I really liked using Soft Scrub to clean my kitchen sink. Then we moved to the country where we have a septic tank. If you have ever had a septic tank, you know that bleach is discouraged because it kills the good bacteria needed to break down waste. I had to find a bleach-free alternative because I really like having a sparkling white sink.
How to Clean Your Sink without Bleach
First I tried using dish soap and extra elbow grease into cleaning my sink, but I am lazy. For a very short time, I paid too much for bleach-free store-bought cleaners. Then I discovered that you can just use plain baking soda to scrub your sink and it is quite effective. You can find large boxes of baking soda on the cleaning aisle of many stores.
I was talking with Michelle of Simplify, Live, Love and she told me that she gets even better results when she scrubs her sinks with Borax instead of using baking soda. You can also find Borax on the cleaning aisle of most stores. I already have it in my cleaning supplies because I use it to make laundry soap and dish washer detergent, but it had never occurred to me to use it to scrub my sink.
Both baking soda and Borax are frugal and effective, but if you want a Soft Scrub type cleaner, you can use this homemade recipe for Soft Scrub that does not use bleach from Rachel of Creative Homemaking. I had everything on hand, but it does call for Tea Tree Oil. If you don't have Tea Tree Oil, try this DIY Soft Scrub recipe from Christine at Saved By Grace which only requires 2 ingredients.
Becca @ The Earthlings Handbook says
June 26, 2013 at 1:02 pmI use baking soda to clean my sink and to scrub difficult spots on the dishes. I made a handy shaker for my baking soda! I also mix it with liquid soap to make a soft scrub sometimes.