The Super Smart and Incredibly Simple Way to Clean That Gross Grate at the Bottom of Your Sink

published Oct 18, 2021
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Sink grates offer a few benefits: Most of the time, people use sink grates to prevent their sink surface from getting scratched. Even hard, durable sinks, like stainless steel or porcelain, can show wear and tear when heavy pots and pans rub against the surface. A grate shields the bottom of the sink from these unsightly marks. 

Along with protecting your sink, people use grates to keep their dishes from sitting in moisture in the sink while they wait to be washed and to allow for the flow of water even if there are items sitting in the sink. However, without careful, regular maintenance, your handy accessory can become a problem of its own. 

Credit: Joe Lingeman

The Best (and Easiest) Way to Clean Your Sink Grate

You might assume that the grate must stay pretty clean, because it’s getting inadvertently washed all of the time, but we’re here to tell you this just isn’t the case. Bacteria can linger, mold can start to grow, and food can get stuck in all sorts of places. Cleaning it is annoying, though, we know. It seems like, no matter how you hold it, you always end up splashing dirty dish water all over the place, as your sponge skips along the grate.

Credit: Joe Lingeman

That’s where our brilliant idea comes in: The most effective and easiest way to clean your sink grate is to turn it upside down in your sink. Simply flip it so that the feet are facing up and then, not only do you have easy access to all the grossest spots of the grate, but you can also easily scrub them without making a mess. In this position, you also get all the leverage you need. Scrub the grate in place, upside down, and then rinse. Then flip it back over and clean the top and you’re all set.

Repeat this weekly to make sure your sink grate stays clean, and include a frequent, full-sink scrub-down with the grate removed. This way, your sink stays scratch free and squeaky clean!

Do you have a sink grate? How do you clean it? Tell us in the comments below.