Organizing Kitchen Utensils

Bathtub Organizer for Kitchen Sink

I always hate things out of place, especially things that can grow germs. What could I do? Everyone has sponges, wash clothes, soap, etc. next to the kitchen sink or worse below it where it's dark and damp. One day I had had it. After everything else was looking clean and sparkling, was my sponges, my cleaner, the drain stoppers, and it didn't look clean to me at all.

I knew there had to be a solution. One day I was in the bathroom, I looked at a friend and said, "I know a bathtub holder would have room for all of that stuff". She knows me very well. I explained which kind I meant.

Not even 2 days later, she came bearing a gift; my new kitchen organizer. I hadn't ever seen this anywhere before but usually when I put my mind to something, I figure it out. They are used in the bath area for shampoo or soap. In my sink, it is for one sponge (that I wash dishes with), one that has scrubbers, dish soap, and the drain stoppers. My sink look as sparkling clean as the rest of my house.

This container has holes so it doesn't trap moisture, allowing the air to get to the sponges. The dish soap is right there not being knocked off in the rinse water, and I can get the stopper only when needed - perfect! I like the clear one because it looks clean. There are several colors if you would want to match your decor. They are plastic so are easily wiped out with my cleaner (vinegar, lemon). I use organic cleaners and it's great to have them next to the sponges.

I also want to remind you that sponges are great. I don't know how I would get the dishes clean without them, however they hold so many germs. Make sure you put your sponges in microwave for 2 minutes, to kill all the bacteria. I do it right before bed so next morning they are all germ free.

I hope this helps you out with the things that "live" around your sink area. I have hand soap, germ killer and my own hand made cleaner on top of the sink. Everything else is neatly placed in its own little basket. I think it looks exactly how it should have for all these years, when I couldn't think of what to do with them.

I also use microfiber cloths to dry my dishes with. These are changed daily. Microfiber dries very quickly so during the daytime, the cloths dry out.

By Luana M. from San Diego, CA

Recycled Kitchen Utensil Holder

I used Juicy Juice cans to hold my kitchen utensils. I put them in a wire basket that I found for 50 cents, added the magnets and bingo, a multipurpose rack. You can decorate the cans any way you want, screw them into the wall or leave it on the counter. I always find ways to create more space.

By moonseekerjade from Onset, MA

Cardboard Tubes for Tongs

My wife has several sets of kitchen tongs she uses occasionally while preparing meals. They are usually tangled with each other and once in a while I will see one of the pairs sailing across the kitchen. My solution was to grab a couple empty TP cardboard tubes and slide the tongs inside. Because the tubes are cardboard and the tongs metal, I covered the tubes with clear shipping tape to make them last longer. Since then I have used the empty tubes for extension cords up to 9', spare cables, and computer cords. The list is endless.

By John from Midland, MI

Paper Tube for Tong Storage

Ever get those salad tongs stuck and you find you can't open your utensil drawer? Here's a cheap fix. Save paper towel rolls or toilet paper rolls. Simply slide the tongs in the cardboard sleeve, and they will stay together and untangled from other utensils. Adds space to your drawer too!

By Pattie from Florida

A Wall of Cooking Utensils

While visiting with an ex-neighbor in her new home, she had to give me a tour of the place. The one room that was the most intriguing to me was her kitchen. Instead of having her manual cooking utensils in a drawer or in a cute container on the kitchen counter, she'd devoted a bare wall to her collection.

With little white paneling nails, just every so often, while at the same time, being apart only 5-6 inches at the most. She'd hung each of the utensils on the nails, some of the utensils at an angle in one direction or another. It sure made it to be a conversation piece, that's for sure, as some of her utensils were apparently quite old. She said she'd gotten some of them when she'd set up housekeeping many years ago, while some had been purchased well since and others had been given to her as gifts.

She said it sure made it easy when cooking as she never had to go rummaging thru drawers for that specific tool, they're always right at her fingertips!

By Terri

Hanging Kitchen Utensils

I have 2 large cooling racks hung on the wall between my stove and sink. I use 'S' hooks to hang the utensils on the racks. I had purchased a rod with 'S' hooks that was sold to hang utensils under cabinets but it didn't fit my space well. Both ideas work really well. Everything is out and organized so you can see it and easy to grab when you're cooking. Any towel rod or a wooden dowel hung from cup hooks would work.

By Sue from St. Louis, MO

Organizing Kitchen Utensils In a Drawer

When storing kitchen utensils (spoons, spatulas, etc.) in a drawer, having the handle facing towards the back of the drawer. That way you can easily see what utensils you have since many have similar looking handles.

Rubber Bands to Organize Kitchen Drawer

Just a simple rubber band and no more tangled tongs in the drawers. Wrap it around the top to keep them straight in the drawer.

By lk4554 from Alger, Ohio

Containers on Butcher Block Table Shelf

I have my utensils on a small butcher block table that has a shelf underneath it. The utensils are stored in flower pots, a large terra-cotta roaster that had a crack in it, a crock, and a tin pail.

I have each container stocked with different types of the utensils; the large terra cotta roaster holds the large spatulas, tongs, large cooking spoons, etc. Another container holds whisks of all sizes. There is a container for the teflon utensils, metal utensils and wooden. It is handy because all the utensils are at my "fingertips" near the stove and the kitchen work area.

By JOSE from Collierville, TN

Flower Vase for Kitchen Utensils

I use a large flower vase (4.5 inches x 9 inches) to store my larger kitchen utensils. It sits on my counter top right beside my stove.

By Cheryl from Nova Scotia, Canada

Storing Tongs

I bought a small magnetic curtain rod and stuck it to the side of the refrigerator. The tongs are hung on the rod. It's on the side of the fridge where no one is going to be poked in the eye.

By Holly from Dallas, TX