Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Let's Clean and Organize {Journey to} Under the Kitchen Sink!


“If you want to make room in your life for peace and patience, take small steps on organization, know the value of time. Snatch, seize and enjoy every minute of it!”

Some may think that there are certain areas of the home that are best left alone. Perhaps they are too dangerous to discover! I am one of the odd ones that think the path to homemaking serenity leads to uncovering them. These are the spots we must tame in order to maintain that precious feeling of order! Though it may be a bit dark and dreary, would you like to clean and organize this place with me? In hopes At the risk of sounding like a Jules Verne novel, let's journey to the center of the earth to underneath the kitchen sink!


"Our real journey had now commenced. Hitherto our courage and determination had overcome all difficulties. We were fatigued at times; and that was all. Now we were about to encounter unknown and fearful dangers... I had not as yet ventured to take a glimpse down the horrible abyss into which in a few minutes more I was about to plunge. The fatal moment had, however, at last arrived."

The first thing we must do is remove everything from the area and start with a clean slate. Now is the time to place some shelf paper down if your area is undesirable. You can also tile the area (like we did) in order to make it nice and wipeable. Even laying down any leftover tile you may have (without gluing it down) will work nicely. Either path you choose to take, wipe your area down with a damp rag and some all-purpose cleaner. If your area is really unsightly, you may also consider painting the sides of the walls to freshen it up.


The next step is to go through all your items and determine if anything needs to be relocated or disposed of. I found some chemical cleaning products from days gone by that I removed. What we store under each of our kitchen sinks is going to be different. Don't ask me how or why my flower vases ended up down here but they are. I suppose I had nowhere else to put them and keeping them sanitized wasn't an issue so this place worked for me. 


Now that our inventory is decided, begin by wiping down anything gross (with that damp rag) and place like-items together. Corralling the similar goods in dollar-store baskets keeps everything looking tidy and somewhat protects from small pools of water in the event of pipe leakage. Here we have put away our DIY un-paper towels which we use for quick clean ups in lieu of their disposable counterparts. 


We gathered all our common cleaning products used in the kitchen in another basket. There is our countertop cleaner, window cleaner, cleanser, dish soap, extra soap pump (that is too pretty to part with and we use occasionally), dish rags, sponges and an old toothbrush we use for cleaning any nooks and crannies (sorry you have to see it but I am trying to be "real" here :). We have more dish rags than this but they are drying on the line right now as we replace them daily and wash them weekly.


To the left of the under-the-sink space we store our white vinegar and dishwashing tabs (yes, I finally got a dishwasher!). We use vinegar often and include it here for quick access and in a small bottle for easy pouring. I don't place anything behind those items because we have a detachable metal hose there which I use to fill up our large stock pots, etc. 


And finally, we have just enough room to store our bulk store vinegar (which we use to refill our glass jar of vinegar). Not long ago, I also stored my wash tubs down here but due to some fancy sink-work from my husband, that is no longer necessary :)


"This was our final surprise after all the
astonishing events of our wonderful journey."


Now that everything is neat and tidy, it is time to close the curtain and bring this tale to an end. How often this needs to be organized depends on how quickly you let it go. We can get away with twice a year in our home because I don't keep much items down here in my effort to simplify. I know this wasn't the most exciting of posts, but if you now have the desire to tackle this project, then my homemaking mission to journey "under the kitchen sink" has been accomplished! The end.
All the fine print. This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making MondaysModest Mom Monday'sMonday's MusingsMake Your Home Sing MondayGood Morning Mondays,  The ScoopTitus 2 TuesdaysTuesdays with a TwistRaising HomemakersWise Woman Link UpHomestead Blog Hop Wow Us Wednesdays,  Coffee and ConversationHomemaking ThursdaysHome Sweet HomeOur Simple HomesteadAwesome Life Friday Link UpFive Star Frou Frou Friday, and Shabbilicious Friday. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. This post may contain affiliate links (which are merchant links that help to support this site at no additional cost to you if you purchase an item through them).

52 comments:

  1. You are so correct that it's a journey (to that sometimes dark, mysterious place) to clean and organize the space under the kitchen sink. I lined mine with leftover linoleum several years ago so that made it very easy to just wipe out occasionally. What often dirties mine is when things aimed for the small trash can that I keep under the sink don't make it all the way inside, but I do like having the trash can out of sight. I keep my everyday vases under the sink, too. And I love your hobnail milk glass vase with the pink ruffle on top!
    Have a great day!

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    1. Linoleum is a great idea too! And I agree, the trash can is nice out of sight! One day I hope to achieve that! :) And interesting about your everyday vases being under the sink too. Perhaps this is normal after all? Glad you like the hobnail, I think she was found at a yard sale where we have been friends ever since. I keep a collection of milk glass... Have a lovely week!

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  2. What a lovely "under the kitchen sink!" I like your curtain, and wonder if having one would encourage keeping an "out of site" place more tidy. Thanks for sharing! Also, I really like your un-paper towels! That fabric is so pretty...thanks for sharing!

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    1. Nice hearing from you! :) Yes, the curtain might just do that! For me, it was more affordable than new cabinets! :) Glad you like the un-paper towels. They were fun to make (and use) in the pretty fabric! I hope you are having a nice summer!

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  3. I organized mine about this time last year. It probably needs a quick refresh! Thank you for the reminder! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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    1. Those quick refreshes are always so satisfying! Thank you for stopping by and sharing here today!

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  4. Wow, that looks very impressive! I would have to seriously reduce the amount of stuff under my sink to make it look this nice :-) Thanks for the inspiration!

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    1. You may be surprised at how many items under "there" are not really being used and yet we store them anyways. This is what happened to me when I really paid attention. Hope all is going well with you in your pregnancy! :)

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    2. Yes, I am keeping very well, thank you JES :-)

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  5. I also keep a 4 gallon trash can under the kitchen sink, and I just---about 2 months ago---reorganized under there. It's amazing how great it feels to have that dark, hidden cupboard organized and cleaned.

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    1. Isn't it? I think the next area after that is over the fridge! :) Thank you for sharing here today Patti! :)

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  6. Under your sink looks positively wonderful! Don't you just love organizing? I always think it's fun and it's a delight to learn from others.

    Hugs to you!

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    1. I do love organizing and the sense of accomplishment it brings. I might even say it is one of my hobbies! Nice hearing from you and have a lovely week Stephanie!

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  7. I love it! I too keep my vases down there. It's so funny, the first thing I thought about making it pretty - which you accomplished quite nicely by the way, was that it's dark. Why aren't they like ovens and refrigerators and have a light that goes on and off with the opening and closing of the door (or curtain) etc.? Maybe I should invent that. Can't wait for the next journey.

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    1. Oh my! You SHOULD invent that! The whole time I was reorganizing I was thinking of track lighting! :) And now I am really intrigued about the vases thing? What made us women start putting them there? I really thought I was the only one all these years! Thanks for joining me on the "journey" :)

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  8. This is just beautiful. We worked on our sink area a few months back, and it made me feel so good. There is something, top, about adding something pretty like your beautiful curtains, vases and un-towels, to make the job that much more pleasant. Thanks for posting. Janis (at the new blog)

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    1. Yes Janis, there really is! I find that sprinkling pretty things in unsightly places makes the homemaking tasks a delight. I will have to make a "journey" to your new blog next :)

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    2. Janis, at Jes's remark about your blog, I took a trip over. I loved it and bookmarked it. I'm commenting here because I couldn't figure out how to comment there. Amy

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  9. Think under kitchen sink or bathroom sink are areas we all put off. Usually get sorted cleaned up when a leak happens or looking for an item.
    I have wanted to take cupboard doors off to be replaced with curtain for some time but am hesitant our kitty might get under there. Would need to clean out in case anything bad for him or our dog under there. Both furry kidz are our babies altho dog will be 8 early Nov .and kitty about 13, we're not sure of his age.
    Before could make curtain for under sink cupboard have to clean out sewing room to get to sewing machine. Have to work myself up to task. Storage or lack of is problem in our small single wide mfg. home. No garage or basement and shed is chuck full, groan.
    You have inspired me however. Have wonderful rest of week and weekend.

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    1. Ah, one of those domino effect projects I see. Well, I guess you have to start with sewing the curtain because once it is done, you will be excited to tackle the rest! :)

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  10. What an inspiration JES. It looks just beautiful under there. :0) I tend to clean under the sink once a month. With a small house it is easy to get to the task at hand. Now if I could only get into the garage 🙂

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    1. Once a month... I am impressed :) I have the garage on my list also and I can't wait to get to it! It is going to need a good couple of days... Thank you for stopping by Mari! :)

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  11. JES, I love the curtain and the way you have organized your area. Organization is an ongoing thing at my house.

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    1. It always seems to be a work in progress over here also. I hope your week is going well! :)

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  12. Oh dear. I do need to do this. I think I should paint under there when I do it.

    God bless you Mrs. Jes!
    Mrs. Laura Lane

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    1. The paint makes a difference! No matter what color you have laying around, it freshen things up. Happy homemaking Laura! :)

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  13. I found this post delightful. I HATE under the sink, so maybe this will inspire me. Thank you - I love your hobnail, as well...everything is so pretty under your sink...and bright~
    Thank you for all your lovely posts.

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    1. Thank you Julie for your kind comment! I hope this does inspire you as it feels quite good to get it accomplished. Have a lovely weekend! :)

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  14. Your journey came to an beautiful and neat end! I love the idea about new tiles on the floor of the cabinet. I need to do that!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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    1. Yes, it is very handy Shelia. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment! :)

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  15. The area under my sink is a total disaster area! It's so bad that any time I need something from under the sink, I reach in and grab it as quickly as possible and then slam the door closed. Great tips here.

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    1. Oh dear, that is pretty bad :) Thank you for sharing and the smile you gave me this morning. I hope you are able to give this clean up project a go! :)

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  16. That space looks lovely! We organized our under the counter area not long ago, but it's nowhere near as nice looking as yours!

    Christina
    www.ourwoodhome.com

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    1. As long as it is organized then your mission was accomplished :) Thank you for sharing here today!

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  17. Ah it was hard work but it sure was worth it! I think you have a great method there for cleaning away the clutter.

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  18. I too love your post on organizing under the sink. I definitely need that encouragement. One question for you...what do you use for drying any hand washed items? We have an unsightly dishdrainer that takes up a large portion of my undersink area that I would love to do away with.

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    1. Hi Kelly, That is something I haven't been able to conquer. We have so many large pieces that we hand wash (always knee deep in some kind of project) that we must keep our dish rack out. I have a basic metal style that isn't too rough on the eyes. It is in the upper right hand corner of the photo if you look closely. Sorry I couldn't be of more help! Though I would love to store ours under the sink, it just isn't practical at this point in our life :)

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  19. Oh JES...your post made me smile! I loved how you went about tackling the ''under the kitchen sink'' project and feel quite inspired to gather the girls and head thataway! {{Smiles}}. You never cease to inspire and I always leave your lovely corner in blogosphere refreshed! Even though I am but a homemaker in training, I enjoy taking initiative getting jobs done! I live here too and love a pretty, well kept home as much as my dear mom! Next project on our list...the scullery! You can imagine how it looks each day after 2-3 loads of laundry and endless piles of dishes! We are still chief dishwashers! Ha. Definitely needs a new look to inspire us to do our jobs happily and in good time!
    Have a wonderful Sunday, JES! Thank you for sharing with us!
    Love and hugs...
    Kelly-Anne

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    1. Thank you for taking the time to share Kelly-Anne. You are always a delight to visit with! :)

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  20. Dear Jes, It looks lovely. I just did my under the laundry sink cupboard. It wen from disgraceful to lovely! I found a little shelf to put in it which gave me a lot of help. I love it now and am so pleased! In my under the kitchen sink space I used two blocks of wood and a plank to create a shelf at about mid way. It helped a lot! And cost nothing! These little improvements make a big difference! With love Annabel.xxx

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    1. Yes they do! And a shelf is an excellent idea. Thank you for sharing! :)

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  21. I love how you've made it both pretty and practical, Jes.
    Amalia
    xo

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  22. I have been dodging underneath my sink as well as your article! Yours looks so neat and tidy I must get to it. Thanks for the encouragement!

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  23. That looks awesome! Thank you for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

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  24. It's tough to remember to clean those out of the way places when you're busy chasing little ones all day. I'll have to remember to get to mine soon! We did use some extra tiles to make it easy to wipe up messes under there. Thanks for the great suggestions.

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  25. Love the look. Awesome tranformation.

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  26. I will be going on a cleaning and organizing "rampage" soon. lol. As our house will soon become an empty nest with lots of rooms to organize and use wisely with just my husband and I occupying our home.

    I was inspired by the first quote you shared, "If you want to make room in your life for peace and patience, take small steps on organization, know the value of time. Snatch, seize and enjoy every minute of it!”
    ~ Emilie Barnes"

    I loved how the bottom of your sink came out!!

    I enjoyed this post very much! :-)

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  27. Love your post! Thank you for sharing it on Our Simple Homestead Blog Hop, as one of the co-hosts I will be featuring it this Thursday! Look forward to seeing what you share this week!
    - Nancy (Nancy On The Home Front)

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    1. Thank you! I very much appreciate that! :)

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  28. Hello Jes. I love this post and am currently looking at all areas of the home. I realised quite recently, that some of the things I use all the time, are stored in out of the way places, and those I use rarely, are close at hand. Time to change all that! I've featured this post at A Tray of Bliss today. Lots of love, Mimi xxx

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