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DIY Cleaning Methods for Bathroom sink

Reviewed by Zac Kieffer

Updated: September 15, 2025

Discover easy DIY cleaning methods for your bathroom sink. Keep it sparkling clean with simple, effective tips using household ingredients.

DIY Cleaning Methods for Bathroom sink

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Sprinkle baking soda over the bathroom sink, then pour white vinegar on top. Let the mixture fizz for a few minutes, scrub with a sponge, and rinse with warm water. This natural method removes stains, deodorizes, and leaves your sink sparkling clean.

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How to Clean a Bathroom Sink with Baking Soda and Vinegar

Clear the sink area. Move soap, toothbrushes, and anything else out of the way. You want a blank canvas for this cleaning method.

Rinse the sink with warm water. This helps loosen up any surface grime and preps the area for the baking soda.

Sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda over the sink basin. Pay extra attention to spots with visible buildup or stains. Baking soda is a gentle abrasive, which means it can help scrub away residue without scratching most sink surfaces.

Use a damp sponge or cloth to work the baking soda into the sink. Scrub in circles, focusing on the drain area and around the faucet where grime likes to hide. If you see stubborn spots, let the baking soda sit for a few minutes before scrubbing again.

Pour white vinegar over the baking soda. You’ll see some fizzing—this is normal. The reaction helps lift some of the grime and can make scrubbing a bit easier. Don’t worry if it doesn’t look dramatic; the fizz is doing its thing even if it’s not a science fair volcano.

Let the mixture sit for about 5–10 minutes. This gives the reaction time to work on any stuck-on gunk. If you’re dealing with a lot of buildup, you can let it sit a little longer, but don’t let it dry out completely.

Scrub again with your sponge or cloth. Focus on any areas that still look dingy. The combination of baking soda’s texture and the vinegar’s reaction can help loosen up what’s left.

Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Make sure to wash away all the baking soda and vinegar residue. Check the drain and faucet for any leftover paste and rinse again if needed.

Dry with a clean towel or microfiber cloth. This helps prevent water spots and leaves your sink looking freshly cleaned.

Pro tip: If you notice a funky smell coming from the drain, pour a little extra baking soda down the drain, followed by vinegar. Let it fizz for a few minutes, then flush with hot water. This can help freshen things up, but it won’t address deeper plumbing issues.

Limited Cleaning Power

Baking soda and vinegar may not effectively remove tough grime, soap scum, or mineral deposits in bathroom sinks. Their reaction is mild and often lacks the strength needed for deep cleaning, leaving stubborn stains and buildup behind.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Lemon Juice

Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice in a spray bottle. Spray onto the bathroom sink, let sit for a few minutes, then scrub with a sponge or cloth. This natural cleaner helps remove stains, disinfects, and leaves the sink fresh and bright.

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How to Clean a Bathroom Sink with Hydrogen Peroxide and Lemon Juice

Gather your supplies: You’ll need hydrogen peroxide (the standard 3% solution you find at the pharmacy), a fresh lemon, a small bowl, a soft sponge or microfiber cloth, and a clean, dry towel. If your sink is especially grimy, grab an old toothbrush for detail work.

Prep the sink: Remove any items from around the sink—soap dishes, toothbrush holders, rogue hair ties. Give the sink a quick rinse with warm water to loosen up surface debris and toothpaste blobs.

Mix your cleaning solution: In your bowl, combine about 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide with the juice of half a lemon. The lemon juice adds a bit of acidity, which can help with mineral deposits and soap scum. Stir gently to blend.

Apply the solution: Dip your sponge or cloth into the mixture and wipe down the entire sink—basin, faucet, handles, and even the overflow hole. For stubborn spots (like around the drain or faucet base), use your old toothbrush dipped in the solution to scrub gently.

Let it sit: For areas with buildup, let the solution sit for about 5 minutes. This gives the mixture time to work on mineral deposits and soap residue. Don’t let it dry completely—if it starts to, just dab on a bit more.

Rinse thoroughly: Use warm water to rinse away all traces of the solution. Make sure to rinse the faucet and handles, too, so nothing sticky is left behind.

Dry and buff: Wipe the sink dry with your clean towel. This helps prevent water spots and leaves the surface looking fresh. If you want a little extra shine, buff the faucet and handles with a dry microfiber cloth.

Quick tip: If you notice any lingering odors, slice up the leftover lemon half and run it around the sink before rinsing. It’s a simple way to freshen things up without extra effort.

Incomplete Disinfection Risk

Using hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice may not fully disinfect the bathroom sink, as this DIY method can miss some bacteria and viruses, increasing the risk of incomplete cleaning and potential exposure to harmful germs.

Salt and Lemon Juice

Sprinkle salt over the bathroom sink, then squeeze fresh lemon juice onto the salted areas. Scrub gently with a sponge or cloth, allowing the mixture to lift stains and cut through grime. Rinse thoroughly with water for a clean, fresh-smelling sink.

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How to Clean Your Bathroom Sink with Salt and Lemon Juice

Gather your supplies: You’ll need table salt (any grain size works), a fresh lemon, a small bowl, a soft sponge or cloth, and warm water. If your sink is especially grimy, grab an old toothbrush for detail work.

Prep the sink: Give the sink a quick rinse with warm water to loosen up any loose debris or toothpaste blobs. This helps the salt and lemon juice do their thing without getting bogged down by gunk.

Sprinkle salt: Generously shake salt over the sink’s surface, especially around the drain and any visible stains or soap scum. Salt acts as a gentle abrasive, which means it helps scrub away buildup without scratching most sink surfaces.

Add lemon juice: Cut your lemon in half and squeeze the juice directly over the salted areas. The juice will fizz a bit as it reacts with the salt—this is normal. The citric acid in lemon helps break down mineral deposits and water spots.

Scrub: Use your sponge or cloth to work the salt and lemon juice into the sink, focusing on stained or grimy spots. For tight corners or around the faucet, use the old toothbrush. Don’t forget the drain area, which tends to collect grime.

Let it sit: For stubborn spots, let the salt and lemon mixture sit for about 5–10 minutes. This gives the citric acid a little more time to work on mineral deposits and soap scum.

Rinse thoroughly: Use warm water to rinse away all the salt and lemon residue. Make sure to flush the drain well, so you don’t leave any gritty salt behind.

Buff dry: Wipe the sink dry with a clean, dry cloth to prevent new water spots from forming. This also gives your sink a nice, fresh look.

Stain Penetration Issues

Salt and lemon juice may not fully remove deep or old stains from bathroom sinks because the mixture lacks strong bleaching or penetrating agents, leaving stubborn discoloration or buildup behind.

Mix borax with enough water to form a thick paste. Apply the paste to the bathroom sink using a sponge or cloth, gently scrubbing stained or dirty areas. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water. This method helps remove grime and leaves the sink sparkling clean.

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Borax and Water Paste for Cleaning a Bathroom Sink

What You’ll Need:

Borax powder (found in the laundry aisle)
Water (plain tap water works)
A small bowl for mixing
An old toothbrush or soft cleaning brush
A clean, damp cloth

How to Make the Paste:

Pour about 1/4 cup of borax into your bowl.
Add water slowly, stirring as you go, until you get a thick, spreadable paste. You’re aiming for the consistency of toothpaste—thick enough to stick, but not so dry it crumbles.

How to Use the Paste on Your Bathroom Sink:

Dip your brush into the borax paste and apply it directly to any stains, soap scum, or grimy spots on your sink. Focus on areas around the drain and faucet where buildup likes to hang out.
Let the paste sit for about 10-15 minutes. This gives it time to work on the grime.
Scrub gently with your brush, using small circular motions. Pay extra attention to textured areas or spots with visible buildup.
Rinse the sink thoroughly with warm water. Make sure to remove all traces of the paste, as borax can leave a powdery residue if not rinsed well.
Wipe the sink dry with your clean, damp cloth for a streak-free finish.

Tips for Best Results:

Test the paste on a small, hidden area first if your sink is made of a delicate material (like natural stone or specialty finishes).
Don’t use borax paste on surfaces that are not recommended by the manufacturer. Some materials can react to borax, so always check care instructions.
Store leftover paste in a sealed container for a few days, but mix fresh if it dries out or separates.

What is Borax?

Borax is a mineral-based cleaning powder (sodium borate) often used in laundry and household cleaning. It’s known for its ability to help loosen grime and stains when used as a paste or solution.

Residue Build-Up Potential

Borax can leave a powdery residue if not rinsed thoroughly, leading to buildup on sink surfaces. This residue may attract dirt, dull the finish, and require extra cleaning to remove, reducing the effectiveness of the DIY method.

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