Under-Sink Organization could be helpful to have a better kitchen.
Your sink cabinet attracts clutter quickly and easily. But that doesn’t mean it has to stay cluttered! Choose a few systems that work for you and create a clean, efficient zone that helps with daily tasks instead of hindering them.
Empty the Cabinet
Before you start placing in bins or organizers, pull everything out. Take inventory of what actually belongs under the sink and you’ll find you can quickly eliminate duplicate bottles, old cleaners, and things that should be stored elsewhere.
Wipe down the floor of the cabinet and check for leaks from pipes, the garbage disposal unit or any areas that look moldy or mildewed. You’ll want to start with a clean slate so that your decisions from here on out aren’t influenced by or ruined by invisible clutter.
Group Like Items Using Stackable Bins
Stackable bins are great because they allow you to section off areas vertically without making the space feel closed-off or cluttered. Stackable bins will also allow you to keep like-items together so you don’t have to dig around when you’re in the middle of cleaning.
- Designate a bin for dishwashing related items.
- Store your sponges and scrub brushes together.
- Store trashcan liners in their own bin.
- Keep specialty cleaners together according to the job you’ll use them for.
- If possible, use clear bins to maximize visibility.
Creating categories for every type of item allows you to grab what you need and return it with ease. This will help the space stay neat and tidy with minimal effort.
Make Sure Your Organizers Fit First
Believe it or not, style comes second when it comes to organizing under your sink. Because of pipes, garbage disposals and swinging cabinet doors, you might find you don’t have as much space as you thought.
Take measurements of width, depth and height before you shop for any containers so you’ll know what will and will not fit. You want to ensure you don’t buy anything that will prevent you from opening your cabinet or block your pipes.
Invest in Pull-Out Drawers or Tray
Deep cabinets are much more functional when you add in pull out drawers or trays. These allows you to easily see everything you own without having to dig to the back of the cabinet to reach your supplies. They also work well for heavier items that are needed often.
Look for shallow trays that can fit under the sink to hold sprays, paper towels, or dishwasher detergent pods. If your pipes are in the center of the cabinet, measure around them and look for pull-out drawers that either accommodate that space or are adjustable.
Under-Sink Organization: Decide What Should Live Under Your Sink
Just because you have the space under your sink doesn’t mean you should use it. Only keep items that you reach for daily or during clean-up should go under your sink.
- Keep your dish soap under the sink if you use it daily.
- Small bins work well for sponges and scrub brushes.
- Trash bags can easily be stood up or folded and fit perfectly in this space.
- You can keep dishwasher pods in a clear bin to help stay organized.
- If you use cleaning gloves and/or rags, keep them here in labeled bins.
Paper goods, food storage containers, and anything else that doesn’t need to be cleaned should be stored somewhere else. Moisture from leaks can ruin boxes and cans of food. Only use this space for supplies that you use for cleaning.
Drawer Organizers on the Door
The inside of your cabinet door is perfect for storage that doesn’t take up any space on the ground of your cabinet. Look for over-the-door racks or adhesive pockets to keep lightweight items within reach, but off the ground of your cabinet.
Place things like gloves, extra sponges, small cleaning bottles or cleaning cloths here. Try to not overload the door with too many heavy items. You don’t want the door to become off-track or not close properly.
Under-Sink Organization: Label! Label! Label!
Have kids or a busy household? Place labels on the containers so everyone knows where everything should go when they are finished. Labels also prevent visual (and physical!) clutter.
When everything has a home and that home is labeled with something simple like cleaning wipes or trash bags there is no excuse for putting something where it doesn’t belong. You’ll also want to make sure that your labels can be seen when you or your family are standing in front of the cabinet. Visibility will ensure everyone does their part when putting things away.
Add Some Tension Rods and Hooks
Tension rods and small hooks can work wonders when you have limited space. They take up no permanent space in your cabinet, but create areas to hang things you may need.
Hang your spray bottles by the trigger with a hook. Or hang cleaning cloths over a tension rod with a clothes clip. Not only do these little additions free up shelf space, but they make grabbing commonly used items and tools faster and easier.
Under-Sink Organization: Maintain Your System
The best way to ensure your under sink cabinet stays clean is to make it easy to put away. You’re not trying to be perfect, you’re creating a system that allows you and your family to put stuff away with little effort.
Take one minute each week to ensure all items are in their proper spot and throw away anything that is empty or expired. This quick tidying will help you maintain your system instead of letting clutter build up again.
