You name it, your bathroom sink has seen it - handwashing, toothpaste spit, drips of lotion, makeup spills, hair strands, mineral deposits, and more. Your sink gets "cleaned" every time you wash your hands with liquid soap and water, right? So you may think you don't need to take any extra cleaning steps. Much to your dismay, elements such as soap scum, rust stains, and water spots build up quickly without regular cleaning.

Let's be real - no one really jumps at the idea of cleaning the bathroom, and the idea becomes even less desirable when you tack on the prospect of having to use harsh cleaning products. Bathroom cleaners can contain bleach, ammonia, hydroxides, and other harmful ingredients like triclosan. Triclosan was declared unsafe by the FDA in 2017, as it could be harmful to the human immune system and alters hormone regulation in animals.

Unfortunately, the age-old DIY cleaning method of mixing a cup of baking soda with white vinegar is ineffective. The fizzy reaction looks like the materials are dissolving, but they're not. Baking soda is a base and vinegar is an acid. Combining baking soda and vinegar creates a chemical reaction which only produces water with trace amounts of salt, which is not strong enough to get rid of grime and soap scum. Neither ingredient is a surfactant, either, so they will do little to help carry away any loose oil and grease.

Whether it's a soap scum ring around the basin or stubborn stains from everyday dirt and oils, keep your bathroom sink clean with Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner. The formula can dissolve soap scum and remove stains. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is safe for use on a wide variety of materials including porcelain, marble, acrylic, stainless steel, brass, and copper sinks.

It's much easier to prevent stains and buildup than it is to remove them, so it's best to clean your sink every week. Try to keep your sink dry when it's not being used by wiping off excess moisture with a squeegee, microfiber cloth or sponge. This will prevent water spots and mildew from forming.

Directions for How to Clean a Bathroom Sink:

1. Mix your Simple Green solution. Mix 1 oz. of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner. with about 4 cups of hot water in an empty spray bottle.
2. Apply solution. Spray the entire sink thoroughly with the cleaning solution. You can also use this to spray down the faucet and surrounding countertops.
3. Scrub, if necessary. Use a non-abrasive sponge or soft, clean cloth to wipe down the surface without scratching it.
4. Wipe away. Thoroughly wipe down the sink, faucet, and countertops with a damp sponge, soft cloth or paper towel to ensure a residue-free surface.
5. Dry. Allow the surface to air dry completely or wipe down with a dry cloth.

TIP: For directions on how to clean your bathroom sink drain, click here. This is preventative maintenance. It will not correct hair clogs or unclog a long-term, badly clogged bathroom sink.