maintenance or deep cleaning routine, there are a few quick habits that you should practice for a cleaner look. These habits will help you maintain a cleaner kitchen sink and avoid buildup or stubborn stains. 

1. Rinse Thoroughly After Every Wash: It is recommended that you rinse your basin after every use. Most of the time, after washing dirty dishes, leftover food residue, color, and detergents remain on the sink surface, leading to a buildup after drying. Due to the moist space, these residues are prone to growing bacteria, which can lead to an unhygienic condition. Moreover, they become hard to remove once dried out. 

2. Wiping Down Regularly: After washing dishes and food prep, wipe your sink basin and surrounding countertop with a microfiber cloth. This practice removes water spots and prevents surface grime from accumulating.

3. Avoid Harsh Chemicals: The harsh chemicals can damage your sink in the long term. To maintain the quality of your materials over time, opt for gentle cleaning solutions for regular cleaning. 

4. What Goes in the Drain: To maintain your sink's life, be mindful while pouring waste into it. Avoid pouring oil, grease, and large food scraps. These can clog the drain, and an unpleasant odor will build up over time. To avoid such a situation, a strainer should be used to catch the waste and dispose of it properly. 

Deep Clean Different Sink Materials Like A Pro

Kitchen sinks come in different sink materials like granite and stainless steel. Each material has its own properties and requires a special cleaning and maintenance routine. For instance:

For Stainless Steel:

1. Everyday Care: Use mild dishwashing soaps with warm water. Scrub it using a gentle scrub or cloth to avoid scratches. 

2. For Stubborn Stains and Water Spots: Leftover food residue and daily splashes can leave water spots and stubborn stains on your stainless steel sink. The best way to avoid this situation is to rinse after every wash and wipe down using a dry cloth.

However, if the problem is already there, you can use a good stainless steel sink cleaner. You can also try a famous DIY baking soda paste by mixing some baking soda with a small amount of water. Apply the solution to the stains or the overall sink. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, and then scrub it with a gentle scrubber and rinse. 

3. Maintain the Shine: To maintain the shine of your stainless steel sink, wipe it down with olive oil or any stainless steel polish and buff it with a microfiber dry cloth. 

For Granite Sinks:

1. Everyday Wash: Use mild dishwashing soap and warm water to wash your granite sink daily. No fancy solutions are required; only a soft or microfiber cloth is needed. 

2. Stain Removal: Granite sinks are usually stain-resistant, but some hard stains are tough to remove. To remove them, use special granite cleaners. These cleaners will remove the hard stains while protecting the granite composite from damage.  

3. Prevention of Hard Water Buildup: Hard water stains and buildup are the real issues with granite sinks, though they don't appear easily; poor maintenance can enhance the buildup over time. The proper cleaning and maintenance routine can easily prevent this situation. However, using a vinegar and water solution in equal amounts can also be used as a DIY cleaning solution. 

Maintenance Tips for Longevity:

Beyond the daily cleaning routine, it is essential to adopt some maintenance habits to keep your sink clean. Some are:

• To avoid scratches or dents, try placing a wire rack or a rubber mat on the basin's bottom while washing heavy pots. 
• The sink also includes faucets, so clean them regularly with mild soap or a wet cloth. You can also use a toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach areas. 
• Most importantly, regular drain unclogging should be part of your routine, as it will save you from unwanted hassle in the middle of the day. 
• Lastly, always follow the manufacturer's instructions for maintaining and cleaning the sink based on the specific material. Use the high-quality material specified cleaners to increase the longevity of your sinks. 
  

So, here is some advice from experts like Meeramore for cleaning and maintaining your kitchen sinks. No matter what material you choose, a little love, care, and attention can prevent wear and tear and keep it smooth and shiny like a new one in its life.