How do I organise the cupboard under the sink?

Under-sink cupboards are awkward because the waste pipe takes the middle of the space and the floor may be damp. Working around the pipe with tiered or bin storage is what converts it from a dumping ground into usable space.

What you'll need

• Tiered organiser or stacking bins (optional)
• Waterproof liner (optional)
• Cupboard lock (optional)

Step by step

1. Empty it completely.It is the only way to see what is there. Under-sink cupboards accumulate duplicates and empty bottles more than any other space.
2. Check for leaks while it is empty.Look and feel around the trap, the waste connection and the tap tails. A slow leak here is common and does damage invisibly.
3. Line the base with a waterproof mat or tray.It contains drips and spills, and it makes a future leak obvious rather than letting it soak into the carcass.
4. Dispose of duplicates and anything empty.Most households have three of one product and none of another. Take old chemicals to a household waste site rather than pouring them away.
5. Use a tiered organiser or stacking bins.They work around the pipe, which is what wastes the space. A single flat shelf rarely fits; tiered units are designed for this.
6. Group by task, in carry-baskets.Bathroom cleaning in one, kitchen in another. You take the basket to the job rather than making several trips.
7. Keep hazardous products out of reach or locked.Bleach, drain cleaner and dishwasher tablets are among the most common causes of household poisoning in children. A cupboard lock is inexpensive.
8. Store bin bags and cloths on a door-mounted rack.The inside of the door is usually unused and takes hooks or a slim rack easily.

Tips

• Never store food or anything you eat from in the same cupboard as cleaning chemicals.
• Keep the products you use weekly at the front and the rest behind. Most people use four or five products regularly and own twenty.
• A small torch in the cupboard makes checking for leaks and finding things far easier, since these cupboards are always dark.

Common mistakes

• Storing hazardous chemicals at floor level with children in the house — It is exactly where a small child can reach, and cleaning products are a leading cause of accidental poisoning.
• Not checking for leaks when it is empty — This is the one time you can see the pipework clearly, and slow leaks here cause serious damage before they are noticed.
• Using flat shelving — The waste pipe takes the middle of the cupboard. Tiered and stacking storage is designed around it and uses the height.

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