Sinks are exposed to many different substances and materials every day. In this multi-purpose device, people wash their hands, brush their teeth, wash dishes, prepare food and dispose of leftover food. Due to the high frequency of use, sinks quickly become dirty and therefore need to be cleaned regularly to prevent the formation of bacteria. But how often should you clean the sink to avoid this? Read on to find out what experts recommend for cleaning bathroom and kitchen sinks and the signs that it's time for a thorough scrub.
- Jonathan Thigpen is co-founder and owner of Transparent Cleaning, a cleaning services company.
- Toby Schultz is CEO and co-founder of Maid2Match, an online cleaning platform that connects users with local certified cleaners.
- Danny Pen is president of New Era Plumbing & HVAC, a locally owned plumbing and HVAC company.
How often should you clean your sink?
To determine the right cleaning frequency for your sink, you need to consider several factors. “How often you need to scrub your sink depends on how often you use it, what it's made of, and the quality of the water, among other things,” says Pen , need to be cleaned more frequently. To avoid buildup that may be difficult to remove in the future, experts recommend cleaning your sink regularly using a routine that works for you.
“To prevent bacteria buildup, we recommend cleaning your sink regularly at least once a week and doing a more thorough, disinfecting cleaning once a month,” says Jonathon Thigpen, co-founder and owner of Transparent Cleaning. This suggestion may vary depending on the intended use for kitchen and bathroom sinks.
Location and usage issues
For example, bathroom sinks can be cleaned every time the bathroom is cleaned. Unless there is major contamination, such as haircuts or hair dye, you should clean the bathroom sink once a week along with the rest of the room to keep bacteria away and keep the sink looking fresh.
“However, you see a lot more dirt, debris and bacteria on kitchen sinks every day,” says Toby Schulz, CEO and co-founder of Maid2Match in Brisbane, Australia. “If you cook or use your kitchen every day, you also need to clean your kitchen sink every day,” he says. He also recommends cleaning your sink immediately if it comes into contact with raw meat.
Thoroughly clean certain areas
For a thorough cleaning, be sure to clean the sink drain and the area beneath it.
“Wipe the drain every day or even after each use with a cloth (preferably microfiber) or a soft sponge,” says Danny Pen, president of New Era Plumbing & HVAC. “It's simple, but it prevents water stains, reduces soap scum and minimizes bacterial growth,” he adds. Also, every three months, thoroughly clean the entire sink in easy-to-miss areas, such as: B. on faucet aerators and under the edges of the sink.
Check the material's cleaning protocol
The type of material your sink is made of also affects the sink cleaning schedule.
“Stainless steel sinks will stay in better shape if they're given a quick rinse every day to prevent water stains and small scratches, while porcelain sinks don't need to be cleaned as often but may need a more thorough cleaning because they stain more easily,” says Pen.
Consider the hardness of your water
Water hardness also plays a role in when your sink should be cleaned. The harder the water, the more minerals such as magnesium and calcium it contains. This leads to more visible stains and water buildup on the sink, requiring more frequent cleaning.
“Cleaning your sink weekly not only prevents health risks like bacteria, but also keeps your sink looking aesthetically pleasing by preventing hard water stains or limescale buildup and discoloration,” says Thigpen.
Signs that your sink needs cleaning
Although it's sometimes easy to miss, there are some signs that a sink needs cleaning. “Some signs that it's time to clean your sink are if you notice a ring of dirt stuck to the edge or bottom of your sink, or if you smell odors,” says Thigpen.
Unpleasant smells often come from the drain and can be removed with baking soda. “If there's a warm, musty smell when hot water is running, it's often due to bacteria in residue that's activated by heat – this can be an early sign to clean, even if the sink seems fine,” says Pen.
Also look for water buildup around the faucet, dirt around the fixtures, or stubborn water stains that indicate soap scum buildup. If you notice slow drainage, it may be time to clean the pipes to clear a possible clog.