Every year, as I start thinking ahead to hosting season, I consider which baking dishes will make cooking easier and how I’ll store and transport food once it’s prepared. Somehow, I always forget about the cleanup.
In a house without a dishwasher, though, my kitchen sink quickly becomes a hotbed of clutter and mess during the holidays. Dishes pile up, dirty water spills onto the counters, and my cleaning tools seem to disappear just when I need them most.
This year, I’ve decided to build better habits before the pressure of hosting season sets in, getting into the routine of cleaning as I go so I’m better prepared to tackle the inevitable mess. A big part of that has been organizing my kitchen sink with a smart caddy from Williams Sonoma, keeping my cleaning essentials neatly contained, easy to find, and in good condition when I’m rushing to wash a pot while something else is bubbling away on the stove.
The clean, streamlined design makes this sink caddy a great choice for any kitchen. It includes a removable brush holder with an integrated slot that securely holds your sponge between uses and promotes drying (the best way to inhibit mildew and bacteria).
Leaving things piled up and cleaning a kitchen after dinner is one of the worst ways to manage a kitchen during the hosting season. Unless you have a very large, very powerful dishwasher, leaving dishes to fester is a one-way ticket to counter clutter and hours spent scrubbing.
Task stacking and cleaning as you cook is a far more approachable alternative, keeping dishes and tools ready should you need them again, and preventing clutter creep and odors.
However, it is one thing to promise yourself you will be better at staying on top of the mess this hosting season; it is another to succeed at it. The trick is to start implementing the habit early, growing accustomed to cleaning dishes as your mid-week dinners cook, so that when hosting season arrives, and the stress with it, the habit feels second nature.
A sink caddy might seem like a boring kitchen storage investment; however, this small addition can make this habit far easier to build. The Williams Sonoma setup has space for both dish and hand soap, as well as a removable section for storing dish brushes and sponges where they can air dry, preventing bacterial growth and banishing bad kitchen smells. By getting used to everything having a home, it will be easier to store and find again when you are drowning in washing up.
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It’s a small change, but I’m hoping that getting my sink and cleaning routine under control now will make those busy hosting days feel considerably more manageable.
From clever sink organizers to countertop heroes, these are the hardworking kitchen organizers I rely on to keep clutter under control and stay cool throughout the hosting season.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
Joseph Joseph Expandable Dish Drying Rack
This dish rack features a draining spout that can be positioned in three different orientations, catering to your sink’s layout. This ensures water flows directly into the sink, keeping your counters dry and clean.
Joseph Joseph Surface Stainless Steel Caddy
This sink caddy has an open front compartment designed for storing sponges, promoting quick drying to prevent odors and bacteria.
With its six compartments and transparent PVC windows, you can easily view and access your items at a glance. Perfect for your coffee station, meal prep area, or craft table, this organizer combines both functionality and practicality for the busy hosting season.
This oversized wooden trivet is ideal for organizing your counters when serving, giving you plenty of space to set down hot dishes when serving a crowd.
Swedish Dishcloths for Kitchen Dish Towels
Sponge cloths are plant-based, meaning they are free from plastics and decompose in compost heaps in around 10 months, making them an eco-friendly, hygienic alternative to traditional sponges and paper towels.
Approved by the Environmental Working Group as non-toxic, this gentle dish soap is perfect for caring for delicate pans without the risk of toxic residue.
Left things a little late? Don't fret. We have a quick guide to getting your home guest-ready in under one hour to help you minimize last-minute stress.
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