How To Clean Sink Strainer: A Gross Yet Satisfying Cleaning Tutorial
If you're anything like me, you probably thought you had your kitchen sink cleaning routine down to a science. That was until I stumbled upon a mind-blowing video from Smart Fox that made me realize I was missing a crucial step – cleaning the sink strainer.
Trust me; it's both disgusting and oddly satisfying. So, grab a partner, let me walk you through the steps.
Get ready for a cleaner, more sanitized kitchen!
Tools and Materials:
- Paper towels
- Bleach (or vinegar, or baking soda)
- Rubber gloves
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Before we dive into the dirty work, find yourself a partner. This is a two-person job, and you'll soon see why. Your partner's main mission? Holding the tail piece of the drain in during the entire cleaning process to avoid a watery mess under your sink.
1. Unscrew the Sink Strainer Basket
I used the end of a spoon to unscrew the sink strainer. You could also use a coin or the edge of the the sink strainer basket.
It might take a bit of twisting due to the long screw. Make sure your partner has a tight grip on that drain pipe to prevent any unplanned waterworks.
2. Confront the Disgusting Truth
Behold, the moment of truth! Take a good look at the removed sink strainer, and if you're anything like me, prepare to be slightly horrified. It's okay; we're in this together.
3. Remove Gunk and Rinse
Arm yourself with paper towels and dispose of the majority of the gunk in the bin. Give it a good rinse to get rid of the surface nastiness.
4. Disinfect with Bleach (or Vinegar, or Baking Soda)
Now comes the heavy-duty part. Pour in some bleach (or opt for vinegar or baking soda) to disinfect the sink completely. With your partner still on drain duty, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it down.
5. Reassemble and Bleach the Sink
While your partner continues to hold the tail piece, screw the sink strainer back on. Finish off by giving the entire sink a bleach treatment and a thorough rinse.
More Cleaning Tips
How to Clean Kitchen Sink Strainer
And there you have it – a surprisingly simple yet oh-so-effective way to clean your sink strainer.
I was shocked at what lurked beneath mine, and now I'll be making this a regular part of my cleaning routine.
Have you tried this before? Share your experience or let me know if you have a go-to DIY solution for keeping your kitchen sink in tip-top shape!
Comments
Join the conversation
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My sink's drainer arrangement looks very different, but I appreciate the reminder to get at the nastiness! As for the idea about bleaching the grouting with paper towels wet with bleach, I have not tried that yet on bathroom sinks, but found it a great way to clean the grouting in my all-tiles kitchen counter-top. The only problem is that this eventually weakens the grout. But on the good side, in the end, I decided to re-grout, and this way, I was able to use a couple of old "minus" screwdrivers to gouge the old grout out to the point where there was room for more, new. For a long time, I had been putting of the horrible task of using narrow pointed drills to drill out the grout the way a handiman showed me. But after realizing what the bleach was doing, I just chose screwdrivers (bought cheaply at yard/estate sales) that were the exact width of the grouting. Easy-peasy from then on!
By the way, this may not be popular with everyone, but I have also taken to leaving a cloth (preferably microfiber) near bathroom sinks and using it to quickly wipe the sink dry after every use. The shine sticks around for several days without my having to use any special cleaners or soaps--just be sure to rinse the bowl well before giving it a swipe with the cloth.
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I have been trying to envision what the "tail piece" might look like, but since our sink and strainer are different from the one here, can't imagine what it could be. Just curious--and envious of the beautiful white surface that has been revealed by your cleaning. Mine is dingy stainless steel to the end.
Frequently asked questions
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