Have you ever been greeted with a funky odor when you entered your kitchen, but you can’t seem to trace its source? If there is one part of the kitchen that probably gets the least attention, it is the kitchen sink drain.
Many people wash their kitchen sinks after cooking or washing dishes but forget the drain also needs cleaning. Cleaning your kitchen sink drain is not a once-in-a-while activity. It is an essential weekly chore. The procedure is easy and doesn’t require you to have any expertise or special skills at all.
All of the oil, food debris, grime, and slime that goes down the kitchen drain could sometimes clog it or get clumped around the inner walls of the sink drain. As a result, it could affect the smooth flow of water through the drain. Furthermore, it facilitates the growth of bacteria in the sink drain and causes it to produce the unpleasant odor you perceive. So, cleaning your kitchen drain is not negotiable.
Clear the sink
The first step to cleaning your kitchen sink drain is to clear the sink, of course. Ensure that there are no plates or food debris in the sink. Afterward, give your sink a proper wash to ensure it is free from oily deposits.
Protect yourself
Depending on your skin type, some materials used in cleaning a sink drain could harm your skin. To prevent your skin from getting irritated by these materials, it is ideal to put on rubber gloves. Wearing a nose mask may also be necessary for people who may be allergic to strong odors.
The equipment and materials needed to clean a kitchen sink depend on the type of kitchen sink being cleaned. To clean a white kitchen sink drain, different materials are used compared to those used for stainless steel kitchen sink drains.
Cleaning The stainless steel sink
The most commonly used sink is the stainless steel sink. Vinegar, baking soda, and dishwashing soap are used for cleaning this type of sink.
Combining vinegar, baking soda, and dishwashing soap does a great cleaning job. This combination is a chemical-free, pocket-friendly alternative to commercially made cleaners. Better still, it works effectively to clean your kitchen sink drain.
Pour the mixture through the kitchen drain until you hear a fizz sound like a can of soda when opened. This fizz sound signals that the cleaning process has begun.
Please refrain from rinsing the sink immediately. Allow the mixture to settle in the drain for an additional thirty minutes before flushing it away with warm water. Avoid using hot water, as it can potentially melt the drain pipe, leading to blockages and more significant issues.
Both vinegar and baking soda work well to remove stains and cut through grease. The vinegar helps break down the baking soda to release carbon dioxide. This gas is what eventually helps remove those plaques and debris from your drain.
Cleaning The white kitchen sink
For a white kitchen sink, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda are preferred. This is another set of cleaning materials that is affordable and easy to get.
Pour three tablespoons of baking soda into the opening of the sink drain or the garbage disposal and add a quantifiable amount (about one-quarter of a cup) of hydrogen peroxide to it. Allow the mix to remain in the drain for about fifteen minutes, and then rinse with warm water.
Like the vinegar and baking soda combination, this combination also releases carbon dioxide gas which helps break apart grease from surfaces. Allowing water to run through the drain flushes those clumps of grease, now broken apart, down and out of the drain.
Using Commercially-Made Drain Cleaners
If you prefer using commercially made drain cleaners, it’s crucial to avoid using different ones simultaneously, as this can result in the release of toxic fumes that may harm your health. Always follow the instructions provided on the bottle when using these cleaners.
Additionally, avoid inserting items such as broomsticks through the holes at the top of the sink’s garbage disposal. This action may result in the item breaking inside the sink, potentially worsening the issue. Instead, consider using a soft brush to scrub through the sink’s garbage disposal, which can be more effective and safer
The discoloration problem can be solved by getting a good cleaning spray and scrubbing it into your sink.
Solving odor problems
Sometimes, cleaning the sink may not eliminate the unpleasant odor emanating from the drain right away. In such cases, employing a combination of lemon, salt, and ice can effectively address the issue.
Add two tablespoons of salt, about ten ice cubes, and a slice of fresh lemon to the opening of the sink drain and allow water to run over it until all the ice is melted and drained away. The odor-causing bacteria will be effectively washed away, leaving your kitchen sink drain odor-free.
Preventive Care
Care for your kitchen sink drain can also be preventive. Another way to keep your drain clean is to protect it from those things that could stink it up. For example, clearing your plates before dropping them in the sink would go a long way in preventing food debris from hanging around your sink drain. It also saves you from having a clogged pipe.
Also, avoid pouring oil and other greasy items into the sink directly. These greasy substances end up solidifying in the drain and clogging it up. Eventually, it stinks up your drain. If you have excess oil to dispose of, freezing it before throwing it in the bin is a better option. Oil-stained plates should be cleaned with a paper towel before being dropped in the sink.
As mentioned earlier, cleaning your kitchen sink drain should not be a monthly or yearly activity. It is an essential hygiene activity for your kitchen. It is not time-wasting, and you do not have to break the bank to get it done. These remedies also work well for pretty much any other sink drain in your house.
