First steps
Start here
- Test any cleaner on an inconspicuous area first.
- Wipe with a soft, dampened sponge or cloth.
- Rinse with water right after any cleaner.
- Don't let cleaner soak on the surface.
A thrift-shop smell in a sink, usually a musty, sour odor, points to mildew, and smoke or mothball odors can cling to a basin in the same way. Each sink material has its own limits, so vitreous china, enameled cast iron and acrylic each need a different level of care. If the odor sits deep in the basin, expect it to take repeated gentle cleaning rather than one hard scrub.
If you run a septic system, skip drain cleaner entirely and let time and soap do the work. Match the sink to its material before you pick any product, since acrylic and enamel don't take the same treatment. Once the basin is clean, an odor eliminator can help if the sour smell keeps coming back.
Before you start
What sinks can take
Safe to use1
- Water
Use with care4
- Soaking
- Chlorine bleach
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
Avoid1
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
7 items
What you'll need
Tap an item to get it on Amazon, or tick what you already have.
- Soft sponge or clothLifts loose grime without scrubbing the surface. (opens Amazon)
- Mild soapThe starting cleaner for vitreous china, used with warm water. (opens Amazon)
- General-purpose cleaner listed for your sink's materialFor heavily soiled spots. (opens Amazon)
- Soft abrasive cleanerOnly for stubborn marks on enameled cast iron or vitreous china. (opens Amazon)
- Cast iron cleaner made for enamelFor a mark on enameled cast iron.
- WaterTo rinse and to keep any abrasive wet.
- Soft dry clothFor blotting the sink dry. (opens Amazon)
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6 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 6
Test the cleaner first
Pick a hidden spot, like the inside of the basin or under the rim, and test any cleaner there before using it on the visible surface. Check the spot after rinsing to see how the sink responded.
Step 3 of 6
Use a general-purpose cleaner for heavy soil
If the sink is heavily soiled, use a general-purpose cleaner listed for your sink's material. Apply it to the soiled spot only, not the whole basin.
Step 4 of 6
Rinse away all cleaner
Rinse completely with water right after applying any cleaner, and rinse overspray off nearby surfaces too. Keep the rinse going until no cleaner film is left on the sink.
Careful. Don't let cleaners soak on the surface.
Step 5 of 6
Work stubborn marks gently
For a stubborn stain on enameled cast iron or vitreous china only, use a soft abrasive cleaner sparingly. Work it in a little at a time and stop once the mark lifts.
Careful. Never use abrasive cleaners without water.
Step 6 of 6
Blot the sink dry
Blot dry after cleaning, using a soft cloth rather than rubbing. Then check the spot in good light before you call it done.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for secondhand smell on sinks
A cast iron cleaner made for enamel removes marks and restores shine on enameled cast iron.
OdoBan Odor Eliminator & Disinfectant Concentrate
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on sinks, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
A smell that keeps coming back needs the longer treatment.
If the smell lingers →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
The sink should look clean and even, with no marks left in the spots you worked on. If a mark is still visible after rinsing and drying, stop and reassess rather than scrubbing harder.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your sinks
Vitreous china sink
Vitreous china doesn't need a stronger cleaner to start, so the soft cloth and mild cleaning do most of the work. Save the soft abrasive for a mark that won't lift.
Blot the sink dry when you're done, and check the spot in good light before you call it finished.
Enameled cast iron sink
Enameled cast iron is the one sink where the soft abrasive applies to stubborn marks. Use it sparingly, with water, and only after the soft cloth and mild cleaning haven't worked.
For a mark that keeps coming back, a cast iron cleaner made for enamel removes marks and restores shine.
Acrylic sink
Acrylic has no soft abrasive step at all, so the mark has to come off with the soft cloth and a general-purpose cleaner listed for acrylic. Rinse right after you apply it.
Dull or scratched acrylic can't be fixed with cleaning, so contact the manufacturer's customer service for repair.
Sink of unknown material
If you can't tell what the sink is made of, don't guess. Start with a soft dampened cloth and warm water, and test any cleaner on a hidden spot first.
Skip the soft abrasive entirely until you know the material, because it only applies to enameled cast iron or vitreous china.
If the smell lingers
If the mark is old, start with the same soft cloth and mild soap before reaching for anything stronger. Test the soft abrasive on a hidden spot first, and use it only on enameled cast iron or vitreous china.
If the stain has dried, the soft abrasive has to stay wet, since abrasive cleaners need water. Work in small amounts, rinse thoroughly, and blot the sink dry.
If the mark is still there after that, stop rather than moving to harsher products on acrylic or cast iron. Some marks won't come out, and that's the realistic outcome, so a professional can judge whether it can be improved.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on secondhand smell on sinks?
Most household remedies you'll see online are built for fabric or other surfaces, so only a few belong near a sink. Some help, some aren't needed, and some can do harm.
Skip5Avoid1
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't use abrasive cleansers or solvents on acrylic
They damage the bath surface, so an acrylic sink needs only a soft cloth, water and a cleaner listed for acrylic. Avoid aerosol cleaning products on acrylic too.
Don't use steel wool, wire brushes or abrasive pads on cast iron
These are off-limits on cast iron. For everyday wiping, a soft cloth does the job, and the soft abrasive is only for stubborn marks.
Don't use ammonia cleaners on vitreous china
Ammonia cleaners can damage the finish on vitreous china. Mild soap and warm water is the safer first choice there.
When to call a professional
For dull or scratched acrylic, contact the manufacturer's customer service for repairs. Improper care and cleaning can void a cast iron sink's warranty, so check the warranty before trying stronger treatments.
Questions
Is thrift drain cleaner safe for septic systems?
Skip drain cleaners when cleaning the sink. Before you use any drain product on a septic system, check with a septic professional to see which ones are safe for your tank.
Does airing out a thrift item help the smell?
Often, yes. Air the items out first, since airing can often remove odors, and check the care label before you decide what to try next.
How do I know what my sink is made of?
Don't guess. Start with a soft dampened cloth and warm water, test any cleaner on a hidden spot, and skip the soft abrasive until you know the material.
How long can a cleaner stay on the sink?
Not long. Rinse it off right after you apply it, since the steps don't give a set time and cleaner shouldn't soak in.
Can I clean a dry-clean-only item at the sink?
No, and it isn't the right route for that kind of item. Take dry-clean-only items to a dry cleaner rather than trying to wash them at the sink. No, this cleaning is for the sink itself, not for garments; take dry-clean-only items to a dry cleaner.
What do I do if a sink mark won't come out?
Stop and reassess before trying anything harsher. On enameled cast iron or vitreous china, the soft abrasive used sparingly with water is the next step, and on acrylic, contact the manufacturer for repair.
Secondhand Smell on other materials
Other stains on sinks
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.