3 min readIf you’ve landed on this page, you’ve probably been thinking about the items you currently store under your kitchen sink and whether they’re safe there. The items you stash in this area may seem trivial at first, but double-checking that they’re safe can be particularly important.
“You have to be careful about what you store under the kitchen sink because there’s always a chance of a leak, moisture, or cleaning products spilling,” says Olivia Parks, professional organizer and co-owner of The Organizer Directory. “Anything stored there can potentially get wet, damaged, or exposed to chemicals.” You also risk forgetting items you keep there, especially if they make their way to the back of this area and it is cluttered. Amélie Saint-Jacques, a professional home organizer at Amelie Organizes in San Antonio, advises getting a child lock, especially if you have any little ones at home, to prevent them from accidentally getting ahold of these products.
Read on for seven items professional organizers recommend never storing under the kitchen sink—you’ll be thankful you made the time.
Food
Even though this might seem obvious, you might be surprised to learn that some people keep snacks and dog kibble under their kitchen sink—and this is a big no-no.
“One reason people may store food under the sink is lack of space to store it elsewhere and the mindset that it is in the kitchen,” says Audra George, owner and professional organizer at Pretty Neat: An Organizational Solution in Oklahoma City. “Store human food in a pantry or cabinet and pet food in a dry environment or in a lidded bin with a lid.”
Not only can moisture potentially find its way onto your food and/or its containers, but Parks notes that since many people store cleaning products under the kitchen sink, you might leave yourself open to the possibility of these products accidentally contaminating your food or snacks, which can be harmful if ingested.
Linens
While you might be tempted to store nice napkins or tablecloths under your kitchen sink for convenience’s sake, Parks advises against it.
“If there's a leak under your sink, the moisture from it can leave them wet, stained, or even smelling musty. And if they stay damp long enough, they could even get mildew on them,” says Parks. “But instead of keeping them under the sink, I would definitely recommend storing your nice kitchen linens in a dry drawer, cabinet, pantry, or linen closet, where they can't get wet or damaged.”
Batteries
It may be easy for you to overlook storing batteries under your kitchen sink, especially if you barely use them. However, they can be dangerous if left unattended and contaminated.
“They can get near moisture, and it's not good for them,” says Tonia Tomlin, a professional organizer and president of Sorted Out. “I would instead store them in the kitchen or utility room.”
Medications and Supplements
If you’re someone who routinely takes medicine or supplements, Amy Mayorga, founder and head organizer at Minimalista Organizing in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, notes that you should never store them under the kitchen sink.
Since many medications are temperature- and humidity-sensitive, you should store them in an area of the home without this risk of fluctuation.
Glass
Since you might not carefully look under your kitchen sink every time you grab something from the space (but more so just put your hand underneath), Parks notes that keeping glass pieces in this area is usually not a smart choice.
“You’re reaching around pipes and other items, so it’s easy to accidentally knock something over,” says Parks. “A vase or other glass item can get chipped or broken, especially if you’re moving cleaning products around to get to something in the back.”
Instead, she recommends storing glass items (especially those you don’t touch often) in cabinets or on shelves to avoid damage.
Candles
Tomlin notes that candles are another item that you’ll never want to place under the kitchen sink if you can help it.
“Some candles that would be near cleaning supplies can compromise the smell, and wicks get damp,” says Tomlin. “I would store them in a cabinet near where you entertain if you need candles in the kitchen. I actually store mine on a tray on the island in my kitchen.”
Electronics
Kathy Vines, a certified professional organizer at Clever Girl Organizing in Melrose, Massachusetts, notes that you should not place electronic devices of any kind under your kitchen sink.
Again, moisture and potential leaks can damage these devices. It’s a better idea to store them in another location, such as a cabinet or storage closet.
