Cleaning Products and Chemical Hazards
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is treating their under-sink cabinet like a convenience store for household cleaners. Household cleaning products are the second most common cause of unintentional poisoning in children < 6 years old in the United States. Think about it - every time you reach for that bottle of bleach or all-purpose cleaner stored right at child's eye level, you're essentially putting dangerous chemicals within arm's reach of curious little hands.
According to available data, tens of thousands of child poisoning incidents occur annually, with the youngest children being particularly vulnerable. What makes this even more alarming is that all-purpose cleaning agents are a large cause of poisonings because they are easy to get into under the kitchen sink. Youngsters often confuse cleaners and food items because packaging is similar.
Paper Products and Moisture Damage
Storing paper towels under the sink seems logical until you realize you’re setting yourself up for frustration and wasted money. Prone to leaks, dampness and mold, as well as easily accessible to little hands, there are many reasons you should think before you store something under the sink. That expensive pack of paper towels becomes a soggy, moldy mess faster than you’d think.
Because this spot houses the plumbing pipes for your sink, it’s prone to getting damp. That’s why paper towels would fare better in a separate cabinet where they aren’t at risk of becoming moist, and therefore less effective. The same goes for any paper products including instruction manuals, cardboard packaging, or paper bags. Your wallet will thank you for keeping these items in a dry location instead.
Small Appliances and Electronics
That rarely used blender or handheld vacuum might seem perfect for under-sink storage, but that old blender or handheld vacuum doesn’t belong under the sink, no matter how convenient it seems. Any unforeseen water leak could cause irreparable damage to the appliance’s motor and electronic components. Worse, if an appliance is plugged in nearby and gets wet, it can create a serious risk of electrical shock or a fire. Proper kitchen sink safety dictates that all electronics should be stored in a consistently dry location to prevent water damage and electrical hazards.
Even small electronics like hand mixers or coffee grinders shouldn’t live under the sink. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination that can literally be shocking. The area at the back of your kitchen’s corner cabinet is a good choice because it’s tricky to access, making it perfect for storing items you only need once in a blue moon.
Food Items and Pet Food
You’d be surprised how many people think storing pet food or even human snacks under the sink makes sense for space-saving. While you might have set aside a dedicated space for pet food under the kitchen sink, it’s not a good idea to keep it here. Your pet food will potentially be exposed to any chemicals being stored alongside, which is a health hazard. Plus, this space is naturally humid, and storing any kind of food down here, whether human or pet, can cause it to grow moldy.
The potential for mold and bacteria to accumulate under the sink is obviously bad news for any food you’re planning to eat. There’s also the possibility of pest infestation. Nobody wants to discover their dog’s food has turned into a science experiment or attracted unwanted critters.
Light Bulbs and Fragile Items
Those spare light bulbs tucked away under the sink are just waiting to become expensive confetti. The area under your sink tends to be a high traffic area, especially if you keep a trash can or recycling bin there. Items kept there have the potential to be jostled around. Because they’re made from delicate glass, light bulbs are incredibly fragile, and should be stored somewhere where there’s less risk of them being knocked over, crushed, or smashed.
Every time you grab something from that crowded cabinet, you’re playing a dangerous game of Jenga with your light bulbs. It’s tempting to stow spare light bulbs under the sink, but the heavily trafficked cabinet makes the delicate glass easier to smash. A better spot would be a linen closet or pantry shelf where they won’t get knocked around.
Flammable Substances and Aerosols
All kinds of household products can end up under the kitchen sink, but be sure to avoid storing anything flammable. Flammable goods, such as aerosols, solvents and rubbing alcohol can pose a serious fire hazard if exposed to certain conditions. For instance, you’ll want to keep an electric garbage disposal unit away from such items. The heat generated by nearby appliances like dishwashers or garbage disposals creates the perfect storm for disaster.
Many common household products, including some polishes, cooking oils, and aerosol cans, are surprisingly flammable. The cabinet under the sink is often near heat-producing appliances like the dishwasher, which can increase the temperature in the enclosed space. An unseen leak or spark from old wiring or a nearby garbage disposal motor could easily ignite these flammable substances. This creates a significant fire hazard right in the heart of your home. Keeping these items far away from potential heat sources is a critical safety measure.
Sponges and Cleaning Tools
It sounds counterintuitive, but keeping sponges and dish rags under the sink is actually a recipe for creating their own little ecosystem of germs and mold. While keeping sponges and dish rags below the sink may seem sensible for easy access, it’s better to find another storage spot in your kitchen. Sponges, fabric wipes, and other cloth materials can soak up the moisture in the air and quickly develop mold and mildew. Keep all sponges in a dry place, like a kitchen drawer, until you’re ready to use them.
The irony is that the tools you use to clean your house become the dirtiest things in your kitchen when stored in that damp, dark environment. Fresh sponges deserve a fresh start, not a moldy welcome party under your sink.
Dishwasher Detergent and Pods
Just because your dishwasher sits next to the sink doesn’t mean the detergent should live there too. With your dishwasher being next door, it’s all too easy to store your dishwasher detergent under the kitchen sink. Don’t do this though. Not only will it be vulnerable to any leaks, it poses a hazard to any young children exploring this space. And with pods often appearing colorful, they can be very attractive to young eyes. Store dishwasher detergent in a safe space out of reach of children.
Those colorful pods look exactly like candy to a curious toddler, and the consequences can be devastating. Even some cleaning products, including dishwasher pods and colorful spray bottles, can be dangerous and entice curiosities for paws or tiny fingers. Store liquid and powder cleaners on higher shelves to help avoid accidents with pets or young children. A high pantry shelf or locked cabinet is worth the extra steps for safety.
Plastic Storage Containers and Bags
Those convenient plastic containers and bags you’ve been shoving under the sink face multiple threats in that location. First, there’s the moisture issue that can warp containers and make bags stick together in one useless clump. But there’s an even more serious concern: The under-sink area is also a poor choice for storing extra trash bags or plastic bags from stores. Biodegradable or compostable bags also have no place in the kitchen under the sink. While you don’t want them to get wet or grow mold, there’s another reason not to store bags here: child and pet safety. A young child or your dog could face a suffocation risk by playing with a bag. Ideally, you should store bags in a utility closet or a cabinet located above the sink, out of the reach of children.
Even those innocent-looking grocery bags can become dangerous toys in the wrong hands. It’s one of those risks we don’t think about until it’s too late, but moving these items up high eliminates the worry completely.