Kitchens are one of the most essential rooms in our home and maintenance can often be overlooked. Sure, we might sweep, mop, take out the trash, and wipe down the counters, but there are other ways to keep up with maintenance and cleaning in the kitchen. We’ve put together a list of some easy and effective kitchen plumbing maintenance tips to keep it in peak performance.

Kitchen Sink

Notice any weird smells coming from your kitchen sink? It’s time to clean it. Even if you have a garbage disposal, there will still be food grime, grease, and hard water buildup in the sink drain that can lead to unpleasant odors. Pour some baking soda and vinegar down your drain, wait for a little, and then flush with hot or boiling water. Occasionally, you can disinfect your sink by pouring down a ½ cup of bleach diluted in a gallon of water. Make sure that the bleach doesn’t sit in the sink if you try this method—especially if you have a stainless steel basin.

Faucet

Along with the kitchen sink, your faucet requires a little TLC too. A clean faucet allows water to flow the way it’s supposed to function. Start by unscrewing the faucet head or aerator and soaking it in a vinegar solution to remove the gunky buildup. Then, use an old toothbrush to dislodge fragments from the faucet head. For stubborn sediment deposits, fill a plastic bag with a vinegar solution, wrap around the faucet, and let it sit overnight.

Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals are also susceptible to foul odors and grime buildup, therefore, it requires proper care and maintenance. Don’t put any foods down the disposal that are starchy, stringy, or greasy. To freshen your disposal and clear the blades, grind up a cup of ice and then flush it with hot water once a month. You can also use the baking soda and vinegar solution and scrub the inside of the unit with a long-handled brush to clear out smells. If your garbage disposal is making weird noises or the smell doesn’t subside, it’s time to call in a plumber.

Dishwasher

Just as with the garbage disposal, you should not put grease and food debris into your dishwasher. To clean out your dishwasher, you run it on the lowest settings with a vinegar solution in the bottom of the empty unit or with diluted bleach to clean mold or mildew. Do not use bleach if the inside of your unit is stainless steel. If you notice any unusual sounds or leaks, you should have an expert come to assess the issue.

Refrigerator

If your fridge has a water line, that hose will need maintenance as well. It’s important to keep that clean so your water and ice maker dispenses clean, healthy water. Refer to your refrigerator manual and unhook the water line to flush clean. Wipe off any mineral buildup on the dispenser. If you need help, the professional plumbers at Benjamin Franklin can help you out.

Kitchens should not be overlooked when it comes to plumbing maintenance. If you need additional assistance, call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing for peace of mind.