A 3-compartment sink is a great feature for any kitchen or bathroom. It has three separate basins so you don’t have to dirty up one large bowl just to wash one small dish. But, like all multi-compartment sinks, 3-compartment sinks require special attention. If not drained properly, they can become breeding grounds for nasty bacteria and other unpleasant organisms. The bacteria can then be transferred back to your dishes, causing them to smell and look nasty much faster than they would if they were just sitting in a single basin.Fortunately, it’s not difficult to properly maintain a 3-compartment sink. Follow these instructions to avoid having to clean your dishes twice as often or having to suffer from bad smells.

Identify the problem

The first step is to identify the problem. Once you know what the issue is, it’s easier to find a solution. So, what are the most common problems with 3-compartment sinks?First, you may not be able to find the faucet for the third bowl. This can be a problem if you’re short on cabinet space, or if you need to wash dishes from that bowl while someone is cooking in the other two. If you’re short on cabinet space, consider switching to a 2-faucet sink. If you need 3 faucets for dishes and cooking, consider installing a kitchen faucet with a diverter.Kitchen faucets with a diverter can direct water from one bowl to another, making it easy to switch between sinks. This can be especially helpful if you’re short on cabinet space, as it allows you to keep the third bowl close by without having to walk all the way to the other end of the kitchen.

Make a plan

Before you start, you’ll need to decide how you want to configure the sinks. For example, you may want to have the middle bowl for cooking only. If that’s the case, consider installing the hot water faucet in the middle bowl so you don’t have to waste time switching the faucets every time you need to use the hot water. This can also save you money in the long run, as it’s cheaper to run hot water out of the middle faucet than it is to run cold water out of the cold faucet.Next, decide how you want to configure the faucets. This will depend on what you want the sinks to be used for. For example, if you want to use the third bowl for dishes only, you’ll want to configure the faucets so the water temperature is warm. If you want to use the bowl for cooking only, you’ll want to configure the faucets so the water temperature is hot.If you want to use all three sinks for dishes, you’ll want to configure the faucets to have hot temperatures for all three. This will allow you to wash the dishes without having to change the faucets.

Drain the sinks

The first step to properly maintaining a 3-compartment sink is to drain it. There are two ways to do this. First, you can plug the faucets on the third bowl. This is best if you want to use the bowl for cooking only. If you want to use the bowl for dishes only, plug the faucets on the other two bowls and open the faucet on the bowl with the plug. This will allow you to quickly switch between bowls if you need to wash something in the third bowl.Next, place a plug or stopper in the drain. This will keep the water in the bowls from flowing back into the city sewer. If you don’t do this, the water will slowly flow back into the city sewer, causing a big mess.Finally, open the drains in the sinks that lead to the drains at the other end of the kitchen.

Clean the bowls

Next, clean the bowls by spraying them with a bleach and water mixture and scrubbing them with a scouring pad. If your bowls are made of plastic, you may want to replace them with stainless steel ones. Finally, rinse the bowls with warm water and let them air dry.

Change the water frequently

This is especially important if your water supply is chlorinated. You should change the water in your bowls every time you change the water in your main water supply. This will help prevent bacteria from spreading throughout your pipes and into your sinks.

Rinse your dishes before putting them in the sink

You should always rinse your dishes before putting them in the sink. This will prevent bacteria from growing inside the bowl and on your dishes. Bacteria can be transferred from one bowl to another when you’re washing dishes, so you should always rinse your dishes before putting them in the next bowl.

Conclusion

A 3-compartment sink can be a great feature in your kitchen or bathroom. However, it requires special attention to maintain. Make sure you follow these instructions to properly maintain a 3-compartment sink and keep it smelling fresh and clean. With a little bit of effort, you can keep your kitchen and home smelling great, even if your 3-compartment sink gets a little messy!