9 Things Professional Organizers Say You Should Never Store Under Your Kitchen Sink

Depending on the cleaning chemicals, it can be dangerous to have them in a kitchen cabinet, especially if you have young children or pets, says Olivia Parks, professional organizer and owner of The Organizer Directory. "Under-the-sink cabinets are often easy for them to access, so it’s much safer to keep those products in a locked cabinet or somewhere up high if you can."

If you don't have an attic or a garage, then you might keep flammable products like paint thinner and aerosol sprays under your kitchen sink. This can be an extreme safety hazard, especially if you have a garbage disposal, which is a major heat source. "It’s best to store these somewhere else and follow the manufacturer’s storage recommendations," says Parks.

Roberts says that dish towels should be kept in a drawer and away from the cleaning products often kept under the sink. Hang them over the oven handle or keep them handy next to the sink itself for easy access; store extras in a linen closet.

"Paper products like paper towels, napkins, or paper plates can easily get damp and become unusable if there’s any moisture under the sink," says Parks. Keep these in the cupboard instead or even on the kitchen counter for easy access.

The space underneath your kitchen sink might become the default storage space for those Allen wrenches and screwdrivers. Although that might sound like the perfect out-of-the-way spot, it can be easy to lose track of them. "Items underneath the sink tend to overflow and tools can quickly get buried," says Brock. "You want tools to be in a place that is accessible." Opt for a kitchen pantry instead or even a driveway storage shelf or space in the attic if you have one.

According to Roberts, you don't want anything that stores food to be in close proximity to cleaning products—and that includes food storage bags. "These belong in a drawer or a shelf in your pantry," she says.

“It's easy to just grab a new bottle when the old one isn't spraying as easily, but don't just leave the old ones under the sink," says Roberts. "Consolidate the last remaining cleaner into the new bottle and recycle the old one." This will leave you with more space under your sink and a better understanding of how much product you actually have left to use.