How to Deep Clean a Kitchen Sink

The kitchen sink is a workhorse in most homes, making it a prime spot for bacteria, grime, soap scum buildup, and hard water stains, among other messes. Properly cleaning a kitchen sink can help you remove stubborn stains like these as well as lingering odors. Whether your kitchen sink is stainless steel, porcelain, or another material, our cleaning experts are here with tips on how to best and most thoroughly clean a kitchen sink.

Introduction to sink drain cleaning

To clean a kitchen sink, starting with the drain is a good place to begin. Your drain is the exit door for food scraps and murky water, and if not cleaned regularly, it can harbor unpleasant odors and grime. Follow these tips on how to clean a sink drain.

Why regular drain cleaning is important

Keeping your sink drain clean prevents clogs, reduces odors, and extends the life of your plumbing. Regular maintenance ensures smooth drainage and a hygienic environment in your home.

Common signs it’s time to clean your sink drain

• Unpleasant odors
• Built up residue
• Fruit flies
• Mold or mildew growth

Common signs of a clogged drain

• Slow-draining water
• Unpleasant odors
• Gurgling sounds
• Standing water in the sink

Preparing to clean the sink and drain

Before tackling your sink and sink drain, make sure you’re prepared with a plan. Below, you’ll find the tools and materials, along with safety tips, for an effective sink drain cleaning process.

Tools and materials

There are several cleaning methods you can employ to clean your kitchen sink drain. From deep cleaning with a steam cleaner to DIY solutions using boiling water and baking soda, continue reading below to learn how to clean a kitchen sink drain.

Safety precautions and tips

• Consider wearing gloves to protect your hands.
• Use caution when handling boiling water to avoid burns.
• Ensure proper ventilation if using chemical cleaners.

Steam cleaner method for sink drains

A handheld cleaning device, like the Steam Shot™ OmniReach™ portable hand steamer, is one go-to tool for tackling unpleasant odors, grime, and buildup living in your kitchen sink. Steam cleaners leverage the power of hot steam to lift and remove embedded grime without the need for harsh chemicals, offering an eco-friendly cleaning option. Here’s a step-by-step playbook on how to clean a kitchen sink drain with a handheld steam cleaner.

Materials needed

• Handheld steam cleaner, such as the Steam Shot™ OmniReach™ portable hand steamer
• Nozzle tool
• Brush tool
• Gloves (optional)

Step 1: Prepare the sink area

Before powering up your steam cleaner, prepare your sink by removing any dishes, food scraps, or debris. Then, run the sink and the garbage disposal to allow loose particles to drain.

Step 2: Set up your steam cleaner

Prepare your steam cleaner by filling the tank with distilled water up to the marked line on the provided measuring cup and plugging it in. The red indicator light will turn off when the steam is ready. When using a steam cleaner, make sure to keep your face, hands, and body away from the hot steam to avoid potential burns or irritation—never point a steam product towards yourself or someone else.

Step 3: Position the nozzle

Attach  the nozzle  tool to direct the steam where it is needed most. The Steam Shot™ OmniReach™ steamer comes with several other attachments, including three round detail bristle brushes, a flat scraping tool, and an angle concentrator tool.

Step 4: Apply steam

Place the nozzle close to the drain opening to loosen grease and debris and press the trigger all the way down. Move the nozzle around the drain and watch the heat loosen grease, soap scum, or food buildup in the area. The powerful steam of the Steam Shot™ OmniReach™ steamer cleans and sanitizes at the same time, killing 99.9% of germs¹ and bacteria¹ using only water for a natural clean that’s safe for homes with children and pets when used as directed.

Step 5: Use a brush attachment

If any gunk remains on your sink or sink drain, attach a round brush to the nozzle tool. Repeat the steam cleaning process, but press the brush against the sink to loosen any remaining stuck-on debris.

Step 6: Rinse the drain

After steam cleaning, finish by running hot water to flush away loosened particles. If you used a brush attachment with your steam cleaner, rinse that as well. This method can also be used to clean other kitchen surfaces, including most countertops, appliance fronts and interiors, drawer pulls and knobs, and more. (Check the individual asset’s manufacturer cleaning instructions for more information.)

DIY methods to clean a sink drain

There are several do-it-yourself hand cleaning methods you can try to clean your kitchen sink and drain. These utilize everyday items, including boiling water, vinegar, and baking soda. However, the results for DIY methods can vary, and are not endorsed by our cleaning experts. Some DIY cleaning methods may cause harm to surfaces or cause other damage.

Using boiling water

Some people say that pouring boiling water down a kitchen sink drain may help to dissolve grease and soap buildup and clear minor clogs.

Materials needed

• Kettle or pot
• Water

Step 1: Boil water

Boil a kettle or pot of water.

Step 2: Pour the boiling water

Slowly and carefully, pour the boiling water directly into the drain in small stages to avoid splashes. Boiling water can cause burns – and so can its steam – so be very careful if you try this method.

Step 3: Repeat if necessary

Repeat this process two to three times for optimal results. Boiling water may be effective for breaking down grease and dislodging minor clogs, especially in kitchen sink drains, although it’s difficult to apply the water in a targeted way, so you may need to try an additional cleaning method.

The baking soda and vinegar method

Combining baking soda with vinegar creates a fizzing reaction that some people believe can break down soap scum, food debris, and other particles that cause minor clogs and odors.

However, when you combine the two ingredients, the chemical reaction can cancel out their properties, making this a sink cleaning method our chemists do not endorse.

“When you combine ingredients at home, you often get a chemical reaction that’s either harmful or that causes the ingredients to cancel out each other out,” says BISSELL Principal Chemist Jay Kellis, who has designed cleaning solutions for more than 30 years. “People think that in combining things, it’s one plus one equals two. But it turns out that in some cases it's one minus one equals zero.”

Materials needed

• ½ cup baking soda
• 1 cup vinegar
• Hot or boiling water

Step 1: Pour baking soda

Pour ½ cup of baking soda directly into the drain.

Step 2: Add vinegar

Follow with 1 cup of vinegar. Let the drain sit for 10 to 15 minutes. You may see or hear fizzing from the drain.

Step 3: Flush with boiling water

Pour hot or boiling water into the drain to clear the solution. Be careful when handling boiling water, as the water and its steam can burn.

The salt and baking soda technique

Due to its gritty texture, salt can act as a mild abrasive to loosen and break up grease and debris buildup while baking soda helps neutralize odors and loosen buildup. Some people believe that pouring this mixture into a kitchen sink will effectively dissolve and remove gunk. However, without scrubbing sink and drain, some of the cleaning effects may not be achieved.

Materials needed

• ½ cup salt
• ½ cup baking soda
• Hot or boiling water

Step 1: Mix salt and baking soda

Combine equal parts salt and baking soda and pour the mixture into the drain.

Step 2: Let it sit

Allow the mixture to sit overnight to loosen debris.

Step 3: Flush with boiling water

Clear the drain by flushing with hot or boiling water. Be careful if you use boiling water, which can cause burns.

Cleaning and clearing drains with a plumber’s snake

When dealing with a clogged kitchen or bathroom sink, a plumber’s snake can break up residue stuck in the sink drain to allow water to run freely. A plumber’s snake is a coiled metal cable that is inserted down a drain to break up or remove blockages, such as built-up soap residue and food scraps. A plumber’s snake can be found at most hardware stores.

Materials needed

• Plumber’s snake
• Bucket

Step 1: Insert the snake

Feed the plumber’s snake into the drain, turning the handle to navigate curves.

Step 2: Remove debris

Pull out the snake, clearing any gunk or hair attached to it.

Step 3: Flush with water

Run hot water to ensure the drain is clear and to rinse any dislodged particles from the drain and sink. Follow with a steam cleaner to tackle any residual gunk and debris.

Maintaining a clean sink drain

Regular maintenance can keep your sink clean, unclogged, and smelling fresh. Our experts recommend these steps to keep your sink and drain working well.

Regular maintenance tips

• Run hot water after every use – use the handheld sprayer to rinse food particles stuck to the sides of the sink.
• Use a drain strainer to catch debris or run the garbage disposal regularly.
• Avoid pouring grease and oil down the drain. Instead, pour it in a container for disposal.
• Disinfect the sink weekly, such as with a steam cleaner. Clean more frequently when it comes into contact with potential contaminants, such as raw meat.

Natural sink and drain cleaning preventive care

Natural chemical-free steam cleaning allows you to maintain ready-to-use kitchen sink without harsh chemicals that might not be safe for homes with pets or children.

Cleaning the sink after drain maintenance

There are times you may need to clean your kitchen sink and drain after routine maintenance or a deeper plumbing issue. For instance, if a plumber comes to work on your sink drain, or if you use a plumber’s snake to unclog a drain, your sink may wind up dirty. In these moments, you want to give your kitchen sink a final clean after removing any blockages or residue.

Materials needed

• Dish soap
• Sponge
• Disinfectant spray
• Steam cleaner

Step 1: Wash the sink

Use dish soap and a sponge to clean the sink's surface. Or, use a steam cleaner and brush attachment to break up buildup. Read the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you can use a steam cleaner before starting.

Step 2: Disinfect the sink

If you are using a sponge to clean your sink, spray disinfectant and wipe with a clean cloth or sponge to ensure hygiene. If you use a steam cleaner you can skip this step – the steam is naturally sanitizing, killing 99.9% of germs¹ and bacteria¹ using only water for a natural clean. that’s safe for homes with children and pets when used as directed.

Troubleshooting common drain issues

Slow draining water

Check for partial blockages. You may be able to clear them with boiling water or a plumber’s snake.

Persistent odors

Natural remedies for ridding a sink drain of foul odors include pouring baking soda down the drain or running lemon slices through the garbage disposal.

Complete blockages

Severe clogs may require professional assistance.

When to call a professional

Unfortunately, not every clogged or smelly sink can be fixed on your own. In some cases, a professional might be the only answer.

Identifying serious drain problems

If multiple drains are clogged or the issue persists even after using a plumber’s snake or one of the DIY methods mentioned above, it may indicate a larger plumbing problem. If you notice any leaks or visible damage, such as a crack, it’s also best to call a professional to avoid further damage.

Finding a reliable plumber

A reputable plumber will ensure quality work and avoid costly mistakes. To find a plumber you can rely on, research reviews and credentials or reach out to friends or family in your area to get a recommendation for a trusted plumber. If your issue isn’t an emergency, it’s wise to get estimates from several plumbers to compare costs and experience.

Conclusion

Cleaning your kitchen sink can bring some harmony to the kitchen, including a better smell and a more pleasant place to work and wash dishes and hands. With our expert-recommended kitchen sink cleaning tips, you can effectively remove the soap scum, food buildup, and grime that cause odors and blockages and keep water draining smoothly.

Recap of key points

• Regular maintenance prevents major clogs.
• A handheld steam cleaner can target hard-to-reach areas in your sink while effectively loosening and removing stubborn grime and buildup.
• DIY cleaning methods like boiling water and baking soda are eco-friendly.
• A plumber’s snake can reach far down in your kitchen sink drain to remove clogs such as food scraps.

Encouragement for regular maintenance

Stay proactive with regular cleaning to keep your drains functioning efficiently. Each time you use your sink, run hot water for a few seconds to allow particles to drain. Regularly steam clean or wipe down your sink with a disinfectant spray to ensure hygiene.