How to Clean a Sink Without Harsh Chemicals

Person wearing a pink rubber glove cleaning a sink with a sponge
Store-bought cleaning chemicals tend to give off a harsh aroma. Plus, if you plan to bathe your baby in the kitchen sink, you don’t want abrasive products to come anywhere near your child’s sensitive skin. Your best bet is to try natural sink cleaning methods instead. Here’s how to use baking soda to clean the sink, along with tips to keep your sink looking great between cleanings with minimal effort.

4 Ways to Clean the Kitchen Sink with Natural Cleaners

Rinse out the sink to remove large food particles and smears. Sprinkle the sink and faucet with a generous quantity of baking soda. Then, scrub with a slightly damp sponge. (Avoid steel wool or pumice stones, which are abrasive and may scratch up your sink.) The baking soda will form a clumpy paste that removes stubborn stuck-on food and lingering odors. Rinse the sponge and sink with cold water to wash away any lingering debris.

If any tough stains linger, sprinkle the sink with baking soda again. This time, add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice to your sponge before scrubbing.

Another option is to slightly dampen the baking soda sprinkled around the sink to form a paste. Then, pour a little vinegar onto the paste. This is an effective method for overall cleaning as well as removing rust. Allow the concoction to bubble and fizz. After five minutes, wipe out the sink with a wet sponge and wash all debris down the drain. If the stain lingers, reapply the vinegar and allow it to sit for 30 minutes.

Cut a lemon in half and set it on a badly stained spot in your sink. Let the mild acid work anywhere from several minutes to half an hour. Then, scrub the area with the lemon followed by a damp sponge.

Maintain a Clean Sink without Harsh Chemicals

All it takes is mere seconds at the end of your day to keep the kitchen sink looking clean and smelling fresh. Simply follow the first cleaning tip above—sprinkle the sink with baking soda and scrub it with a slightly damp sponge—every night before bed, and you should never have to deal with sink stains.

After performing the baking soda cleaning trick, wipe the sink with a cloth dampened by a few drops of lemon essential oil. This leaves your sink smelling sweet, and the oil protects against future stains and buildup.

Also, make sure you don’t set anything that’s bound to leave a stain in the kitchen sink overnight. This includes tea bags, coffee grounds, wine, and other dark substances. Rinse the basin thoroughly after disposing of anything with staining properties.

To avoid scratches and gouges that can’t be wiped clean, you may want to line the sink with a plastic mat. To prevent mold growth, remove and clean under the mat daily. A quick rinse and wipe with some baking soda should be all you need.

Contact Molly Maid for Help

Cleaning the kitchen sink with baking soda is one cleaning hack you’ll love to try! However, if you don’t have time to keep up with all your chores around the house, Molly Maid can help. Our insured, licensed, and uniformed team members provide professional cleaning services to anyone who wants a spotless, fresh-smelling home without all the effort. Let us professionally clean your kitchen sink and perform any other household chores you don’t want to do yourself.

To arrange professional house cleaning in your area, please contact your local Molly Maid today for a free estimate!