Okay, let’s have a heart-to-heart.
Under your kitchen sink right now:
Is it a black hole where sponges go to die?
Are you digging through a maze of dish soap, rubber gloves, and that one mystery bottle from 2019?
Do you brace yourself every time you open the cabinet like you’re defusing a bomb?
Yeah. Mine used to look like a crime scene too.
But after years of sponge avalanches, leaky cleaner explosions, and accidentally elbowing a bottle of bleach into my toe at 6 a.m., I went full Marie Kondo on my sink cabinet. And guess what? It changed my life. (Okay, maybe that’s dramatic. But it did make washing dishes slightly less tragic.)
So if you’re ready to turn your under-sink disaster zone into a Pinterest-worthy paradise of order, here are the top 15 kitchen sink organisation ideas that actually work — no fluff, no overpriced organisers, just real solutions from someone who’s been elbow-deep in dish soap since forever.
Let’s clean this mess up. 🧽
🛠️ 1. Use Tiered Pull-Out Baskets (Game. Changer.)
You know those deep cabinets where stuff just sinks into the abyss? Yeah, tiered pull-out baskets fix that.
I installed two sliding wire baskets — one above the other — and now I can see everything. No more “I swear I bought a new scrub brush last week” moments.
Why it rules:
- Maximises depth of your cabinet
- Slides out smoothly (bonus: looks fancy)
- Perfect for stacking: top = light stuff (sponges), bottom = heavy (cleaners)
Pro tip: Measure your cabinet before buying. I learned the hard way when my “perfect fit” stuck out 3 inches. Whoops.
🧴 2. Store Bottles Upside Down (Yes, Really)
Here’s a weird trick that actually works: store dish soap and hand soap bottles upside down.
No more shaking, no more “one last drop” frustration. Just flip it, screw it into a wall-mounted holder or shelf, and squeeze from the bottom.
Bonus: Less air gets in, so the soap doesn’t dry out. Genius? Or madness? You decide.
🪣 3. Add a Hanging Caddy on the Cabinet Door
Don’t waste that smooth inner door! A hanging mesh or wire caddy is a total space-saver.
I use mine for:
- Rubber gloves
- Scrub pads
- Reusable cleaning cloths
- That weird citrus peeler I use once a year
Key: Choose one with deep pockets so things don’t fall out when you yank the door open (we’ve all done it).
🧼 4. Ditch the Original Bottles (Labelled Dispensers FTW)
Those bulky dish soap bottles? Ugly and wasteful. I switched to refillable dispensers — sleek, modern, and SO much easier to use.
Fill a nice glass or stainless steel pump bottle with your favorite soap, label it, and boom — instant upgrade.
Personal fave: I use a matte black dispenser. Looks like a spa. Cleans like a beast.
📦 5. Use Clear Bins to Group Like Items
Ever lose a sponge because it’s buried under paper towels? Use clear plastic bins to group stuff by category.
I have three:
- Cleaning Crew (sprays, wipes, cloths)
- Sponge Zone (sponges, brushes, scrubbers)
- Glove & Tool Shed (gloves, steel wool, peelers)
Now I grab a bin instead of rummaging. It’s like adult LEGO — but for cleaning.
🧽 6. Hang Sponges to Dry (Not in the Sink!)
Let’s be real: sponges sitting in a puddle = bacteria city.
I installed a small magnetic or adhesive sponge holder on the side of my sink. Now my sponges dry fast, stay clean, and don’t stink up the whole kitchen.
Pro move: Get one with a drip tray. Because no one wants a puddle on the counter.
🔩 7. Install an Under-Sink Shelf Extender
If your cabinet is shallow, a pull-out shelf extender is a must.
It’s like a tiny drawer that glides out, giving you access to the back without crawling inside (which, let’s be honest, we’ve all done).
Best for: Deep bottles, large scrubbers, or anyone who hates reaching.
🏷️ 8. Label Everything (Yes, Even the Obvious)
Labeling isn’t just for pantries. A quick chalkboard tag or sticker on bins says, “Hey, I have my life together.”
I labelled mine with:
- “Glass Cleaner – Not for Drinking”
- “Sponges (The Clean Ones)”
- “Gloves (For Cleaning, Not Crime)”
Adds humour and clarity. Win-win.
🪣 9. Use a Sink Caddy for Daily Essentials
If you’re low on cabinet space, a countertop sink caddy keeps daily-use items within reach — without cluttering your sink.
I keep mine stocked with:
- Dish soap
- Sponge
- Scrub brush
- Reusable scrubber
Choose one with drainage so it doesn’t get gross. Nobody wants a swamp caddy.
🧴 10. Store Trash Bags in a Wall-Mounted Dispenser
Trash bags = always tangled, always annoying.
I mounted a wall dispenser inside the cabinet door. Now I pull one out cleanly, no knots, no drama.
Bonus: It holds 15+ bags and looks weirdly satisfying.
🪣 11. Keep a “Donation Bin” Under the Sink
Here’s a sneaky tip: keep a small bin under the sink for items you no longer use.
Every time I find something I don’t need (extra scrub pads, expired cleaners), I toss it in. Once the bin’s full? Straight to donation.
Result: Less clutter, zero guilt.
🧽 12. Use a Magnetic Strip for Metal Tools
Got a tiny scrubber with a metal handle? A magnetic strip (like the ones for knives) can hold it neatly on the cabinet wall.
I stuck one inside the door and now my steel wool, metal brushes, and tiny tools are all in one place — and easy to grab.
Hack: Spray-paint it to match your kitchen. Instant decor.
📦 13. Roll Towels & Cloths for Vertical Storage
Instead of stacking rags like a Jenga tower, roll them up and store them vertically in a bin.
Saves space, looks tidy, and makes it easy to grab one without pulling the whole pile down.
Extra points: Use matching cloths. Feels like a boutique kitchen. (Even if your oven hasn’t been clean since 2022.)
🧴 14. Group by Frequency of Use
Not all items are equal. Organise by how often you use them:
- Front & centre: Daily items (soap, sponge, gloves)
- Middle: Weekly (scrub brushes, wipes)
- Back or top: Rare (oven cleaner, specialty tools)
It’s the IKEA method — but for your sink. Works like a charm.
🧼 15. Do a Monthly “Sink Detox”
Last tip: set a monthly reminder to clean and reorganise under the sink.
Wipe shelves, toss expired stuff, re-sort bins. Takes 10 minutes, saves hours of frustration.
I do mine on the first Sunday — call it my “Sink Spa Day.” Sounds ridiculous. Works incredibly well.
🏁 Final Thoughts: Small Changes, Big Impact
Look, you don’t need a full renovation or $200 organisers to fix your sink cabinet. Most of these ideas cost under $20 — or nothing at all.
And the best part? Once it’s organised, you’ll actually enjoy doing dishes. (Okay, maybe not enjoy… but at least not dread it.)
So go ahead. Open that cabinet. Take a deep breath. And start stacking, labelling, and hanging your way to sink sanity.
You’ve got this. And hey — if you spill bleach on your sock again? We’ve all been there. 😅
