How To Clean A Kitchen Sink Drain The Right Way

Jun 17, 2022 | Plumbing

There’s nothing worse than a kitchen sink drain that’s clogged with gunk. Not only is it frustrating to not be able to wash dishes or rinse off fruits and veggies, but it can also start to smell pretty bad. Luckily, cleaning your kitchen sink drain is a quick and easy process – and you probably have everything you need right in your pantry! Keep reading for our step-by-step guide on how to clean kitchen sink drain the right way.

How To Clean Kitchen Sink Drain

What you’ll need:

  • Rubber gloves
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • A lemon
  • Non-abrasive scrubber
  • Dish soap
  • Baking soda
  • White vinegar
  • Salt

Step 1: Sanitize The Sink Basin

A Kitchen Sink


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First, make sure there’s nothing in your sink, this includes food particles and gunk. Then, give it a quick pre-rinse to clean off any visible crumbs. After that, put on your rubber gloves and prepare to clean your kitchen sink. Remember that cleaning varies by material, so follow the procedure that is appropriate for the kind of kitchen sink you have.

How to Clean a Stainless-Steel Kitchen Sink

Stainless steel is far more durable than other sinks. Stainless steel is less prone to stain permanently or rust as compared to a porcelain kitchen sink. However, watch out for stainless-steel sinks’ true enemies—acids, bleach, and abrasive scrubbers. These products can damage the finish of a stainless-steel sink, so it’s best to avoid them.

First, sprinkle baking soda on the wet sink and soak your sponge in hot water. Scrub down the sides of the basin before moving on to the bottom, pushing any filth straight into the drain. Continue adding soap and water as needed or until the surface is scum-free. Then, rinse with clean water.

How to Clean a Porcelain Kitchen Sink

Porcelain sinks are one of the most popular types of kitchen sinks. They are beautiful and classic, but they require a little more care than other materials. When cleaning a porcelain sink, always use non-abrasive cleaners and scrubbers to avoid scratching the surface.

Start by mixing dish soap with warm water and scrubbing down the entire sink. Be sure to get into all of the nooks and crannies. Then, rinse away the suds with clean water. To remove any stubborn stains, make a paste out of baking soda and water and rub it onto the affected areas. Let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it away with a damp cloth. Finally, rinse the sink and enjoy your clean, shining porcelain!

Step 2: Wipe Down Faucets And Handles

A modern kitchen

While you’re waiting for the baking soda to work its magic on the porcelain sink, take this opportunity to clean the faucets and handles. All you need is a damp cloth and some dish soap. Simply mix up some soapy water, give everything a good wipe down, and rinse with clean water. If there’s any built-up gunk or grime, use an old toothbrush to scrub it away.

Step 3: Clear The Drain And Disposal

Below we discuss a two-part process for cleaning your kitchen sink drain. First, we’ll show you how to clear the drain itself, and then we’ll move on to the garbage disposal.

How to Clear a Kitchen Drain

If your drain is slow or clogged, there’s a good chance it’s full of gunk and grime. Luckily, there’s an easy way to clear it out. All you need is a pot of boiling water and some baking soda.

Start by pouring a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a pot of boiling water. Let it sit for a few minutes, then flush with cold water. The baking soda will break up any clogs, and the boiling water will help flush them away. If your drain is still slow or clogged, you may need to repeat this process a few times.

How to Clean a Garbage Disposal

The garbage disposal is one of the dirtiest parts of the kitchen sink, so it’s important to clean it regularly. You can do this using dish soap and boiling hot water, or you can use vinegar and baking soda.

To clean with dish soap and hot water, start by running the garbage disposal. Then, add a few drops of dish soap to the disposal and let it run for a few more minutes. Finally, rinse with hot water.

To clean with vinegar and baking soda, start by adding a cup of baking soda to the garbage disposal. Let it sit for a few minutes, then add a cup of vinegar and let it foam for another few minutes. Finally, run the disposal with plenty of cold water. Either way, you’ll end up with a clean and fresh-smelling garbage disposal!

Step Four: Polish Your Sink Until It Shines

Now that your sink is clean and draining freely, it’s time to make it shine. If you have a stainless-steel sink, this is easy to do with some vinegar and a soft cloth.

Simply mix up a solution of one part vinegar and two parts water. Then, use a soft cloth to rub the mixture onto the sink’s surface in circular motions. Rinse away the vinegar with clean water and dry the sink with a clean towel. If you have a porcelain sink, you can achieve a similar effect by using baking soda instead of vinegar.

Conclusion

That’s it! Now you know how to keep your drain smelling fresh. Just remember to be careful with abrasive cleaners and scrubbers, and your sink will stay looking shiny and new for years to come. Thanks for reading!

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. We love hearing from our readers! Safe cleaning!

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