Sorting under-the-sink clutter

The area under your kitchen sink can easily become a disorganised mix of cleaning products, supplies and other paraphernalia – read on for some clever ways to sort it all out…

• Stack storage bins on top of each other to make the most of the vertical space under the sink – opt for clear ones so you can find what you need in a jiffy.
• Install a thin rail inside the cabinet under the sink to hang spray bottles (window cleaner and stain remover, etc) side by side from their trigger-like handles. That way you leave room at the bottom to store other items.
• Use the backs of the cabinet doors as storage with narrow shelves and baskets. Or screw hooks into the doors for hanging dish towels, feather dusters, scrubbing brushes, etc. A clear plastic shoe organizer, cut to size and stuck to the back of the door, can hold everything from sponges to scrubbing brushes.
• If you’re feeling especially industrious, you can custom-build a storage shelf or two with indentations that allow for the pipes that run under the sink. Add a few pull-out baskets to hold bits and pieces.
• Make yourself a few cleaning kits. Keep all the dishwashing supplies together in one container, all the floor-cleaning essentials in another, etc. That way, they can easily be lifted and carried to where you need them.
• If you have small children, add tamper-proof locks to the cabinets under the sink where cleaning products are kept, or move them out of reach entirely.
• Opt for plastic and/or rust-resistant shelving and storage solutions that won’t damage easily in the event of leaks and spills.
• Put the most-frequently-used items closer to the front of the shelf, so you don’t have to root around on your hands and knees to get to things. Large bottles, like bulky detergents and bleach, can be stashed right at the back inside a large basket, along with seldom-used products. Even cooking items that you use less frequently, like your slow cooker, can sit in the back.
• Under the sink is also a great place to store cutting boards, muffin tins, baking sheets and supper trays in neat rows, standing up.
• Line up your flower vases under the sink, with your floral scissors hanging close by.
• Leaks happen unexpectedly, so make sure you can clear the area under the sink super quick if you need to. Avoid storing anything that cannot get damp or wet, just in case of a leak.
• Under the sink is the perfect spot for a fire extinguisher – always a good thing to have in the house.
• If your cleaning supplies have another home, turn the cabinets under your sink into a recycling station, with bins for your glass, plastic and/or paper.
• Or use one side of the cabinet to hold pet supplies – from bowls, leashes and grooming kits to dry food in clear canisters.
• If your under-the-sink space is limited, consider only keeping kitchen-related cleaning supplies there and move the rest to another cupboard, to the laundry room, store room, or relocate items to a shelf in your garage.

Have you got tips for keeping the area under your sink organised and clutter-free? Share them with us…