Comments on: Weekend project: Tackle the area beneath your kitchen sink

By: Mikey

Mikey — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:40:21 +0000

My tip is to use a vinyl flooring remnant to line the bottom — if you get a leak or spill, cleanup is easy.

By: Lara

Lara — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:39:47 +0000

Spending money on rarely-seen storage accessories seems like a waste. There shouldn’t be places like the Container Store.

Don’t buy so many chemicals in the first place.

By: Christine

Christine — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 05:07:27 +0000

I am actually a garbage under the sink advocate. I thought about getting a step can, but then realized I’d not only have to spend beaucoups bucks on it, but I’d also have to put it somewhere. Now, I have my small can, another smaller can for recyclables, and a few select cleaning items (dishwashing liquid, spray cleaner, and baking soda for sink scrubbing) under the sink. (And, it’s a really small area there…not much space at all in my kitchen, I’m afraid!).

By: Erin Doland

Erin Doland — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 23:47:25 +0000

There is now a Weekend Projects section in the category list. Unfortunately, there are only three right now … but we’ll add more over the coming weeks, years, decades

By: Jason

Jason — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:38:00 +0000

Nice tips. Here’s another one you might find helpful. Install door racks. I find this very convenient as you don’t have to reach back underneath the sink for the common under the sink items like liquid soap etc. It also can save a bit of space too if you do it right. This is especially helpful for the older folks who would like to save their backs:)

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:30:23 +0000

Too funny, I just did this last weekend! I had this highly annoying under sink “disorganizer” like this:
http://www.stacksandstacks.com.....anizer.htm

It was really terrible, not wide enough to hold many things and so all of my bottles of cleaner kept falling off the back. Also it was hard to stack things on the top shelf so they fell off. I replaced it with a caddy for cleaners in spray bottles and a small basket for sponges, dishwasher tabs, and other stuff. So glad to be rid of it!

I would also love to see a weekend projects category…with spring coming up it is a great time to declutter!

By: Erin Doland

Erin Doland — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:36:53 +0000

@Melanie — Great idea! I think there will only be three or four posts in the category as of right now … but we have plans to have more, so this is a great suggestion!

By: Melanie

Melanie — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:28:54 +0000

Erin, might you consider adding a “Weekend Project” category?

By: Beth

Beth — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:16:14 +0000

I spent a Saturday this past January cleaning out the abyss that was under my bathroom sink. I now have clear shoeboxes which are labeled “Oral Care”, “Skin Care & Shaving”, “Hair Supplies”, “Summer Items” (i.e. aloe lotion, suntan lotion)and one box just for all of those samples you get in the mail. I was amazed on how many things I could toss - and that I don’t have to buy deodorant, razors, or toothpaste for months! Plus, it makes sense to go through makeup and other items periodically and discard any old items.

I also keep a travel container packed with toothpaste, deodorant, mouthwash, a new toothbrush and extra contact lens supplies just in case I go away for a weekend or have to take a change of clothes somewhere for a night out.

Now I know where everything is, have room for my cleaning supplies under the sink - instead of the hall linen closet - and am probably saving money because I am not buying that toothbrush every 3 months when I already have 3 laying around somewhere but can’t find them.

By: Kris

Kris — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:40:03 +0000

We keep a our mop pail under the pipes ‘just in case’. Other items under the sink are extra sponges, household spray (Mrs. Meyers that we mix ourselves), a big jar of vinegar for cleaning and dishwasher soap. Oh, and a fire extinguisher. Anything else that’s chemical related (which we’ve really tried to get rid of all of those) is stored in the garage where our two boys can’t get to it. Those items include carpet cleaner, draino, Fabreze and a can of bug spray. Once we get rid of our carpeting (I detest carpet), the carpet cleaner will be gone. And the draino I might as well get rid of as we use Bac-Out now and that works much better anyway.

Oh, and I love the idea of the cast off hospital bins being to such good use. Fabulous idea.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:53:48 +0000

Thanks for the budget-conscious ideas! I am extremely organized despite a lack of funds, but I do often wish for ways to make things the way I really want them to be!

By: matt

matt — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:54:00 +0000

Great post, and nice organization under your kitchen sink! But the trash can must go under the sink in some cases. We’ve got a small-to-moderate sized kitchen, so space-wise it makes the most sense.

Regardless, this is great blog! Very enjoyable…

By: Hooked on Houses

Hooked on Houses — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:45:14 +0000

I’m afraid of what I’ll find under there, to be honest! It’s been a while since I tackled that dark, scary place under the sink where old sponges go to die. I think you’ve inspired me to tackle it for once and for all, though. Wish me luck!

By: Ann

Ann — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:31:54 +0000

We use the small dish pans to hold that stuff too. Got them at the dollar store. Our under-sink areas are all empty. We have a 3 year old. The dish pans make it easy to get the stuff from the top shelf of the pantry/ bathroom closet.

By: kim

kim — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:17:19 +0000

I was thinking about this last week and ordered a pull-out made by SimpleHuman (from The Containter Store). It came today so this may be my evening project. I’m betting I can throw away half of what’s down there.

By: Sasha

Sasha — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:26:19 +0000

Good area to point out, often overlooked. My under sink areas used to be a jumbled mess until I really looked at what I needed under there and now it’s organized and spacious. I like to use different containers to hold similar items. I have one rectangular container for all my cleaning products another container for extra toiletries, etc.

By: jcat

jcat — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:21:29 +0000

We have a pull-out unit very similar to the one pictured, and we got it at Ikea! Cheap!

Of course it’s not in the catalog or online, but in the store they have it in the same area they have the other under-sink cabinet and drawer-organizing stuff.

By: Geralin Thomas

Geralin Thomas — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:21:24 +0000

@Shannon,

Student budget did you say? A lot of people can’t afford “the good stuff” under their sinks; here is a less expensive alternative: shelves made to go inside school lockers. They work like a charm and can be found from August — October in any big-box store selling school supplies.

By: Debbie M

Debbie M — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:19:16 +0000

I like to use those plate racks (or the kind with wooden dowels coming up) to store very long/tall things under the sink that don’t fit anywhere else like cookie sheets, cutting boards. I also have one for lids for pans right behind my stack of pans. I have a few more things hanging from nails in the side of the cabinet.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:49:40 +0000

My husband has been hospitalized several times, and each time we have come home with hospital-issue rectuangular plastic containers, much like small dish pans. I store stuff in them, both under the kitchen sink and under the bathroom sinks. I always make sure one is situated under the trap, one under the water line valve, one under the garbage disposer. Drips corralled until repairs can be done, many times. Items collected by type. Cast-off hospital items re-used. Job done.