Easy Fixes To Remove Bacteria From Your Kitchen Sink

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Here’s what you need to keep your sink germ-free.

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Kitchen sinks are integral to food prep. It’s where you’re washing your hands, produce and dishes. But a Department of Agriculture study found that 34% of kitchen sinks are contaminated with bacteria. Another study found that fecal bacteria was found in 44% of homes, with most of the samples coming from kitchen sinks. Gross, right?

Sponges may work for doing the dishes, but kitchen sink cleaning requires a scrubber that’s more nimble. This “toothbrush” was designed with cleaning in mind. Its non-slip grip makes it easy to hold on to and the head is angled to get into drains and corners.

Promising review: “GREAT OXO product! The brushes in this set are great because they are stiff and great for scrubbing in small areas where a larger brush wouldn't have as much force. I love these around sink faucets, like the kitchen and bathroom sinks. We have a lot of lime buildup in our water and these help keep it to a minimum. I also like them for the bathroom sink drains to be able to scrub thoroughly.” —lulabell5678

Get it from Amazon for $8.99.

This sanitizing spray is perfect for daily use. Simply spritz your kitchen sink as part of your post-meal clean-up and allow it to work its magic. You don’t need to do anything else. You can use it on cooking tools too, like your spiralizer or produce chopper. It kills 99.9% of kitchen bacteria in less than 60 seconds, no matter what material your sink is made of.

Promising review: “Excellent product for your kitchen. No rinse necessary. Home slicers are almost impossible to properly clean and sanitize. This product fixed that problem! I also used it on all of my cutting boards.” —James Jeffries

Get a 3-pack from Amazon for $21.99 (also available in three other pack sizes).

If you’re looking for a kitchen sink cleaner that doesn’t contain any synthetic chemicals, this one is a great bet. Made with salt, water and hypochlorous acid (a naturally occurring acid), it helps prevent grime buildup without leaving a chemically smell behind.

Promising review: “I have a very sensitive nose and am allergic to toxic chemicals. This “Clean Republic All-Purpose Cleaner Spray, Nature-Derived, Bleach Free and Fragrance-Free, Multi-Surface Cleaner, 32oz - 1 Pack” is one great all-around cleaner for people like us. I love using this to clean around the house. It does not irritate my nose and has no offending vapor, unlike other cleaners. It is perfect for cleaning my kitchen center island table, kitchen countertop, bathroom vanity and shower glass door. It is also good for cleaning around the stovetop and microwave. If I wanted to have a germ-free area I would start with this cleaner and then followed by a quick wipe of rubbing or isopropyl alcohol. This is how we clean the bathroom toilet seat. Overall we are happy using this product and if you are like me with a sensitive nose this is highly recommended!" —Ron

Get a 2-pack from Amazon for $26.99 (also available in five other pack sizes and styles).

One of the easiest ways to clean the kitchen sink is by giving it a good wipe-down with a disinfectant towel, which will kill any bacteria lurking on the surface. Customers who bought and left reviews for these Lysol ones say they like the lemony smell.

Promising review: “Lifesaver for quick cleaning! They’re great for wiping down surfaces and killing germs. The lemon and lime blossom scent is fresh without being overpowering. The pack of two with 80 wipes each lasts a while, and they make cleaning super convenient. Highly recommend!” —ELi R

Get a 2-pack from Amazon for $9.94.

If your kitchen sink is made of stainless steel, this sink cleaner-polish combo product will leave it sparkling. It’s made to repel water, which prevents water and rust stains.

Promising review: “This product actually works and it was shocking how different my sink looked and stayed that way after using this product. I thought I was going to have to buy a new sink and this product saved me from doing so.” —Doug Ellington

Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in two sizes and multi-packs).

Garbage disposals are one of the grimy-est parts of the kitchen sink and it can be a little unnerving sticking your hand down to clean it. The solution: these little garbage disposal cleaning packets. All you do is stick the packet down the disposal after running hot water for a minute. Then, its cleaning foam will disinfect the inside of your disposal, helping prevent buildup and odors.

Promising review: “This is the best cleaning product you never knew you needed. Follow the instructions exactly and it will work perfectly. It’s also very soothing to watch the blue bubbles do their job hahaha! An inexpensive and effective cleaner!” —H. Brucia

Get it from Amazon for $3.67 (also available in three other pack sizes).

Another way to clean your garbage disposal is with these lemony-scented drops. It’s like a breath mint for your kitchen sink. To use, allow hot water to run for one minute, pop a cleaning drop in, turn on your disposal for a few seconds and then turn it off. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Promising review: “These garbage disposal cleaner and deodorizer drops are a quick and effective way to keep my kitchen sink fresh! The lemon zest scent leaves a clean, refreshing aroma that eliminates any unpleasant drain odors. They are super easy to use — just drop one in, run the disposal and let it do its job. The pack lasts a long time, making it a great value. I love that it helps maintain my disposer without any mess or hassle. Overall, this is a must-have for a fresh and odor-free kitchen. Highly recommend!” —CK

Get it from Amazon for $18.95.

This 11-inch long garbage disposal cleaning brush can go places you simply can’t when using a dish towel or sponge. It scrapes food and debris from the sides of the disposal and pushes it down so it can disappear forever.

Promising review: “Very effective at getting out the ‘gunk’ around the sides of your disposal. Tough bristles and easy to use. Just spin.” —Deb

Get it from Amazon for $9.26.

If your kitchen sink gets clogged, sanitizing sprays, wipes or garbage disposal drops aren’t going to do the job; you need a drain cleaner. This one is free of harsh chemicals and uses natural enzymes instead. It will clear your pipes without damaging them.

Promising review: “This product works great for drain clearing. I have used it for several years!” —Clara

Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in three sizes and a multi-pack).

Washing and drying is a two-person job — unless you have a drying rack like this one. Keep your kitchen sink free of dishes by giving your dishes, utensils and cooking tools a clean place to dry.

Promising review: “I recently purchased this dish rack, and I couldn't be happier with my decision. The design is sleek and modern, fitting perfectly in my kitchen. It's incredibly sturdy and holds a surprising amount of dishes, including pots and pans. The water drainage system works flawlessly, keeping my countertop dry. Assembly was a breeze, and the materials feel high-quality and durable. Highly recommend!” —Gabriel

Get it from Amazon for $19.98+ (available in three sizes and seven colors).

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.