The cabinet under the sink is one of the easiest places in the home to lose control of. Cleaning sprays, dishwasher tablets, sponges and backup products often pile up around plumbing. A simple step-by-step reset can turn it into useful storage.
Step 1: Take everything out
Start with an empty cabinet. This lets you see the real usable space and makes sorting much easier.
Step 2: Check for leaks or moisture
Look for dampness, water stains, mold, warped surfaces or leaking pipes. Address leaks before reorganizing.
Step 3: Remove empty or unnecessary products
Discard empty bottles, broken tools and products you no longer use. Follow local disposal instructions for household chemicals.
Step 4: Group similar items
Separate dishwashing supplies, cleaning sprays, cloths, gloves, brushes and garbage bags into clear categories.
Step 5: Decide what belongs under the sink
Move items that would be better stored in a pantry, utility closet, laundry room or bathroom cabinet.
Step 6: Measure the cabinet
Measure width, depth and height and note plumbing or disposal placement. See our under-sink measuring guide for a detailed checklist.
Step 7: Use vertical space
If everything sits on the cabinet floor, valuable height is wasted. A 2-tier under sink organizer can turn unused vertical room into a second storage level.
Step 8: Use sliding storage in deep cabinets
Sliding drawers bring items at the back toward you, making the cabinet easier to use every day.
Step 9: Keep frequently used items in front
Place dish soap, dishwasher tablets and everyday cleaner within easy reach. Store backups farther back.
Step 10: Contain small items
Small bins are helpful for sponges, gloves, cloths and brushes so they do not spread across the cabinet.
Step 11: Avoid overfilling
Leave enough space to return products easily. If the cabinet is packed tightly, clutter will return quickly.
Step 12: Create a two-level system
Use the top tier for smaller accessories and the bottom tier for larger bottles or refill containers.
Step 13: Keep backups behind everyday products
Your current bottle should be easiest to reach. Refills can sit behind it until needed.
Step 14: Add labels only if they help
Simple labels can be useful in a shared household, but avoid turning the system into something complicated.
Step 15: Reset the cabinet regularly
A quick check every few weeks can catch empty bottles, misplaced products or early signs of leaks.
Why under-sink cabinets become cluttered
The layout is awkward, products come in different shapes and sizes, and the cabinet often becomes a general dumping ground. Clear categories and vertical storage address all three problems.
For additional layouts, read How to Organize Under the Sink: 11 Practical Storage Ideas.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to declutter under the sink?
Remove everything, discard what you do not need, group the rest by category and only return items that belong there.
What should I store under the kitchen sink?
Common choices include dish soap, dishwasher supplies, cleaning sprays, sponges, brushes and garbage bags.
How do I organize around pipes?
Measure the available zones and choose storage that fits around plumbing instead of trying to cover the entire cabinet width.
Is a 2-tier organizer useful?
It can be useful when there is unused height because it creates two storage levels in a compact footprint.
How do I organize a deep cabinet?
Pull-out or sliding storage can make back-row products easier to reach.
Clear the clutter and keep it that way
Decluttering works best when the final setup is simple enough to maintain. If your cabinet has unused vertical room, consider the KOOVEXO 2-Tier Pull-Out Under Sink Organizer to create two accessible levels without remodeling the cabinet.