I love spending time in my kitchen, but I struggle with keeping it tidy. Specifically, my utility (or “junk”) drawer has always been a constant source of stress. It was a graveyard for bottle openers, scissors, mallets, meat thermometers, bottle toppers, scoops, metal straws, and more. I used to have a tough time finding anything, and I often got stabbed with sharp instruments while rummaging through the mess. Undoubtedly, these tools are too small for standard drawer dividers, but too sharp to leave loose.
After being jabbed by the sharp end of a meat thermometer (again!), I knew I had to do something about this disaster zone. My solution? I decided to drop a surprising bathroom staple into the corner of the drawer, and now, my meat thermometer stands upright, and my bottle openers and metal straws are “docked” safely.
Why I Keep a Toothbrush Holder in My Kitchen
I had two ceramic four-slot toothbrush holders lying around that I had no use for in my bathroom (thanks, electric toothbrushes!). I placed them in my kitchen’s utility drawer and — voilà — the entire drawer was instantly transformed. While organizing all the small, sharp items, I was inspired to keep going. I ended up tidying the entire drawer, discarding old items and arranging the rest neatly.
Using a toothbrush holder is the ultimate hack to tame the “un-organizeables.” The holder’s individual slots neatly stash these items, making them easy to reach and preventing them from getting lost in the back. I’m also no longer scared of hurting myself every time I open the drawer. Additionally, by using vertical space, I’m making the most of the drawer’s capacity. You can even add a little museum putty to help it stay put.
Outside of the kitchen, you could also use toothbrush holders to store pens in the office, makeup brushes on your vanity, paint brushes in your craft supplies, tools in the garage, or even razors in your bathroom.
I had these old-school gray and white ceramic toothbrush holders lying around from years ago, but if you don’t have any on hand, you can use any budget-friendly toothbrush holder with individual slots. If you want a similar look, check out these ones from Bed Bath and Beyond or Etsy. This black stainless steel version offers a sleeker look, and you can also check your local discount store. You can thank me later!
What do you think about this organizing trick? Let us know in the comments below!
