4 Things You Should Never Store Under Your Kitchen Sink — And 3 You Should
The cabinet under your kitchen sink is probably the trickiest one in the entire space. (Yes, even trickier than a corner cabinet.) It’s pretty prime real estate, but it feels weird to store, say, your Dutch oven in there. So what should you keep in your under-the-sink cabinets? Let’s take a look.
Here are our guidelines for using the cabinets under your kitchen sink effectively and safely.
Don’t store anything paper under the sink.
An obvious one: Steer clear of putting anything made of paper, like paper towels or paper bags, under the sink, as these things could become damaged or unusable in the unlikely event that your pipes leak. (Another good reason to invest in some eco-friendly, reusable microfiber cloths!)
Don’t store electronics under the sink.
It may seem convenient to keep your hand vac below your sink for easy access, but beacuse these items can be irreversibly damaged by water, it’s better to keep them in a separate place, like your pantry or a cabinet that doesn’t have pipes. Consider storing a small broom and dustpan under the sink instead!
Don’t store potentially harmful chemicals under the sink.
Even if you child- or pet-proof your under-sink storage, it’s still risky to store strong chemicals (like bleach!) somewhere that’s too easily accessible. Instead, store them in a more secure location, like a higher shelf, your basement, or the garage.
Don’t store anything flammable under the sink.
Don’t keep anything that could burst into flames (such as paint thinner or varnishes, or certain cleaning products) under the sink. Of course, this is really a concern if your under-sink space has electrical components, but it’s just best to keep all risky products outside of the kitchen!
Do store other cleaning products under the sink.
Under-sink storage might not be a good place for those more serious chemicals, but it’s perfect for your everyday cleaning products, like all-purpose sprays, dish soap, and glass spray. (If you have the stuff nearby, you’ll be more likely to actually use it.) Tip: To keep things extra tidy, try hanging your cleaners and rags on a tension rod!
Read more: The 9 Most Brilliant Under-the-Sink Organizing Tips and Tricks You’ll Wish You Knew About Way Earlier
Do store plastic products under the sink.
Under the sink is a good home for anything that won’t get ruined if it happens to get wet, like trash bags (just take them out of the cardboard box first!) and extra plastic grocery bags. If there’s anything you don’t particularly want to get wet, then use a plastic or glass container or organizer for storage.
Do store recycling under the sink.
We have a decent debate about whether or not garbage belongs under the kitchen sink (see: 5 Reasons I Don’t Keep My Trash Can in a Cabinet), but there’s no reason not to keep your recyclables beneath the sink until you take them out. Just get a small plastic recycling bin and you’re ready to go!
What are some other things you DO keep under your kitchen sink?