Items that can be stored under a sink Plastic containers - Save space by nesting containers from largest to smallest and separating lids. Dustpan - Stash a small dustpan and brush to quickly sweep up crumbs or dirt. Recycling - Use the under-the-sink area to sort and store cardboard, paper, glass and recycled plastic.
CDC guidelines do not support the storage of medical or surgical supplies under a sink. Other examples include reagent and chemicals that could have an adverse reaction if exposed to water/sewer/moisture, cleaned patient care equipment, etc.
Avoid storing cookware, like pots and pans, under your sink. "If there is any leaking or dripping due to condensation or moisture introduced from washing dishes, it can potentially contaminate cookware," says Cooper. Instead, keep these items in your kitchen cabinets or in a nearby closet.
If space is limited, keep only the necessities and use the linen closet or add shelving elsewhere for everything else. If there's more room for under-bathroom-sink storage, things such as hair tools and backup toiletries can stay.
Just because you keep your pet food in a container, or use those cute dispensers for your cereal, under the sink is still both a warm and moist environment, which encourages fast staling, mold, mildew and bacterial growth.
Items that can be stored under a sink
Plastic containers - Save space by nesting containers from largest to smallest and separating lids. Dustpan - Stash a small dustpan and brush to quickly sweep up crumbs or dirt. Recycling - Use the under-the-sink area to sort and store cardboard, paper, glass and recycled plastic.
Whichever chemicals they contain, plastics break down over time and can potentially release trace amounts into food. “This is more likely to happen when the plastic has been heated or when it's old and has been repeatedly used and washed,” she says.
If you're considering food storage options, never use the space under the kitchen sink to house food and perishables kept under the sink can be contaminated by potentially harmful chemicals, germs and moisture due to temperature fluctuations.
“It's ideal to have a fire extinguisher on each level of the home,” says Courtney Klosterman, home insights expert at Hippo Insurance. “Fire extinguishers are stored best in easy-to-reach places and away from heat sources, such as under the kitchen sink or in entryways.”
Typically, essential cleaning supplies, garbage bags, and dish towels are stored here, and it can become cramped and disorganized quickly,” she explains. She advises moving your extra hand soaps, bulk trash bags, and cleaner refills to a location with more storage space.
Undersink Bins
Our bins for under-sink installation have a couple of features that make them the ideal candidates for these tricker spots. This includes: A low height – typically under 450mm. or A short depth – as little as 325mm deep. Some products feature both aspects.
Using plastic and waterproof materials
Products made of plastic are a simple and cost-effective solution for under-sink spaces. Putting all the wet items together will reduce water dripping into the corners of your cabinetry and prevent swelling of the board.
All chemicals must be stored in a safe, secure location. Hazardous chemicals must be stored below eye level. Do not store chemicals on the floor, window ledges, or balconies. Keep containers closed unless you are dispensing a chemical or adding to the container.
Any kitchen items, such as pots and pans
'I never recommend clients keep anything under the kitchen sink outside of cleaning supplies and related dry items, like garbage bags, rags, the inevitable bag of plastic grocery bags,' comments professional organizer Amy Trager.
TOXIC CHEMICALS/SOLVENTS/HEAVY METALS
Acrylamide, cyanides, dyes, formamide, mercaptans, mercaptoethanol, phenol, carcinogens, mutagens, teratogens, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, etc.
The kitchen and garage are good sites for an extinguisher. However, do not place an extinguisher over the stove or buried in storage in the garage, but rather hang it on the wall no less than 4 inches or greater than 5 feet from the ground.
A fire extinguisher should always be placed in a path of escape not in the line of fire. If a fire blocks your path to a fire extinguisher, consider repositioning it to another spot.
Under-sink storage is ideal for stashing cleaning supplies right where you'll need them. Stock a basket or tray with spray cleaners, paper towels or microfiber cloths, disinfectant wipes, brushes, sponges, and other essentials to keep your sink and countertop sparkling.
Store all food at least 6 inches off the floor to avoid contamination and allow for cleaning. Store all food at least 18 inches away from the outer walls. This will help with monitoring, cleaning, condensation, and wall temperatures affecting foods.
Dig a hole deep enough for a 4” inch rock drainage layer plus the size of the container. Bury the container, leaving only 2” inches above ground. Fill the container with layers of food, separated by straw. Top the container with a lid and then cover it with 1-2' feet of straw.
When you do use plastics, look for these resin codes which are considered safer: #2 HDPE, #4 LDPE, and #5 PP. Examples of #2 HDPE (high density polyethylene) include: bottled milk, water and juice, yogurt cups, and some plastic bags.
Even the low levels of BPA that leach from consumer plastics, canned food linings or other consumer goods … have been shown to be associated with harm, and people certainly should care about it. “If it's not safe the day you buy it, it's not safe 10 years later,” Vandenberg said.
According to National Geographic's The Green Guide, plastics #2, #4 and #5 are the safest for repeatedly storing your food. If you reuse items made from plastics #1, #3, #6 and #7 (some Tupperware products are made from #7), you run the risk of having toxic chemicals leach into the contents.