Tools

• A sink can present a cleaning dilemma due to its shape. The angled or rounded corners, edges along the countertop, fixtures and backsplash are places where food and germs can become stuck if routine maintenance is not performed. Using the right tools is key to reaching these hard-to-reach spaces for a total clean. Martha Stewart's online website suggests reserving a toothbrush for these nooks and crannies, as well as a soft cloth for rubbing and scrubbing. (Be sure the toothbrush is reserved only for cleaning. You might be to attach a silk flower to the toothbrush handle with electrical tape and store it with kitchen utensils. Someone will think twice before confusing it with their bedtime routine toothbrush.)
  
  

Cleaner Solutions

• There are various abrasive cleaners on the market that are advertised for kitchen sink cleaning, but you can make your own kitchen sink cleaning solution that will scour the toughest hard-water stains or dried-on messes. Real Simple suggests a cleaning solution modified from housekeeping solutions website FlyLady.net. Add 1 cup of bleach to a sink full of hot water. Let it soak for an hour, then rinse well. Martha Stewart online suggests mixing 1 part vinegar to 1 part water to use as a scrubbing agent on mineral deposit buildups. You can also use baking soda as an abrasive cleaner. Just apply with a soft cloth and a little water, rubbing until the surface is shiny. "Good Housekeeping" magazine's Heloise advises using some toothpaste and a soft cloth. You can shine up that metal in no time with the baking-soda base of common toothpaste.
  
  

Procedure

• Always start a good sink cleaning by boiling about a gallon of water. Fill the sink with the hot water and let it sit with the bleach as suggested for about an hour. Next, drain the sink, rinsing the bleach out completely. Next remove mineral deposits with the baking soda. Buff the sink with your soft cloths, and shine with a window cleaner if desired. Rinse the sink well and allow it to dry. Martha Stewart online also reminds you to periodically clean your drain by pouring hot water down it, deodorizing with 1/2 cup baking soda followed by 1/2 cup vinegar. Plug the drain, wait, then flush thoroughly. You can also run your garbage disposal with citrus peels and plenty of water to deodorize it.