Friday, August 21, 2015

Week Of Tips I Love: Tip #3- How to Keep a Sparkling Kitchen Sink

I should have called this: How To Fake Having a Live-In Housekeeper. Because with tips like this, we could so pull that off!

Okay. So last year, I did something I've never done in my life: I hired a housekeeper. A lady from our church- a lady who owns a housekeeping business- was going through a lot, and a mutual friend suggested she could really use a few additional houses to clean. So I hired her. Instantly, we were friends. She taught me so much about keeping house... things that my southern housekeeping extraordinaire mother didn't even teach me! Clearly, my new friend knows how to keep a house.

One of my favorite things about coming home to a professionally cleaned house was the sparkling sinks. How did she get everything so beautifully... perfect? Before our time together ended (sigh), I asked her. Oh...that?, she said, shrugging. It's just baby oil.

Low and behold, ladies. It truly is the secret to shiny stainless steel sinks and the silencing of every southern wagging dirty-sink tongue out there: Baby oil your sink.

 Here's how:
  •  First, empty and clean that sink. I like using baking soda. Just sprinkle in a little baking soda, scrub it around, and rinse the sink well. If your sink was gross... or if you're really going for it... splash some vinegar on a towel and rub the sink down and rinse well again. That will really clean her up.
  • Now, get your baby oil. Just regular old baby oil. I picked some up on clearance at Target; brand doesn't matter. Saturate a soft cloth or towel with a good glug of the baby oil and begin wiping down your sink: bowls, faucets, drain holes, everything.
  • Finally, using another clean cloth (or paper towels), quickly wipe down the sink again, being sure to buff it and remove any streaks or water marks. There. You did it. That's all there is to it!

The best part of going to the trouble of doing this, besides walking into your kitchen and having that The housekeeper just left feeling, is the fact that your sink will stay looking this shiny-gorgeous for a few days. (Depending on what kind of life your sink lives.) Be sure to repeat the process for a perpetually sparkling sink.

Because apparently, having clean sinks, faucets, and floors is the secret to faking a clean house. That's according to my housekeeping genius friend. Next time you're expecting company, give the ole baby oil tip a try on your sink and faucets. Just have something ready for when folks ask for the name of your housekeeper. *wink*  -Brin

10 comments:

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

I love this little trick! I use it on my fridge (stainless steel) my vent hood, my coffee maker... all have SS on them and I like making them shine. NEVER! have I thought to put it into my sink. Why not? I have no idea. But I will now! thanks!

Unknown said...

I clean houses for a living and use baby oil for this and the glass shower doors that never stay clean, easy on, easy off! I love baby oil! Natural is always the best way to go!

Anonymous said...

I just did this on my sink and let me tell you, it is shining like the top of the Chrysler Building! Moving on to the trashcan, the coffee maker, the rolling cart.......

Gail said...

You're up there with Hints From Heloise.

Kathi said...

Thank you so much for sharing this idea, Brin. I will do this for sure. Kathi

Brin said...

Love that this working for y'all, too! Isn't it the coolest tip? Thanks so much for your kind words. Who knew that a bottle of baby oil could do so much? :)

Betty said...

Oh my I have reached this stage in my life and did not know about this trick. I will be trying this for sure. Who doesn't like a clean, sparkling sink??

Michelle said...

Hi Brin, this is a great idea but I'm a bit nervous about using baby oil (mineral oil) on surfaces where it might get into food (even though I know lots of people use baby oil on their cutting boards etc without worrying). So I tried your tip using olive oil and it worked really well! Thank you - and I am also busy freezing all my coriander (cilantro) in ice-cube trays as per your other tip and it is turning out brilliantly!
Love your posts <3

Terri Steffes said...

For Pete's sake. How did I get to be 50(something) and not know this. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

​​This is such a good cleaning tip! I am wanting to deep clean our house here in Fort Worth for spring and will totally use this. I am hoping to do some professional carpet cleaning here soon! Thanks so much for sharing!!!