Cleaning 101: The Best Way to Clean Your Kitchen Sink
With these kitchen sink cleaning tips, you don’t need caustics to get the job done. Discover the best way to clean kitchen sinks – naturally.
Written by Tenley Haraldson.
It's where you wash hands, strain pasta, rinse out the pet bowl, and defrost meat. Because it’s a major breeding ground for germs, it's crucial to learn how to keep your kitchen sink clean.
However, you don't need to use caustic chemicals on food-safe surfaces: Our guide outlines the best way to clean kitchen sinks with safe, biodegradable products.
How to Reduce Germs in Your Kitchen Sink
A National Sanitation Foundation study determined that kitchen sinks were the germiest location in any home. A whopping 45% of study participants had coliform lurking there – and that’s not even including yeast or mold!
Since these are places where food is defrosted and prepared, it’s crucial to prevent the spread of bacteria in kitchen sinks.
1. Use Kitchen Sponges Correctly
One study determined that more than 360 types of bacteria thrive in household sponges. This is one of the densest environments for germs on the planet (rivaled only by the human intestinal tract)!
Sponges can quickly cross-contaminate surfaces with bacteria like coliform, campylobacter, salmonella, staph, E. coli, and mold. And – contrary to popular belief – microwaving them may not kill all of the germs living in them. If you’re going to continue using them:
- Replace them every 1-2 weeks. If it starts to smell, throw it away.
- Never use them on surfaces that have touched raw meat or poultry (use paper towels instead).
- Keep sponges on an aerated surface to dry it out between uses.
- Don’t leave sponges at the bottom of a kitchen sink or in a pool of water.
2. Pick the Right Tools for Dish Duty
A dish brush is easier to rinse, dry out faster, and tend to have better scrubbing capabilities than sponges. When it’s not in use, store the brush upright in a dish rack or caddy.
When it comes to dish soap, you need something concentrated that cuts through grease and leaves hands moisturized. Don’t just take Puracy’s for it: Our product was named Business Insider’s Best Overall Dish Soap back in 2020.
Natural Products that Work
3. Do Dishes ASAP
Washing dishes immediately is way easier than dealing with stuck-on food bits. But there’s another bonus: It gets rid of the bacteria-laden organic matter that tends to attract pests. At the very least, give dishes a quick scrape and rinse before turning the kitchen lights off.
We recommend letting your dishes air dry instead of letting them sit on a dish towel. Between drying your hands, wiping countertops, and cleaning up spills, tea towels are notorious for holding onto bacteria.
4. Clean Your Sink Regularly
Daily wipe-downs may sound excessive but it's definitely the best way to clean your kitchen sink!
Scrub away residue with our Natural Surface Cleaner and a microfiber cloth (a gentle scrub brush is great for tough kitchen sink stains). Get into crevices around the faucet and rim. Next, rinse thoroughly with fresh, warm water and dry everything with another clean, microfiber towel.
Since bacteria prefers wet environments, keep your kitchen sink area dry. You can speed up the process by opening a nearby window or setting up a sink-side fan.
Puracy product that helps
Everyday Multi-Surface Cleaner
5. Disinfect Your Kitchen Sink
Take things one step further with our Disinfecting Surface Spray. This biodegradable, hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant doesn’t just kill more than 99.9% of germs, bacteria, and viruses – it also clears away grime while zapping odors.
Spray the kitchen sink until it’s wet , let it stand for 10 minutes, wipe clean with a microfiber towel, and you’re good to go!
Pro Tip: Disinfecting a kitchen sink is important after coming into direct contact with potentially pathogenic objects (like raw chicken or pet bowls).
6. Don't Forget About Cleaning the Garbage Disposal
Bacteria from old food waste can build up and cause quite the stink. To clean your garbage disposal, follow these simple steps:
- Pull out the splash guard (the black rubber panel at the top of the drain) and scrub it in hot, soapy water. It can also be placed on the top rack of your dishwasher.
- With the faucet and garbage disposal turned off, place 6-8 ice cubes, 1 TBSP of baking soda, half a thinly-sliced lemon, and 1 TBSP of baking soda in the chamber. Top with 6-8 more ice cubes.
- Run the disposal without water until the grinding noise stops.
- Let cold water run for 30-60 seconds.
The Best Kitchen Sink Cleaner Is 99.5% Natural
Your kitchen sink should be a safe place to grab a glass of water, wash your hands, and even brush your teeth (hey, life happens!). With a little TLC and a handful of Puracy products, the heart of your home will be happier and healthier.
Get started with our Natural Surface Cleaner. Designed to be used on any non-porous material, its plant-based formula erases goop, grime, and gunk. Guaranteed.
