Homemade Sink Cleaner: Natural Recipes for a Sparkling Clean Sink
Hey there, friends! 👋
I don’t know about you, but my kitchen sink gets dirty fast. Between washing dishes, rinsing veggies, and dumping who-knows-what down there, it can go from shiny to grimy in what feels like seconds.
And honestly, no one likes looking at a dull, stained sink—it kind of throws off the whole “clean kitchen” vibe, right?
For a while, I was using regular store-bought sink cleaners, but I found myself wanting something a bit more eco-friendly (and cost-effective) that I could make at home.
So, I started experimenting, and now I’ve got a homemade sink cleaner recipe that works like a charm! It’s super easy to whip up, uses natural ingredients, and leaves my sink sparkling clean every time.
Let me walk you through how I do it. You’re going to love it!
Why I Prefer Homemade Sink Cleaner
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about why I switched to a homemade cleaner. The sinks in my kitchen and bathroom take a lot of abuse—soap scum, food residue, hard water stains… the works! I wanted something tough on grime but gentle on the environment (and my nose—those chemical cleaners can be pretty harsh!).
With this DIY cleaner, I know exactly what’s going down my drain—no nasty chemicals, no overpowering scents—just good, old-fashioned cleaning power from ingredients I already have at home. Plus, it’s safe to use around kids and pets, which is a huge bonus for me!
My Simple Homemade Sink Cleaner Recipe
Okay, here’s the recipe. You only need a handful of ingredients, and they’re probably already sitting in your pantry!
What You’ll Need:
- 1/2 cup baking soda (the scrubbing superstar)
- 1/4 cup white vinegar (natural disinfectant and de-greaser)
- 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap (I prefer a natural, plant-based soap like castile soap)
- A few drops of essential oil (optional, but I love using lemon or tea tree for an extra fresh scent)
- A soft sponge or cloth
How I Make It:
- Sprinkle the baking soda
First, I sprinkle about half a cup of baking soda directly into the sink. Baking soda is amazing for scrubbing because it’s gritty enough to lift grime but gentle enough to not scratch the surface of the sink.
- Add the dish soap
Then, I squirt a little dish soap on top of the baking soda. I use a natural, biodegradable soap like castile soap because it’s gentle and non-toxic, but you can use whatever you have on hand. The soap helps cut through any grease or food residue.
- Scrub, scrub, scrub!
Using a sponge or soft cloth, I scrub the mixture all around the sink. I focus on any spots that are particularly grimy, like around the drain or the edges. The baking soda and dish soap together make a foamy, gritty paste that works like magic on stains.
- Time for the vinegar fizz!
Here’s the fun part—once I’ve scrubbed away most of the dirt, I pour about 1/4 cup of white vinegar into the sink. It’ll start to fizz up when it hits the baking soda, and this little chemical reaction helps lift off any remaining grime while also naturally disinfecting the sink.
- Rinse and dry
After the fizzing stops, I rinse the sink thoroughly with warm water, making sure to wash away all the baking soda, soap, and vinegar. Then, I wipe it dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. For an extra shiny finish, I sometimes rub a little olive oil around the sink afterward—this gives it a nice polished look and keeps water spots at bay.
Why I Love This Cleaner:
This homemade sink cleaner is a game-changer for me! It’s gentle but powerful enough to tackle those tough stains and food residue, leaving my sink sparkling clean.
I love that it’s made from all-natural ingredients, so I don’t have to worry about any toxic chemicals going down the drain (or lingering in the sink where I wash dishes).
Plus, the vinegar’s natural disinfecting properties give me peace of mind that my sink is clean and fresh, and the essential oils make it smell so good!
Lemon and tea tree are my favorites because they smell fresh and help cut through any lingering odors from food.
A Few Extra Tips I’ve Learned:
- For extra stubborn spots: If I come across any super stubborn spots (like hard water stains or rust marks), I’ll make a little paste with baking soda and water and let it sit on the area for a few minutes before scrubbing. It really helps lift tough stains!
- Don’t forget the faucet!: I use the same baking soda and vinegar combo to clean around the faucet and handles, too. Just sprinkle, scrub, and let it fizz, then rinse and dry. It leaves everything looking shiny and new.
- Keep drains smelling fresh: I like to pour any leftover vinegar from my cleaning spree down the drain. It helps freshen up the drain and keeps any funky odors at bay.
Give It a Try!
If you’re looking for an easy, eco-friendly way to keep your sink sparkling clean, this homemade cleaner is a must-try!
It’s simple, effective, and made with ingredients you probably already have at home. Plus, it’s gentle on your surfaces and the environment, so you can feel good about using it.
Let me know how it works for you, and if you have any fun tips or tweaks for the recipe—I’m always down to try new things in my cleaning routine! 😊 Happy scrubbing!
Discover:
Emma Vanderlyn is a home enthusiast with a passion for all things natural and eco-friendly. With years of experience experimenting with DIY solutions, she’s dedicated to creating safe, effective, and budget-friendly cleaning recipes that are kind to both your home and the planet. Emma believes that a clean home shouldn’t come at the cost of harsh chemicals, and her easy-to-follow guides make natural cleaning accessible to everyone.
When she’s not whipping up a new cleaner in her kitchen, Emma can be found researching the latest in green living or transforming her space with mindful, stylish decor ideas. She’s here to share her love of natural living and help you create a home that shines—naturally.