Kitchen Sink: As Good as New

The kitchen sink is one of the most noticeable features in the kitchen. Aside from its eye-catching finishes, it also happens to be one of the most practical fixtures in the kitchen. Unfortunately, being used all the time also means it is one of the most difficult to maintain. Having it clean and polished all the time is important for health and aesthetically-appealing kitchen.

A lot of people dream of changing the sink altogether because of the stains it has. Opting to replace a sink can be costly. Most people overlook the fact that cleaning a kitchen sink and its maintenance is simpler and cheaper. Most are apprehensive of the expenses brought about hiring people to do the job, when they can do it themselves. Cleaning and maintenance of a kitchen sink is not as cumbersome as people have imagined.

The first obvious thing to do is empty out the sink. Remove any sink mats or plastic drains over the metal drain and set it aside. Wash off any food particles that are left behind from the last wash until you are left with nothing but the stains you have to remove.

Use any common abrasive cleaning agent seen on television. The differences abrasive cleaning agents have are minimal that the brand rarely matters. Sprinkle several scoops filled to the top over the entire sink. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. Using the coarse side of the sponge, rub the entirety of the sink, mostly concentrating on the areas with the heaviest stains. Turn the faucet on to wash down and see how much of the stains have been removed. If there is a need to, do the same thing all over again until you have completely restored the sink.

Another common problem is having a clogged drain. Run hot water through the drain after each use, this solves the basic problem of accumulated vegetable matter and grease in the drain. Drain cleaners can be used for more serious cases. The best thing to do for maintenance is to use them at least once a month even if the sink hasn't caused any problems yet. Make sure to read the instructions thoroughly before using them.

For a more natural drain cleaner, put a handful of baking soda into the drain and pour a cup of vinegar over it. The baking soda is basic while the vinegar is acidic so they will have a corresponding reaction that would be enough to solve minor clogged problems.

Putting a handful of baking soda into the kitchen drain and then having hot water run through it at least once a week can be done to control odor. Lemon slices can also be used to keep the rest of the sink smelling fresh and odor-free. Wiping the sink dry after each use would do a lot in keeping the sink polished and stain-free. Droplets left on the stainless steel can spot and discolor the sink over time. Dealing with maintenance of a kitchen sink does not have to be a laborious task as long as it is done routinely.