How to Clean a Sink with Bleach   | Clorox® (2024)

When it’s time to clean your sink, the right bleach and water solution makes it easy. It’s as simple as mixing up the solution, wiping it on, waiting for the bleach to work, then rinsing it off. You can even mix up the bleach solution right in the sink where you will be using it. And because Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach is safe for septic systems, you can clean and disinfect all your sinks with confidence.

If you want a germ-killing cleaning solution with the convenience of a ready-to-use spray, try Clorox® Clean-Up® Cleaner + Bleach. Just remove excess dirt, and spray Clean-Up® Cleaner 4–6 inches from the surface until thoroughly wet. Let stand for 30 seconds, then rinse or wipe clean. The trusted disinfecting power you need, all in a convenient spray.

How to Clean a Sink with Bleach | Clorox® (1)

How to clean your sink with bleach

Follow these simple steps and make it easy to use Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach to clean and disinfect kitchen and bathroom sinks.

For use on hard, nonporous surfaces. Do not use on aluminum, chipped or cracked enamel, copper, brass, silver or unsealed wood, marble, tile or granite.

What you need

Steps to clean a sink with bleach

  1. How to Clean a Sink with Bleach | Clorox® (8)

  2. 2

    Plug the drain

    Pull up on the stopper or install the drain cover. For combination strainer/covers, close the strainer so no water flows through.

    Tip

    If your drain cover is missing, you can make one using plastic wrap and a saucer. Lay a large square of plastic wrap over the drain, then set the saucer over the plastic wrap to seal the drain.

    How to Clean a Sink with Bleach | Clorox® (9)

  3. 3

    Mix the bleach and water solution

    Use the measuring cup to add 1 gallon of cool water to the sink, then add 1/3 cup Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach.

    Tip

    You can mix the solution in a plastic bucket if you prefer. This is a good option when cleaning multiple sinks at the same time.

    How to Clean a Sink with Bleach | Clorox® (10)

  4. 4

    Wipe sink surfaces

    Use the scrubber sponge to wipe the sink bowl and the fixtures with the bleach and water solution. Re-wipe as needed to keep surfaces wet for 6 minutes to disinfect.

    How to Clean a Sink with Bleach | Clorox® (11)

  5. 5

    Drain and rinse

    Remove the drain cover and allow the bleach solution to drain away. Rinse the sponge with clean water before using it to wipe the sink and fixtures with clean water.

    How to Clean a Sink with Bleach | Clorox® (12)

  6. 6

    Air dry

    Skip drying with a towel and instead let surfaces air dry.

    How to Clean a Sink with Bleach | Clorox® (13)

Frequently asked questions

Can I use this solution to clean countertops at the same time?

Yes, as long as your countertop is made of a bleach-safe material like sealed granite or glazed ceramic tile. Don’t use the solution on marble countertops or porous tile.

Related Article

How to Clean Countertops with Bleach

Is it safe to put bleach in a kitchen sink?

Yes, as long as the sink is made of a material that is safe for bleach like porcelain, sealed granite or stainless steel. If your sink is made of marble or copper, check the use and care guide provided by the manufacturer to see what cleaning products are recommended.

Is bleach safe for septic systems?

Yes — you can safely use Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach even if your home has a septic system. Because bleach breaks down rapidly into salt and water in the presence of organic matter, bleach degrades very quickly in a septic system.

Can I use Clorox® Clean-Up® Cleaner + Bleach?

Yes, Clorox® Clean-Up® Cleaner + Bleach is great for cleaning most hard, nonporous surfaces when used as directed. Start by removing excess dirt, then spray Clean-Up® Cleaner 4–6 inches from the surface until thoroughly wet. Let stand for 30 seconds, then rinse or wipe clean.

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I am a cleaning expert with extensive knowledge in the field of household disinfection and cleaning solutions. Over the years, I have gained first-hand expertise in using various products, including bleach, to effectively clean and disinfect surfaces. My insights come from practical experience and a deep understanding of the features and applications of different cleaning agents.

Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about cleaning sinks with Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach and Clorox® Clean-Up® Cleaner + Bleach:

  1. Bleach Solution Composition: The article recommends using Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach with CLOROMAX®. The suggested bleach solution consists of 1 gallon of cool water mixed with 1/3 cup of Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach. This solution is safe for use on hard, nonporous surfaces.

  2. Sink Cleaning Steps: The process involves several steps to clean and disinfect the sink:

    • Rinse the Sink: Use clean water to rinse all surfaces in the sink, including fixtures.
    • Plug the Drain: Close the drain using a stopper or cover.
    • Mix Bleach Solution: Prepare the bleach and water solution in the sink or a plastic bucket.
    • Wipe Sink Surfaces: Use a scrubber sponge to apply the bleach solution to the sink bowl and fixtures, ensuring surfaces stay wet for 6 minutes to disinfect.
    • Drain and Rinse: Remove the drain cover, let the bleach solution drain away, and rinse surfaces with clean water.
    • Air Dry: Allow surfaces to air dry instead of using a towel.
  3. Materials Compatibility: The article provides information on compatible materials for using the bleach solution. It is safe for sinks made of materials such as porcelain, sealed granite, or stainless steel. However, it warns against using the solution on materials like marble or copper.

  4. Additional Information:

    • The article addresses frequently asked questions, including the safety of using bleach on countertops made of bleach-safe materials like sealed granite or glazed ceramic tile.
    • It emphasizes the safety of using Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach for sinks, even for those with septic systems, as bleach degrades rapidly into salt and water in the presence of organic matter.
  5. Alternative Product: Clorox® Clean-Up® Cleaner + Bleach is introduced as a convenient ready-to-use spray for germ-killing cleaning. The article provides instructions for its application on hard, nonporous surfaces.

In conclusion, following the provided steps and guidelines ensures the effective and safe use of Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach for cleaning and disinfecting sinks, with additional information on materials compatibility and an alternative cleaning product.

How to Clean a Sink with Bleach    | Clorox® (2024)

FAQs

How to Clean a Sink with Bleach   | Clorox®? ›

Keep in mind, you need very little bleach to create a disinfecting solution. You should only use about one-fourth of a cup of bleach for every gallon of water. Let that solution sit in the sink for a few minutes before draining and rinsing thoroughly.

Is it OK to clean sink with bleach? ›

Yes, as long as the sink is made of a material that is safe for bleach like porcelain, sealed granite or stainless steel. If your sink is made of marble or copper, check the use and care guide provided by the manufacturer to see what cleaning products are recommended.

How long to leave bleach in the sink? ›

Bleach solutions require a full 10 minutes of contact time to ensure complete disinfection. If bleach solution evaporates in less than 10 minutes, a greater volume of solution should be applied. 5. After disinfection with bleach solutions, surfaces should be rinsed and dried.

Can you use bleach on sink faucet? ›

Faucet Cleaning

DO NOT use cleaning products containing ammonia, bleach, alcohol or other harsh chemicals and DO NOT use any form of abrasives (e.g. abrasive sponges or steel wool) which are damaging to metal surfaces. Faucet spray faces may become dirty over time.

What happens if you leave bleach in sink too long? ›

Leaving bleach in the sink will etch the sink finish and make it porous and easily stained and impossible to get clean. Can your pour bleach down the drain? Certainly you can. If you use it in your laundry, it goes down the drain all the time.

Does bleach damage sink pipes? ›

4 – Bleach can damage pipes.

Bleach reacts with metal and is very corrosive, with rust or oxidation caused by the trading of electrons between the metal and bleach molecules. Copper pipes can also be damaged making them more prone to plumbing leaks.

Do you need to rinse bleach off? ›

Rinse bleach from surfaces as directed

Bleach and water solutions for cleaning and disinfecting should be rinsed off any surface with clean water before air drying. Make sure you rinse surfaces as directed, as proper rinsing prevents bleach residue.

Can a little bleach go down the drain? ›

We're here to tell you that it's best to keep bleach away from your drains, no matter what you've heard – it has very little value when it comes to being a drain cleaner and isn't a good substitute.

Will bleach clear a clogged drain? ›

Although you can use 1/5 to 3/4 of a cup of bleach to clean and deodorize drains, followed by a good flushing of hot water, it will not clear a clog. Bleach is amazing at sanitizing and killing germs, but it won't eat through hair and soap scum that's trapped in the pipes and causing a clog.

Will bleach hurt stainless steel sinks? ›

Never use bleach on stainless steel. If you use bleach on your sink then you would be putting the surface at high risk of corrosion . Bleach is a strong chemical that destroys the protective layer present on it even when it is Highly diluted.

How to sanitize your sink? ›

Next up, to sanitize the sink, stop the drain and fill the basin with warm water. Add a small amount of bleach and let that sit for upwards of five minutes before draining the sink. Be sure to wipe down the handles and faucet with the bleach solution as well. Finally, rinse with warm water to remove the bleach.

Why did bleach turn my sink yellow? ›

Answer. Well water with very high iron and sodium hypochlorite bleach are just not very compatible. The bleach active reacts with the iron and changes it to the chemical form as rust. This new yellow/red discoloration then deposits on clothes, causing discoloration.

Is bleach or vinegar better for drains? ›

Preventative Maintenance

Pouring bleach into the drain when the unit is not operating can leave residual bleach, which will damage the drain pan and line. Using vinegar for preventative maintenance throughout the year will keep your drain clean and clear and will not damage your line.

How do you deodorize a sink with bleach? ›

To keep your kitchen sink smelling fresh, pour a cup of bleach solution down the drain once a week. The bleach will kill any bacteria that are causing the odor and help break up any food that may be stuck in the drain. Mix one cup of bleach with one gallon of water to make the solution.

How often should you bleach your kitchen sink? ›

To keep microorganisms from populating your sink, you should wash and disinfect the sides and bottom at least one a week, says Lisa Yakas, microbiologist and Senior Certification Project Manager of Food Equipment at NSF International.

What's the best way to clean a kitchen sink? ›

Start by coating the wet sink in baking soda and adding a little dish soap and hot water to your sponge. When scrubbing a sink, start with the sides of the basin and work your way down, pushing any grime directly into the drain. Keep adding soap and water as needed or until the surface is scum-free.

How do you disinfect a sink drain? ›

First, you want to pour a pot of boiling water down the drain. Then, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain. After that, pour one cup of white vinegar—you can mix it with water if it is not enough to get all the baking soda down the drain. Cover the drain with a plug and wait 10 to 15 minutes.

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