23 March
Cleaning
4

Revamped & Organized! Solutions for a (Tricky) Cleaning Cabinet Under the Kitchen Sink

It’s been five years since I last posted my solution for under the kitchen sink organization, and it’s also been five years since I’ve given any attention to my cleaning cabinet system. The solutions I implemented back at the beginning of 2017 worked well for us and stayed well maintained…for a while, at least. But, since then, gradually over the years, we’ve gotten new countertops, a new sink, new faucets, had a leak, installed a new garbage disposal… you get it. A lot has gone on that has altered the state of organization in the cabinet below the sink. Somewhere along the way, we gathered everything into crates so work could be done, but then when it was completed, we didn’t take the time to reset the “system,” nor did everything make its way back in the cabinet. But today, just in time for the first week of spring, we’re back in action with refined organization and updated organizers to best serve our family in 2022!

*Posts on KelleyNan.com may contain affiliate links. While this post is created in partnership Walmart, all opinions, concept, and creative are my own. Click HERE for full disclosure.*

How to Organize Under the Kitchen Sink Cabinet

Under the Kitchen Sink Organizers — The Challenge

As a refresh, we had a system that worked pretty efficiently with minimal upkeep, but after a series of events, found ourselves back at square one.

How to Organize Under the Kitchen Sink

Here are the challenges for our kitchen sink cabinet…

  • It’s a corner cabinet — while it has a ton of room, most space isn’t able to be reached and is too deep to access.
  • A lot of space is rendered unusable because the pipes and plumbing are situated right in the center of the cabinet.
  • Even worse than the plumbing, of all the locations in that entire large cabinet, the electrical outlet was placed in the center, inches from the cabinet doors.
  • No pre-designed sink system will accommodate all the special needs, dimensions, and constraints of this cabinet.
Here’s a peek inside…

Under the Kitchen Cabinet Organization Ideas

It’s hard to grasp the depth and space in real terms by viewing a flat photo, but the electric especially wastes so much space, I almost considered contacting an electrician to move the outlet. I now know for the future 😉 The corner of the outlet is positioned less than 9″ from the cabinet opening!

Ok, right before I worked up the motivation to reclaim our cabinet and slightly modify/upgrade the previous system that generally worked well for our under the kitchen sink cabinet and our family, this is what the lazy version of our cleaning cabinet had become…

Before-- How to Organize Under the Kitchen Sink

After clearing everything out, grouping items together, determining what should go in the cabinet, and then coming up with easy-to-access-on-a-daily-basis solutions, this is what the kitchen cabinet is looking like today!

Under the Kitchen Sink Organizing for Awkward Cabinets

Sources:  Command Cup on Door | 12″ Turntable | Chrome Risers  (I used 2) | Clear Bins from Home Edit Cube | Clear Handled Bin w/Dividers | Narrow Bin w/Handle Cut Out | OXO Pop Canister | Amber Glass Spray Bottles (set of 2) | Bamboo Handle Scrub Brush (set of 2) | Steel Wool Scrubber | Dye-free Scrub Daddy | Dish Towels (set of 2) | Gloves | Magnetic Child Locks

Under the Kitchen Sink Organizers — The Approach

As with the start of any organization project, before starting the figuring or implementation of any system, I needed to clear out the cabinet, but also gather all the extra cleaning supplies that had been scattered between the back of the under kitchen sink cabinet, basement, garage, and bathroom.

I’ve ordered most of my fresh organizers and storage solutions for 2022 from Walmart and a new fun find to store and corral the bulk cleaning supplies and back-stock were THESE collapsible crates. They come as a set of three and when not in use, can lay flat on a shelf, under a shelf/bed, etc. or be set flat vertically between a shelf and a wall. They are also stackable.

How to Store Cleaning Supplies

Sources: Collapsible Storage Crates (set of 3)

While the white are the “large” size, they come in multiple colors and sizes — I love the pink shade in small (HERE) and medium (HERE) (again, they come as a set of three).

Cleaning Supplies Storage Ideas

Sources: Collapsible Storage Crates (set of 3)

I wanted to make sure the cabinet below the kitchen sink had at least one of everything, and maybe even one restock bottle of some of my most often used items. Everything else was corralled into the collapsible storage crates to go on our big metal rack in the garage, just through the door in the back of the kitchen. Using my handheld labeler (which I shared and raved about in THIS office organization post), I quickly labeled the crates and then kept the label maker on standby as I worked my way through the cabinet.

Cleaning Supplies and Collapsible Crate Storage

Sources: Collapsible Storage Crates (set of 3)

Sources/Favorite Cleaning Products: Mrs. Meyers Multi-Surface | Microfiber Cloths | Bar Keepers Friend | Mr. Clean Clean Freak | Hope’s Perfect Stainless | Hope’s Perfect Glass | Dawn Power Wash | Wright’s Silver Cream | Magic Erasers | Food Grade Mineral Oil | Soft Scrub | Furniture Stick | 3-pack Clorox Wipes

As a side note, if you’re storing in plain sight, THESE cane sided crates I used in my entry are a great functional, affordable option!

Easy Decorating Ideas for the Home Entry for Fall

Sources: Rattan Cane Crate (large) | Wood Bead Garland | Neutral Tufted Pillow | Caramel Fringed Pillow

As I mentioned, the electrical outlet centered in the cabinet, positioned at less than 9″ from the cabinet doors is the primary challenge. It prevents any organization solution that would be central-based. Instead, in our cabinet, I have to implement my system and organizers using the sides of the cabinet as the primary access points. Instead of going straight across, my organizers are positioned in more of a “U” shape.

It’s important to make use of the vertical space and the depth, but can be a challenge without making items difficult to access. For this reason, the MVPS of any deep cabinet are turntables and risers. A turntable can quickly bring anything that’s far back right around to the front efficiently (without having to knock over supplies in the process), and risers are going to provide “shelving” and flat surfaces you would otherwise miss.

How to Organize Under the Kitchen Sink and Favorite Organizers

Sources:  12″ Turntable | Chrome Risers  (I used 2) | Clear Bins from Home Edit Cube | Clear Handled Bin w/Dividers | Narrow Bin w/Handle Cut Out | OXO Pop Canister | Amber Glass Spray Bottles (set of 2) | Bamboo Handle Scrub Brush (set of 2)  | Dye-free Scrub Daddy | Gloves | Magnetic Child Locks

I found THIS affordable metal riser at Walmart that comes in three sizes and three colors (mine is the medium). I actually straddled part of the outlet with the riser so I could still make use of some of the shallow front center space. I kept some of my daily access items (like my dishwashing tabs) positioned in the easiest access spot, while nestling additional dish items below. My favorite clear handle divider bins fit perfectly under the riser and the handles make accessibility so much simpler! They come as a set of two and mine are the medium sized (HERE). I included them in this past week’s SAP as a 2022 highlight (HERE), along with my recent office organization post (HERE), but they also absolutely shine in a pantry.

Organizing Under the Kitchen Sink and Awkward Kitchen Cabinet Ideas

Sources:  Chrome Risers  (I used 2) | Clear Bins from Home Edit Cube | Clear Handled Bin w/Dividers | Narrow Bin w/Handle Cut Out | OXO Pop Canister | Amber Glass Spray Bottles (set of 2) Clear Bin from Home Edit Modular System | Bamboo Handle Scrub Brush (set of 2) | Steel Wool Scrubber | Dye-free Scrub Daddy | Magnetic Child Locks

As I mentioned, I have a bit of a unique situation. While two of the handle bins could technically fit well under the riser, I am working around a centered outlet and there isn’t enough depth in front of the outlet for a second handled bin in my case. Fortunately, I’ve been using THIS 8-piece modular storage system and THIS 10-piece modular storage system all over the house and had the perfect small compartment to stash a few scrubbies in (that fit perfectly in front of the outlet).

Organization Ideas for Under the Kitchen Sink

Sources: Chrome Riser | Bins from Home Edit Cube | Cleaning Cloths | Silver Polish | Magic Erasers | Bin w/Handle Cut Out | Amber Spray Bottles (set of 2) | OXO Pop Up Container | Clear Bin from Home Edit Modular System | Bamboo Scrub Brush (set of 2) | Clear Handle Bin w/Dividers (set of 2) 

While you can see the modular systems working well together in a drawer capacity in my office organization post HERE, the modular systems also work well together vertically, stacked in the cabinet, here. I keep my microfiber cleaning cloths on top for quick grab-and-go and restock accessibility, with less frequently used items stacked below. These modular systems are exclusive to Walmart and have been selling quickly every time they’re restocked! I have several of the pieces from the new Home Edit collection and they all work incredibly well together — you can find them all HERE. While all solutions available ship quickly, a lot of the components are available at our local stores and can be purchased for pick-up or store delivery, too.

Organizing Under the Kitchen Sink Ideas

8-Piece Modular Storage System | 10-Piece Modular Storage System

By the way, if you haven’t gotten on the microfiber towel cleaning train, do it. Especially for glass, countertops and appliances, where streaks are most noticeable. You can grab a pack of 30 HERE.

Sitting just beside my dishwashing tablets, THIS clear handle bin holds my trio of self-mixed cleaners perfectly. You can find the amber glass bottles HERE.

Ideas for Under the Kitchen Sink Organizing

Amber Bottles | Clear Handle Container | Label Maker

The plumbing and electrical outlet prevent me from being able to go really large on a turntable, but I ordered THIS set of two from Walmart — a 12″ and an 18″ lazy Susan — and the 12″ worked perfectly. I’ll be using the 18″ either in my pantry or in a bathroom cabinet that has more space. Because a turntable spins 360 degrees, you don’t have to have the entire component accessible from all angles. Mine works well with only a few inches of accessibility!

Under the Kitchen Sink Organizers and Ideas for Kitchen Cabinet Organization

If you don’t need a two-pack with two sizes, I also ordered THIS Mainstays (Walmart brand) 12″ turntable and it’s almost identical — I’ll also be using that in one of our bathroom vanities. It’s currently under $8 HERE and also works well in a refrigerator.

Under the Kitchen Sink Organizers

Turntable (12″)

Under the Kitchen Sink Organizers and Organization Ideas

Sources:  Command Cup on Door | 12″ Turntable | Chrome Risers  (I used 2) | Clear Bins from Home Edit Cube | Clear Handled Bin w/Dividers | Narrow Bin w/Handle Cut Out | OXO Pop Canister | Amber Glass Spray Bottles (set of 2) | Bamboo Handle Scrub Brush (set of 2)  | Clear Bin from Home Edit Modular System | Steel Wool Scrubber | Dye-free Scrub Daddy | Magnetic Child Locks

When you move the turntable out of the way, here’s a glimpse of the far side of the cabinet — overstock of often used items — not as accessible, but still available and displayed so they’re easy to see. If you just line your items up in the back of the cabinet, you’ll never be able to see/remember what you have and what you need more of. That’s another reason why I chose to store my extended back-stock in collapsible crates on shelves in the garage instead of housing them all in the back of this cabinet.

How to Organize Deep Kitchen Cabinets

With my supplies and organizers coming all the way to the cabinet doors, there isn’t much space on the backs of the cabinet doors that can be used for additional storage… but there is some! I used THIS inexpensive Command caddy for sponges and scrubbers, currently in use. You could also use it for spare sink drains or accessories. There are multiple sizes available and just like the Command hooks, you just press a piece of foam adhesive on the back and then onto the cabinet door. I also used THIS command caddy for Eliza’s toothbrush and toothpaste on the back of her vanity cabinet door in her bathroom (post coming soon!)

Under the Kitchen Sink Organization and Cabinet Organizers

Sources: Command Caddy on Door 

By the way, I noticed my go-to Walmart kitchen towels now have several reviews and are ranked at an almost perfect 5* rating — and there’s a reason! I know I’ve shared these thick, absorbant towels before but I just got a new pack in the gray stripe and they’re currently only $4.97 for a pack of two. You can find them HERE. They also have four-packs with a variety of colors for under $8 HERE.

Kitchen Accessories

Sources: Dish Towels (set of 2)

How to Organize Under the Kitchen Sink

Organization all comes down to creating long-lasting, workable solutions, based on the confines of the space you’re working with and the subject of the matter you’re organizing. So how’s it going at our house? I mentioned before, this solution is incredibly similar to the solution I landed on years ago, just refined and updated and catered to our needs in the current year. So, no surprise, I organized this space about a month ago and it’s *thank goodness* still in perfect condition.

I’m all about revisiting, modifying, and adapting. Eliminate what doesn’t work, focus on and replicate what does, and make sure aesthetics are second to the actual functionality of your space. It’s been a while, so I have several more organization projects coming to the blog soon! To catch them all, subscribe to emails at the bottom of this post.

Under the Kitchen Sink Organizers — Shop the Post

Cabinet Organizers: Command Cup on Door | 12″ Turntable | Chrome Risers  (I used 2) | Clear Bins from Home Edit Cube | Clear Handled Bin w/Dividers | Narrow Bin w/Handle Cut Out | OXO Pop Canister | Amber Glass Spray Bottles (set of 2) | Bamboo Handle Scrub Brush (set of 2) | Steel Wool Scrubber | Dye-free Scrub Daddy | Dish Towels (set of 2) | Gloves | Magnetic Child Locks | Label Maker | Collapsible Storage Crates (set of 3)

Fave Cleaners: Mrs. Meyers Multi-Surface | Microfiber Cloths | Bar Keepers Friend | Mr. Clean Clean Freak | Hope’s Perfect Stainless | Hope’s Perfect Glass | Dawn Power Wash | Wright’s Silver Cream | Magic Erasers | Food Grade Mineral Oil | Soft Scrub | Furniture Stick | 3-pack Clorox Wipes

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4 Comments

  1. 5.2.22
    Sally said:

    Love your style! I’ll be sure to incorporate!

    Reply
    • 5.9.22
      Kelley Nan said:

      Sally, Thank you for taking the time to stop by. I appreciate your kind note so much.

      Reply
  2. 1.8.23
    Cynthia said:

    Thank you for the kitchen sink organization tips. Could you please provide the source for the stone riser on your countertop near the sink.

    Reply
    • 1.8.23
      Kelley Nan said:

      Hi Cynthia, Thank you for taking the time to stop by! The marble tray came from PB years ago and is no longer available.

      Reply