How to clean a sink?
The kitchen sink, which comes into contact with water, greasy dirty dishes and food residues, as well as pots and pans, requires tactful and constant care. Her sloppy appearance can spoil the appetite of even the most unpretentious person in everyday life. Maintaining perfect cleanliness is the inevitable responsibility of every self-respecting housewife..
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General rules of care
In this matter, as in every routine work, the main thing is not to run. After washing the dishes, wipe the sink with a sponge and a cleaning agent, rinse generously with water, and then wipe dry with a clean cloth - that’s all the wisdom. Cleanliness, beauty, everything shines and sparkles, and until next time you can remain calm.
Cleaning the sink
Sinks come in a variety of materials. Therefore, there are care features that should not be neglected in order to extend the life of the kitchen “Cinderella”.
Metal
First, let's try to wash the most common option in our kitchens - a stainless steel sink. We will need:
- dishwashing liquid;
- soft sponge or cloth napkins;
- latex gloves.
Sink made of this material susceptible to oxidizing agents, so dark spots may appear on it. An effective remedy is bleach, which you just need to wipe the stain.It may happen that the area becomes too light and appears different from the main background. In this case, you should rub the entire surface with vinegar and leave for twenty minutes. Then wash with regular cleaning agent.
Less noticeable stains can be scrubbed off with regular soda.. But there is another – unexpected – method of cleaning: starch or potato decoction. If you pour this hot water over a darkened sink and let it sit, then the blackness will also disappear.
It happens that the sink is so dirty that you need to major cleansing. Then you have to work hard. First of all, you need to fill the drain hole and fill the container with hot water and add detergent. After cooling, drain the water and clean off the softened dirt with a hard sponge. Use a toothbrush and soapy water to reach hard-to-reach places and corrugated surfaces. Also Soaking in a soda-salt solution will help for softening old fat and mineral stone.
Ceramic
A sink made of durable, wear-resistant material is considered difficult to use, and therefore is not in great demand. But knowing the rules for caring for it, you can achieve a long period of use of this kitchen item. There are many household chemicals designed specifically for such sinks. The main thing is to follow the instructions, and then care will not be a burden.
There are also folk recipes for cleansing:
- Vinegar will help remove white deposits. Soak a rag in acid and place it on the dirty area. After half an hour of exposure, rinse with water;
- limescale marks can be cleaned with ammonia. Add a few drops to a glass of water and thoroughly treat the surface of the sink with the resulting liquid;
- Ammonia and hydrogen peroxide mixed 50/50 will help against rust.
- An interesting recipe using Coca-Cola, which should be used to treat stains from rusty plaque and leave for one hour. Then rinse with water and wipe with a sponge;
- stains from tea or coffee can be removed with lemon juice.
Glass
Such a sink is an exquisite piece of furniture that requires a certain amount of care. Soft sponges and rags are suitable for this. Do not place sharp objects in the sink or use hard brushes that can scratch the surface..
It is good to use a soap and soda solution, which will provide the most gentle cleaning. To prepare it, dissolve 1/2 a piece of laundry soap in one glass of hot water and add 3 tbsp. l. soda Apply the resulting mixture to the surface, leave for 15 minutes and rinse with warm water.
Cast iron
This sink is quite difficult to use, as it has a layer of enamel that requires delicate care. Household chemicals must contain a minimum amount of alkali and no acids. Dry mustard cleanses perfectly; it should be applied to dirt for half an hour and then washed off. It is necessary to completely avoid the use of metal scrapers, brushes and aggressive detergents. If treated with care, such a sink can last for more than half a century.
Acrylic
Keeping this sink clean is not difficult at all. Just never use:
- metal brushes;
- products containing chlorine, ammonia, acetone, abrasive components;
- washing powders;
- dry cleaning. Only using water.
Numerous sink cleaning products are quite applicable to acrylic ones. The main condition is the absence of aggressive components.
Stone
Sinks made of natural stone (granite) are aesthetically pleasing and multifunctional. The rules for caring for them are simple: ordinary kitchen care product, without acids, alkali and chlorine, gel or creamy consistency, without abrasive particles. The main disadvantage of this coating is the formation of limescale, which can be prevented by wiping the surface dry every day. At the slightest stain, use a sponge and dishwashing solution.
Porcelain stoneware
Sinks made from artificial stone resistant to solvents, acid and alkaline compounds. To remove calcium deposits, you can even use hydrochloric acid, without forgetting to strictly follow the instructions and precautions. Stains can also be removed using acetone, gasoline or alcohol, using a stiff brush.
How to treat a sink drain?
If the sink is clogged, in the absence of special means, you can use an equally effective folk method that will allow you to use the sink until radical cleaning.
Pour half a pack of soda into the drain and fill it with a glass of acetic acid diluted with water (50 to 50). Plug the drain hole and let sit for two hours. Then pour five liters of boiling water into it.
This procedure, of course, will not eliminate existing sewer “blockages,” but it will help break through the grease plug and make it possible to use the sink.