How to Clean a Cast Iron Sink

As a former interior designer with over a decade of experience designing custom kitchens, I can speak to the popularity and hardiness of cast iron sinks. While they are available in many colors, white cast iron farmhouse sinks are the most popular. If you’ve never had one before, you may be wondering, How do I clean a cast iron sink?

I’m not a fan of traditional household cleaners due to the toxicity they introduce into our environments (and bodies). As a result, I’ve got an easy method for keeping your cast iron sink clean naturally, using simple and inexpensive ingredients you probably have in your kitchen already.

Cast Iron Sink Cleaning Supplies

While I recognize not everyone wants to spend time and effort making their own cleaning products, this really couldn’t be any easier. Add these items to your next Target run and you’ll be ready to clean your cast iron sink in no time.

SHOPPING LIST:

• A glass or heavy-duty plastic spray bottle
• Distilled white vinegar
• Baking soda
• Tea tree or lemon essential oil
• A round scrub brush

Make Your Cast Iron Sink Cleaner

In your spray bottle, combine equal parts water and distilled white vinegar. Add 10-20 drops of tea tree essential oil, using more or less depending on the size of your bottle.

Tea tree essential oil cuts the smell of the vinegar a bit, but more importantly, it’s naturally antibacterial and anti-fungal, making a great addition to your cast iron sink cleaner.

Lemon, peppermint, and thyme essential oils are great alternatives if you don’t care for the scent of tea tree oil.

How to Clean Your Cast Iron Sink

Now that you’ve made your natural cleaner, it’s time to get down to business.

1. Rinse your sink with hot water to wash any food scraps down the disposal. Spray with the vinegar and water solution.
2. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of baking soda around your sink and spray more vinegar and water solution onto the baking soda to create a paste. It will have a chemical reaction and begin to fizz slightly.
3. Scrub the bottom and sides of your cast iron sink with your scrub brush, working in a small circular motion. Be careful not to scrub the metal drain, as this will wear the finish.
4. Rinse with hot water and continue to scrub with the brush until all the baking soda paste is gone, and the cast iron surface feels smooth.
5. Optional: If you have a garbage disposal, an old toothbrush works well to clean the underside of the gasket. Once it’s scraped clean, throw a handful of ice into the disposal along with 3-5 drops of your preferred essential oil from above. Turn on the disposal until the ice chunks have been broken down. This cleans the disposal and helps sharpen the blades. Toss the old toothbrush into the dishwasher and save it for next week.

Cleaning your cast iron sink at least once a week will help keep build-up from forming and stains from setting.

A Word of Caution

If you have marble countertops that haven’t been sealed properly, the acid in the vinegar will etch the stone. Additionally, the baking soda may scratch it. It’s fine to use this cleaning method for your sink, just be careful not to get any of the baking soda or vinegar water on your counter and wipe up any spills immediately.

Similarly, it’s best not to get this mixture on your plumbing fixtures, as it could damage the finish over time.

Additional Uses

This cast iron sink cleaning formula works just as well on stainless steel or composite sinks.

Additionally, I use the spray to clean our wooden cutting boards after chopping onions or garlic. The acid helps to neutralize the flavor and scent so it doesn’t transfer to whatever you cut next (I learned this trick the hard way after biting into an apple slice that tasted of onion – ew!). Just saturate the cutting board with the vinegar and water solution, let it sit for a few minutes, and rinse with hot water.

More Posts for A Healthier Home

• My Favorite Natural Cleaning Products
• Kitchen Organization Ideas for Healthier Cooking
• How to Clean a Wooden Cutting Board with Lemon

Don’t forget to save this method on Pinterest so you can refer back to it.

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