To keep plates and cookware under the sink?

[SomebodysMum]

I have a tiny kitchen.

For years I’ve kept all the cleaning products, bin bags, other standard random crap in the lovely central cupboard under the sink. Because that’s what my parents did and what I’ve always done without thinking about it.

My plates, bowls, cookware, other much more regularly used things are in an awkward corner cupboard and I have a bad back/neck so it causes physical pain every time I reach in there.

What the fuck have I been thinking?!

AIBU to swap things round? The pipes take up hardly any of the cupboard, I know they’re bound to have a leak eventually and things will get a bit wet and it will be inconvenient to wash them, but I really feel like my life will be made so much easier until and after that on a daily basis.

So am I missing something obvious now as to why I shouldn’t do it? Or have I instead been missing something obvious for years by not thinking about it sooner?

I think I want to know the answer… 😬

YANBU, do it. But as you have a bad back, could you install a shelf for the most often used plates/bowls etc so you don't have to keep bending?

It’s very unhygienic. You could miss a small drip which evaporates but the germs (and bleach or whatever was in the contaminated water) will remain on the dishes. Also that particular cupboard has high humidity and the temperature fluctuates when you put hot water in the sink, which is ideal conditions for germs to grow.

Well there are no cupboard inspectors so as far as I know you can put whatever you like, wherever you like.

@Alayalaya

It’s very unhygienic. You could miss a small drip which evaporates but the germs (and bleach or whatever was in the contaminated water) will remain on the dishes. Also that particular cupboard has high humidity and the temperature fluctuates when you put hot water in the sink, which is ideal conditions for germs to grow.

Hmm that’s a good point

I wouldn't, sorry.

Cupboards under the sink always seem really damp and dingy to me. I wouldn't want my dishes sat next to pipes and where dirty dish water goes.

YABU Organise your kitchen how you want. You don’t need my permission.

Do you have drawers? Put your cutlery in a pot on the worktop and put the crockery in the drawers.

In your situation I would absolutely swap things around but I'm not sure I could quite bring myself to put plates in that cupboard. Is there anything else you could move such as tins or more sealed items?

No one comes checking your cupboards, you do not need to seek permission, store them any place you wish, even in the centre of your living room it’s all good, 😃

@Alayalaya

It’s very unhygienic. You could miss a small drip which evaporates but the germs (and bleach or whatever was in the contaminated water) will remain on the dishes. Also that particular cupboard has high humidity and the temperature fluctuates when you put hot water in the sink, which is ideal conditions for germs to grow.

Thank you for validating my years of not doing this 😀😀

I am still a bit tempted though, definitely considering your comments carefully but I might take the door off to mitigate the humidity issue somewhat and put the stuff against the sides so it’s as far as possible away from and potential drips. Maybe just cookware upside or something 🤔

Again thanks for your thoughts.

@Gardeningdream

No one comes checking your cupboards, you do not need to seek permission, store them any place you wish, even in the centre of your living room it’s all good, 😃

I have a 3 year old so have to disagree about the middle of the living room 😂

@MaggieFS

In your situation I would absolutely swap things around but I'm not sure I could quite bring myself to put plates in that cupboard. Is there anything else you could move such as tins or more sealed items?

Yes I will do more thinking. I’d worry about tins getting rusty but maybe things in glass or plastic bottles. Hmmm.

@RogerDodger

Well there are no cupboard inspectors so as far as I know you can put whatever you like, wherever you like.

Actually there is such a thing as a kitchen cupboard inspector, my mother in law is one. She has to check how clean they all are every time she’s here 😂

😂

This is where you employ the “nod and smile and then completely ignore” methodology.

The reason the cupboard under the sink can get manky is because generally lots of bottles are stored there and they can leak/drip. You shouldn't really have a leaking sink very often!

Go for it OP, sounds like it would make your life easier. And if you're concerned just give them a rinse before using.

This reminds me of when I sold my flat, years ago. The guy buying it turned up with his parents to show them around. His mum opened all my kitchen cupboards and made a note of what I put where . I did tell her he was welcome to mix it up a bit when I'd moved out!