Keep The Kitchen Sink Area Decluttered & Organized

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A cluttered kitchen sink area can make the whole room look messy and this likely impedes your productivity. Why not take a couple of minutes to do a proper decluttering to get the kitchen sink area decluttered & organized?

Instead of trying to wash vegetables, clean dishes, or prepare a meal amidst a chaotic jumble near your sink space take a little time decluttering and organizing your kitchen sink area.

Kitchen sink organization is not that challenging. The first step is to remove everything unrelated to your kitchen

Remove Items That Don’t Belong In The Kitchen Sink Area

Kitchens often become a gathering spot for items that don’t belong there. This unnecessary clutter becomes more pronounced around the sink, a hub of activity in any home.

You will notice a big difference once you simply remove all the non-kitchen items to their proper places, especially if you have a small kitchen.

Often, items like mail, car keys, and loose change end up in the wrong spot. Shift these to their rightful places, like a hallway table or a dedicated drop-off area in your home. Some people like to hang their keys in the same place whenever they enter their homes.

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The kitchen isn’t a catch-all station, and one of the easiest ways to prevent another build-up of clutter is to train yourself to put your things in their proper place when you first enter your home. This one act will make a big difference.

For better kitchen organization get in the habit of keeping your kitchen sink area and kitchen countertops clear. This is pretty easy if you commit to a little daily decluttering habit. The good news is with a small investment of time and consistency your efforts will pay you back big time!

Dishes and Utensils In The Kitchen Sink Area

Unwashed dishes and utensils are common culprits of kitchen chaos. Piling them up leads to icky odors and turns a small inconvenience into a big cluttered mess. Instead, if you have a dishwasher use it. The one-touch rule is perfect for clearing dirty dishes! Put the dirty tableware directly into your dishwasher or take a few minutes to wash them

Set a routine. Although I have a new dishwasher I almost always wash my dishes. I have a routine, I feed the dogs and wash the dishes of the day, by hand, because this gives me quiet time to reflect on whatever it is I choose to think about.

This also keeps your sink area clean. You will never have to face a pile of dirty dishes again! Imagine always having a clean kitchen sink!

Cleaning Supplies

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Too many cleaning products can overwhelm the area. Essentials such as dish soap, spray bottles, and sponges should be organized. Use a small caddy in the kitchen sink cabinet to store these items neatly. This keeps them accessible yet out of sight, ensuring your countertops remain clear.

A 'small' caddy for under-sink storage space also limits the amount of cleaners you store. These are nice because you can see at a glance the cleaner you need.

Miscellaneous Kitchen Items In The Kitchen Sink Area

Sponges, extra scrubbers, and stray utensils often accumulate around the sink. Designate a spot for each. Consider using a small basket held by suction cups inside the kitchen sink to store these small essentials. Keeping them tidy and within reach will streamline your kitchen chores.

There is a variety of kitchen sink organizers to choose from today. Some people find the use of suction cups to be a way to organize dish scrubbers and a hand towel either inside the kitchen sink or on the inside of the kitchen sink cabinet door.

Step-by-Step Guide to Declutter the Kitchen Sink Area

Let's break down this organization project into manageable steps that will transform your kitchen sink area into a clean and efficient kitchen set-up for you.

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Empty and Clean the Sink Area

Start with a clean slate. Remove everything from the immediate sink area, including dishes, sponges, and cleaning supplies. Give the sink and the surrounding surface a thorough wipe-down. A sparkling baseline motivates further decluttering efforts.

Sort and Categorize Items

Once everything's removed, it's time to discard as much stuff as you can first. Then we will sort, sort, sort. Have 3 labeled trash bags ready 'trash', 'sell', and 'donate'.

If you are wondering where to donate all the things during your decluttering journey check out the all inclusive free Resource Guide I put together.

If you have small appliances in good condition you no longer use list them on a local yard sale platform to sell.

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Be ruthless in your judgment; only essentials should stay. Excess items make the space feel cramped and untidy. If you have a small area keep in mind a lazy susan that can be tucked into underutilized cabinets can be a big space saver and hold quite a lot.

Use the inside of the cabinet doors too to hang little things that you use regularly. Cup hooks will work well. Get as much as you can into designated spaces.

Implement Storage Solutions

Now, it’s organization time. Use under-sink organizers for cleaning supplies, pull-out trays for easy access, or a stylish caddy in the sink or if you prefer by the sink,

These solutions keep essentials orderly and prevent them from spilling over into your workspace.

Enlist One-Touch-Rule

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Maintaining a Clutter-Free Kitchen Sink Area

A clean area today should remain tidy tomorrow. Here’s how you can maintain your sink’s newfound order.

Establish a Cleaning Routine

Routine is key to preventing future clutter. Incorporate quick clean-ups into your daily or weekly schedule. Wipe down your sink area regularly and return items to their designated spots immediately after use.

My rules and habits are hard-core. The last act of my day is to leave my kitchen and bathroom spotless. I would be bummed out if I had to face a mess in the morning. My routine is second nature to me, just like brushing my teeth before bed.

Replacing sloppy habits with better habits will serve you well!

Habit Stacking

Of all the great decluttering and organizing ideas I have to say habit stacking is right up there!

Here are some examples of habit stacking:

After I feed my dogs dinner I wash any dirty dishes in the sink. Every time.

When I cook I do a quick look in the refrigerator and discard any old leftovers and expired items.

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When I use the last of something it is my habit to put this in on the running list to repurchase before I discard the empty container, then immediately discard the container. I get distracted easily and this way I don't forget.

That is habit stacking.

Kitchen Countertops

I wrote an entire article on kitchen countertops. I like my countertops empty for a couple of reasons. The first thing is I have a very small kitchen. Another reason is after 25 years of living here I treated myself to a small kitchen renovation.

I bought a ridiculously priced slate countertop that I love! I want to see it, not a bunch of stuff I rarely use. All you will see on my countertop today is a coffee pot and a clear dish soap dispenser filled with clear soap tucked behind the kitchen faucet.

I could not bear the installers drilling a hole in this beautiful counter. I know, crazy!

Another reason I keep my countertops clean is I have no reason not to. My kitchen cabinets have plenty of room to put kitchen things in and I prefer stuff to be out of sight.

Limit 'Just in Case' Items

Many of us are guilty of keeping items "just in case." But in a kitchen, less is more. Identify which items haven't been used recently and assess their necessity. I had a kitchen baster in my utensil utensil drawer. This must have been my mom's because I don't remember ever using a baster.

Photo byMarj Bates

Clearing these out 'just in case' items will open up a lot of space. If I ever have a burning desire to baste anything I will use a large spoon.

A decluttered kitchen sink area is not just cleaner—it is one more step to take to live a clutter-free life. By shifting non-essential items and organizing what remains, you create a functional, beautiful space that is not a crowded, messy frustrating place to prepare food.

In my world it is non-negotiable my kitchen is not always organized and clean. Why? Because I want my food to be prepared in the cleanest possible environment for my physical health, and I want to continue to enjoy good mental health.

Living clutter-free is good for our mental and physical well-being. Regard your kitchen as the heart of your home and food prep as the basis of good physical health. Respect yourself because you deserve to be respected and this is great for your mental health!

Marj Bates is a life long ridiculously organized declutter-er and artist. Less is more are words Marj lives by in everything she does except collecting dogs. “Dogs are like potato chips! Can’t have just one.” says Marj. Marj wonders if growing up with a fanatically clean Jewish mom means her decluttering and organizational skills are in her blood.

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