How to Clean Your Kitchen Sink the Right Way
Due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, you've probably been deep cleaning all the surfaces of your home. But if you're not cleaning your kitchen sink every day, you could be spreading unwanted germs and bacteria. We've tapped three cleaning experts to find out the best ways to tackle your sink woes and keep your kitchen sanitary. Read on for our tips for how to properly clean your kitchen sink using three different methods.
Disinfect First
Aerin Jacob, president of Phoenix Janitorial, uses the following method, focused on disinfectant. He starts by using an EPA-noted, virus-killing disinfectant. Then, after spraying, Jacob says the disinfectant must sit for at least a few minutes before wiping (read the instructions on your cleaning product to see how long it should sit, as times can vary by brand).
"In the industry, this is called dwell time and this is the difference between cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting. This dwell time kills viruses," Jacob says. Finally, rinse the sink with warm water and clean with Dawn dish soap ($15 for 3 bottles, Amazon) or your favorite cleaner. Rinse again with warm water after cleaning.
Related: The EPA Just Approved This Natural Cleaner to Kill Coronavirus and It's Actually Amazing to Use
Baking Soda and Bleach Combo
Leanne Stapf, COO of The Cleaning Authority, sticks to effective basics that everyone already likely has in their household. She says that baking soda is perfect for refreshing dull stainless-steel sinks, as it brightens while it cleans. Start with a sprinkle of baking soda onto a damp soft cloth (we like these ones from Amazon) and buff out the stainless steel sink. Then, rinse well so you don't leave behind any unseemly streaks. For a white sink, Staph suggests cleaning with a mixture of three tablespoons baking soda, one tablespoon of dish soap and ¼ cup warm water to restore that perfect white finish.
Next up, to sanitize the sink, stop the drain and fill the basin with warm water. Add a small amount of bleach and let that sit for upwards of five minutes before draining the sink. Be sure to wipe down the handles and faucet with the bleach solution as well. Finally, rinse with warm water to remove the bleach.
Powder Cleanser
Justin Carpenter, owner of Tucson Maids and Dallas' Modern Maids, prefers to use powder cleanser. According to Carpenter, "You only need a few products and tools to clean your kitchen sink properly." He starts by evenly sprinkling a powder cleanser around the edges and basin of the sink. His favorite is the non-toxic Bon Ami, which is similar to baking soda but was created specifically for cleaning (2 containers for $10, Amazon).
Next, Carpenter adds Dawn dish soap and hot water to a clean sponge and starts to scrub. He suggests starting on the sides, all the while pushing the food and gunk towards the drain as you work your way to the center. Finally, he points out that it's a good idea to do a final rinse with hot water for a clean and sparkling finish.
Carpenter is careful to point out that to disinfect the sink and faucet area, it takes a slightly different approach. As shared above, cleaning the sink is about removing the food, grime and gunk, whereas the purpose of disinfecting is to kill germs and viruses. The key to disinfecting your sink and faucet is to carefully read the directions of your cleaning agent. (FYI, his favorite for this use is Clorox multi-surface cleaner with bleach).
A lot of people aren't aware that many cleaning products need to sit for 10-15 minutes in order to kill the germs and viruses. It's vital to note that you can't simply spray it and wipe it up right away. Carpenter shares that cleaners should make sure to spray the faucet head, handles and sink basin then wait the appropriate amount of time before wiping away.
Overall, it's easy to see that numerous experts have their preferred methods for optimal kitchen sink cleaning and disinfecting. Try them all and see which is the best fit for you and your household!