Something still needs to be tinkered with on the kitchen sink. So you can take care of it

Becky Kristal

THE WASHINGTON POST - If I've been awake more than on my desk in the past 13 months, it's my kitchen sink. Wash hands, wash dishes, rinse, repeat. On several occasions, I've been so suddenly struck by the look of this light that I often drop everything I do at inconvenient times, such as just before bed, to clean it until it's done.

I know i'm not alone "I think we take it for granted," said Lisa Hurley, Kohler's marketing director for kitchen sinks. She said we use kitchen sinks an average of 10 to 12 times a day so we can't afford to ignore them. Fortunately, "the kitchen sink is very, very easy to maintain," Hurley said.

And take care of it, you should. "It is difficult to remove a sink and replace it," says Matthew Baranuk, product manager for the Moen sink team. "You could have had the same sink for ... more than 20 years. This thing is going nowhere. He estimates that nine out of ten people don't pay as much attention to their sink as they should.

Here are some tips to help you perform your due diligence on this kitchen workhorse that we cannot live without.

Get into the routine, take small steps. Including a little TLC in your daily routine can go a long way in maintaining your sink. Hurley encourages home cooks to rinse off any leftover food to prevent bacterial growth and prevent dehydration. At this point, it's a lot harder to remove. An extra minute to wipe the sink with a soft cloth is also helpful, as is drying around the faucet or other utensils such as kitchenware. B. a spray lance to avoid mineral deposits or dirt.

Get in the habit of brushing regularly. Even if you follow the steps above, you will want to get used to a deeper cleanse every now and then. Baranuk recommends waiting no more than 10 days to pay more attention to your sink. We live in a time when hygiene is heightened, but Hurley and Baranuk point out a great tip: please don't use harsh detergents or tools in your sink. "I would say less is more," said Hurley, who notes that a simple approach of dish soap and water is usually enough.

Baranuk has seen videos promoting steel wool online. "It's almost like a horror movie to me," he said, because something like that can take away the degree. How about more intense products like Soft Scrub and Comet? "These are all big no-gos," said Hurley. Even simple vinegar can be too strong, he said. Baranuk likes Bon Ami as a bland but effective option, although he often opts for a lemon cut in half and covered with salt (bonus: used lemon can be thrown away for cleaning and freshening). Bartender's Friend is also in my arsenal when my stainless steel sink needs a good shine. Some manufacturers, including Kohler, offer cleaners designed for their specific sinks. Regardless of what you use, Hurley said it's a good idea to test it on a small spot first and not leave it in the sink for long periods of time.

Sinks are also known to have hard-to-clean areas, depending on their style, such as the bathroom sink. B. around the faucet and the seams where they meet the countertop. "I have about five toothbrushes under my sink that I use for this purpose," said Baranuk. They're soft and can get in places a large cloth or sponge can't, including faucet or sprinkler holes. Use with soap and water if necessary.

Understand the unique needs of your sink. I have a stack of manuals for various devices and gadgets, but the sink? Not as much. Most of us live with a sink installed by someone else and the instructions are lost over time. If you're willing to take a more proactive approach to servicing sinks, do yourself a favor and try following the instructions online.

Even if you can't find them, keep in mind that your sink may have slightly different needs depending on the material. Most sinks are made of stainless steel, which can be scratched. Hurley said you should consider that part of his character.

When washing dishes, Baranuk admits to being extra careful and preferring to wash large pots and pans, at least from the inside, with a towel on the counter. Your concern is that thorough cleaning of large and heavy items (wood stoves, cast iron pans), especially lifting one side up to pry open, can cause dents or scratches if they slip.

To protect the bottom of the sink and your dishes, Hurley recommends using a floor drainer. They are better than a rubber mat under which you are more likely to have bacterial growth. The lower sink support allows air to circulate and can serve as a drying point for dishes if you don't have any on the counter or if it is full.

Adblock test (why?)