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Cleaning Tips

Tips for a Cleaner Sink: Eco-Friendly Cleaning Guide

Discover professional tips for keeping your kitchen sink spotless and hygienic. Learn eco-friendly cleaning methods to remove limescale, rust, and stains for a sparkling clean sink every day.

Published 30 July 2018
5 min read
By St Anne's Team
St Anne's Team

St Anne's Team

Housekeeping Experts

10+ years
Tips for a Cleaner Sink: Eco-Friendly Cleaning Guide

A kitchen sink needs a regular deep clean for hygienic reasons as it gets used every day. Here are some tips for a cleaner sink with eco-friendly cleaning tips, when cleaning your kitchen sink to make it limescale free and sparkle:

Tips for a Cleaner Sink

1. Lemon Juice for Limescale Removal

Lemon juice is a natural corrosive that can be used to remove limescale deposits from chrome kitchen and bathrooms taps. For best results rub half a lemon over the surface and leave for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly. For persistent limescale repeat as necessary.

Professional Lemon Cleaning Technique:

  • Cut a fresh lemon in half
  • Rub the cut side directly on limescale deposits
  • Let sit for 5-10 minutes
  • Scrub gently with a soft brush
  • Rinse thoroughly with warm water
  • Dry with a microfiber cloth

2. White Vinegar for Deep Cleaning

Distilled white vinegar is also excellent for removing limescale from chrome and stainless steel. Soak paper towels in the white vinegar and wrap around the taps. Leave for a few hours (ideally overnight), then rinse thoroughly. This is also a great way to remove watermarks from stainless steel sinks and drainers. Wipe dry with a good quality micro-fibre cloth or a tea towel.

Vinegar Cleaning Process:

  • Soak paper towels in white vinegar
  • Wrap around faucets and fixtures
  • Leave overnight for best results
  • Remove towels and rinse thoroughly
  • Polish with microfiber cloth
  • Repeat weekly for maintenance

3. Rust Mark Removal

To remove rust marks from stainless steel sinks, run with a little lighter fluid. For example, WD-40 works well too to remove any harsher marks. Just spray this with a cloth and then rinse thoroughly. For safety, some lighter fluids can be highly flammable and may be toxic to the environment.

Safe Rust Removal:

  • Use WD-40 or similar products
  • Apply with a clean cloth
  • Let sit for a few minutes
  • Wipe away gently
  • Rinse thoroughly with soap and water
  • Ventilate area well during use

4. Ceramic Sink Restoration

Ceramic sinks get discoloured easily. To overcome this and restore whiteness, fill the sink with cold water, add a cupful of bleach and leave to soak. Mr Clean Magic Eraser is a good cleaning product to use if you find it difficult to remove any scratches or stains and also leaves your sink smelling fresh.

Ceramic Sink Deep Clean:

  • Fill sink with cold water
  • Add one cup of bleach
  • Let soak for 30 minutes
  • Scrub with soft brush
  • Rinse thoroughly
  • Use Magic Eraser for stubborn stains
  • Polish dry with clean cloth

5. Plug Holes and Overflows

Don't forget plug holes and overflows. This is where trapped food and oil can get left behind, which can make your sink looking dirty or leaving a bad smell. Use a good scrubber to scrub inside the plug hole. To really get a sparkle in some instances you can remove the plug hole and treat separately. Make sure you don't drop or lose any screws.

Drain Cleaning Process:

  • Remove visible debris from drain
  • Use a drain brush or old toothbrush
  • Scrub inside the overflow holes
  • Remove and clean the drain stopper
  • Soak in vinegar and baking soda solution
  • Reassemble carefully

Additional Professional Sink Cleaning Tips:

Daily Maintenance

  • Wipe down sink after each use
  • Rinse away food particles immediately
  • Use mild dish soap for regular cleaning
  • Dry with microfiber cloth to prevent water spots
  • Keep sink area organized and clutter-free

Weekly Deep Clean

  • Clean all fixtures and faucets
  • Scrub sink basin thoroughly
  • Clean around sink edges and caulking
  • Sanitize with appropriate cleaners
  • Polish chrome and stainless steel

Monthly Maintenance

  • Deep clean drains and overflow
  • Check for leaks or damage
  • Clean and sanitize sink accessories
  • Inspect caulking and grout
  • Replace worn cleaning tools

Eco-Friendly Alternatives

  • Use baking soda and vinegar instead of harsh chemicals
  • Make your own cleaning solutions
  • Use reusable cleaning cloths
  • Choose biodegradable products
  • Implement water-saving practices

Stain Prevention

  • Rinse dishes thoroughly before washing
  • Use sink strainers to catch debris
  • Clean up spills immediately
  • Avoid leaving wet items in sink
  • Maintain proper ventilation

Safety Considerations

  • Always wear gloves when using chemicals
  • Ensure proper ventilation
  • Keep cleaning products away from children
  • Read all product labels carefully
  • Use appropriate tools for each surface

Professional Tools and Supplies

  • Microfiber cloths for polishing
  • Soft-bristled brushes for scrubbing
  • Non-abrasive cleaning pads
  • Quality cleaning solutions
  • Protective gloves and safety equipment

Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • Persistent limescale: Use stronger vinegar solution or commercial descaler
  • Stubborn stains: Try baking soda paste or specialized cleaners
  • Scratches: Use appropriate polishing compounds
  • Odors: Clean drains thoroughly and use deodorizing products
  • Water spots: Dry immediately after cleaning

Seasonal Care

  • Spring: Deep clean and sanitize entire sink area
  • Summer: Focus on preventing mold and mildew
  • Fall: Prepare for increased holiday usage
  • Winter: Maintain regular cleaning schedule

If you require further help or enquiries regarding any of our services, don't hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have via:

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 020 3670 9997

Topics covered:

#sink cleaning#kitchen cleaning#limescale removal#eco-friendly cleaning#stain removal#housekeeping#cleaning tips#hygiene