How to Clean a Kitchen Sink and Banish Drain Smells

The kitchen sink is one of the dirtiest places in the home and also one of the most visible. Regular cleaning prevents stains and smells.

By the Ample Cleaners team · 5 October 2026 · 3 min read

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Clean the sink

  • Stainless steel: wash with washing-up liquid, rub in the direction of the grain, and buff dry
  • Ceramic or porcelain: use a non-scratch cream cleaner and a soft sponge
  • Limescale: use white vinegar on a cloth, leave for a few minutes, then rinse
  • Do not leave wet cloths or metal items sitting in the sink

Freshen the drain

  1. Remove food debris from the plughole and strainer
  2. Pour a kettle of hot water down the drain
  3. Add a spoonful of bicarbonate of soda, followed by a cup of white vinegar, and leave it to fizz for a few minutes
  4. Flush with hot water

When to get help

A drain that stays slow or smelly after cleaning may be blocked further down, and a plumber is the safer option than strong chemicals.

Common questions

Can I use bleach in a kitchen sink?

Use it sparingly and never mixed with other products. Washing-up liquid and a good rinse handle most jobs.

Would you rather we did it for you?

Ample Cleaners offers house cleaning across Barking, Dagenham, Romford, Ilford and surrounding areas, with DBS-checked cleaners and a fixed price.

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