Follow These Three Tips to Keep Your Kitchen Sink Sparkling 24/7

After a meal, scrubbing your dishes clean is a must. Post-wash, you should do the same to their temporary home—it's time to get your kitchen sink clean and sparkling again. "Dried food is a combination of starch, protein, and sugars that can adhere to the edge of the sink, making it difficult to clean," says Julie Utschig, of Caldrea R&D. "This combination, mixed with deposits from hard water, can produce buildup." Luckily, it is very possible to wipe these nuisances away. Ahead, Utschig explains exactly how to do so.

Regular sink and drain maintenance matters.

"Hot soapy water and a multi-surface cleaner with a sponge should be enough to gently remove any food," Utschig explains. "To maintain a clean sink, give yours a quick scrub after doing the dishes with hot water and your favorite dish soap." And don't forget about your drain, which is an essential part of the sink that deserves your attention. Maintain it by pouring in a half-cup of baking soda, followed by a half-cup of white vinegar; then cover the drain with a wet rag. After five minutes have passed, pour boiling water down to unclog buildup and rid the piping of any odors.

Build an effective product arsenal.

Maintaining a freshly cleaned, sparkling sink can seem like a daunting task, but it's definitely doable with the correct products. Plus, with regular wipe-downs, you can prevent future germs and residue from building up in the first place. "Recommended supplies include liquid dish soap, a gentle multi-surface cleaner, baking soda, white vinegar, and a sponge," Utschig explains. "Hot water mixed with dishwashing liquid, like Ginger Pomelo Dish Soap ($10, caldrea.com), should clean most sinks and make them shine!"

Take special care with stainless-steel or stone sinks.

When getting your stainless-steel station back in shape, Utschig says to skip the sponge and use a softer textile, instead. "We recommend soaking a rag in warm water with an all-purpose cleaning liquid," she shares. "Rub the rag with the grain to avoid scratches and stay away from abrasive cleaners, as they can damage your sink." Take the same level of care with stone iterations: "Avoid using lemon juice and vinegar on surfaces made of granite, marble, or limestone," she adds. "Simply use warm water and dishwashing liquid to keep them clean." And her final expert-approved tip to making your sink shine, whatever its medium? If you want to avoid water marks, dry the surface thoroughly after each and every wash.