The kitchen sink is probably one of the hardest-working spots in your home. From washing dishes to prepping meals, it sees a lot of daily action. But keeping your kitchen sink in tip-top shape doesn’t have to be daunting. In fact, there are quite a few things you can do in your daily routine to maintain a clean and functional sink.

Wipe After Every Use

Cleaning your kitchen sink after using it is a great way to maintain it long-term. Food particles and soap residue can build up quickly, damaging your sink and making it smell gross, too.

After you’ve finished washing dishes or rinsing vegetables, take a second to rinse and wipe your sink with a soft sponge or cloth. Doing this every day is enough to prevent buildup and any water-related stains from forming.

Don’t Pour Grease Down the Drain

One of the biggest culprits of a clogged sink is grease. And while pouring it down your drain is a habit a lot of people have, it’s one of the worst things you can do to your sink.

When you pour hot grease down the drain, it cools and hardens. Food residue and other debris then get caught inside, creating those annoying blockages that make your sink smell. This can also ruin your plumbing system. Instead of pouring grease down the drain, just let it cool down in a container and throw it away.

Use a Sink Strainer

If you don’t already have one, a sink strainer is a fabulous maintenance tool because it catches food particles and debris before they can go down the drain and clog it up. The only caveat is you have to remember to empty the strainer regularly into the trash. But that’s just a small price to pay in exchange for keeping your sink and pipes clear.

Clean the Drain Regularly

Keep in mind that even if you have a sink strainer, small particles can still make their way down the drain. But not all hope is lost because you can use other things like baking soda and vinegar to keep your drain clean and clear.

To do it, pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. Let it sit for about 15 minutes, then flush it with hot water. You don’t have to do this daily, but if you notice your sink is starting to clog up or smell, it’s worth a try.

Freshen Up with Lemon

Lemons aren’t just for cooking; they can also help freshen up your sink and garbage disposal. If you notice your sink has a slight stench, just rub half of a lemon all over your sink, especially on any stained spots. After a while, you’ll notice the citric acid in the lemon will start to break down grime, plus it leaves a nice, bright scent.

Use a Dish Mat or a Rack

If you usually hand-wash your dishes, consider using a dish mat or rack to let them dry outside the sink. By doing this, you can keep standing water from accumulating. Plus, you won’t have to worry about rust or stains forming on your sink.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals

While it might be tempting to use strong chemicals to clean your sink, they’re bad for your health and, sometimes, not that great for your sink. Harsh cleaners can damage the finish of your sink and aren’t always safe for your pipes.

If you want to avoid this, stick to mild dish soap, baking soda, and vinegar to play it safe.