Your junk drawer may not be the only clutter magnet in your kitchen—the cabinet under the kitchen sink also has a tendency to collect household items that don't quite have a dedicated home. Whether it's extra paper towels, pet food, or even small appliances, odds are you've stashed something random under there—especially if you're tight on storage in the kitchen.
But according to Mattie Sheppard, a professional cleaner and home stager with Real Estate Bees, there are some things you should absolutely never keep under the kitchen sink. “Hands down, under-the-sink storage is one of the worst storage spots in a home," she explains. "And here’s why—it's dark, it's cramped, it has plumbing and moisture, and it often has small leaks that people do not notice for months. Not to mention the fact that it rarely gets cleaned properly." For a cleaner, safer, and more pest-resistant kitchen, it’s worth taking a closer look at what lives there. Ahead, Sheppard shares 10 things you should not store under your kitchen sink and why.
10 Things You Should Not Store Under the Kitchen Sink:
Storing the wrong products under your sink can lead to all kinds of safety and hygiene concerns, including mold growth, corrosion, and even accidental poisoning, Sheppard warns. She recommends storing the following items elsewhere to ensure everything—and everyone—in your home stays safe.
- Food of any kind
- Paper towels or napkins
- Pet food
- Vitamins, supplements, or medicine
- Small appliances
- Important documents
- Flammable products
- Paint
So, what can you store under the kitchen sink?
If your pantry and kitchen cabinets are at capacity, there are still a few things you can safely stow under the sink. Sheppard recommends sticking to nonperishable household items like trash bags, dishwasher tablets, a cleaning caddy, or backup hand or dish soap. "Definitely nothing you would eat, nothing that absorbs moisture, and nothing that's flammable,” she adds.
Sheppard also recommends checking the area monthly to make sure there are no leaks or signs of moisture buildup.
"As a professional cleaner and staging expert, this is one of the first places I check in a home to see how well the house is maintained," she says. "If your own cabinet is packed right now, fix it today—a little prevention now beats expensive repairs later."
Tierney McAfee is a freelance writer and Country Living and The Pioneer Woman contributor who covers entertainment, holiday & entertaining, food & drinks, design ideas, DIY, and more.
