Within Your Walls

When was the last time you looked, and I mean really looked under your kitchen sink? What did you see? Was it a monster morphed out of the sea of chemicals or just everything else you tossed into the abyss? So, have you been putting off cleaning and organizing the underworld beneath your sink? With a few organizational tools it won’t be so scary next time you look into the netherworld.

It’s the same beast in everyone’s home, you don’t really know what under there, but you’re not sure you want to know either. Well start simple, armed with gloves (just in case) and a garbage bag start pulling EVERYTHING out. If you don’t remember or recognize the cleaner, throw it away. Remember, they make more. Continue pulling and throwing. Soon, you will be surrounded by the monster under the sink, (but it won’t be so scary this time).

Once you have everything out, the organizing can start. Take stock in what you have, and what should be under your kitchen cabinet. Remember, this is a place where pipes can leak. As a result, it’s not such a great idea to store paper products such as, napkins, plates, and towels under the sink. The things I keep under my sink are mostly cleaning related products and my garbage can. Now, the only reason I keep my garbage can under my sink is due to our garbage eating hound (this seems to be the only way I can keep her out of it). Therefore, it is at your discretion to put the garbage under the sink. After deciding what stays and what goes, the next logical step is to put it all back.

I’m going to show you some products that can also utilize the vertical space of your cabinet thus, not having such an overcrowded area.

1. Rubbermaid “Stack n’ Slide” storage bins. I use these and they are great. I like putting my cleaning products in bins, because you never know when something is going to leak. This way it is contained and it’s less to clean up. You can find these at K-mart and Lowes and they range in price from $5.49 to around $20.00 depending on the size. The “stacking” role is obvious, you can stack multiple bins on top of each other. The “slide” function is also nice, the entire base slides out so you can find what you’re looking for without taking the entire bin out of the cabinet.
I have one large bin and a smaller one on top. I also own another small bin for insect and room sprays. The things I keep in the other bins are item I use mostly in the kitchen, dish detergent & soap, sponges, Swiffers, Bar keepers Friend, cleaning gloves, floor cleaners, heavy duty hand cleaners, and lotion.

2. Over the cabinet baskets. If you don’t have a pull out tray for the sponges and scrubbers you are currently using, this is helpful to get them off your counter top. The baskets either mount on your cabinet door or hang over the door. I had to search for this piece, and found two options. One from Amazon.com which ranged in price from $8.74-$12.74. The other is from Lowes.com by Rev-a-Shelf, and costs $28.07. Both nice looking units, however I am fairly certain you could find one at Wal-Mart as well.

3. Plastic tool caddy. They are great for taking the 5 cleaners you use, around your house on cleaning day. Yes, I said 5, truthfully 5 is all you really need.

• Multi-purpose Cleaner
• Glass Cleaner
• Pledge or other Dusting agent
• Clorox/bleach
• Toilet Cleaner

You don’t need all those specialty cleaners that the media is jamming down our throats, just the basics. Before I digress you can purchase these for under $10.00. I found this one from ACE hardware for $8.99

4. Plastic Grocery Bag holder. If you don’t have one you should, they are such a space saver. They mount on your cabinet

door, and then just stuff the bags in the top and pull out one from the bottom.  I found two, Kmart sells theirs for roughly $6.00 and Lowes is in the area of $15.00. I’m not totally sold on the $15.00 holder, only because no one will see it, so why spend that much money when you can get the same item for $10.00 less.

5. Finally, a small cleaning bucket or trash can for recyclables, and a large plastic cup from a convenience store soda. I keep a measuring cup in it and it’s only use is to measure out concentrated cleaning products, after I’m done it goes in the cup (so I don’t accidentally use it on my next baking venture).

Organizing one spot in your house at a time won’t feel so overwhelming and yet, will still give you a sense of accomplishment. Eventually everything will come together and you will live in a well organized and uncluttered home. So, one at a time, I will help you banish all the hidden monsters of your home. Making every cabinet and closet a safe and usable space once again with the help of a few simple product and tools.

Trackback URL

Amazon, Cleaners, Kitchen, Kmart, Lowes, Organizing, Rubbermaid. Rev-a-Shelf, Under Cabinet, Wal-Mart