Never Keep These 8 Items in Your Drawers

By Melissa M. • Jun 25, 2024

Items You Should Never Store in a Drawer and Why-1

Drawers are convenient for storing various items, but some things are better kept elsewhere for safety, efficiency, and longevity. Here are eight items you should avoid keeping in drawers and the reasons why.

1. Sharp Knives

Never Keep These 8 Items in Your Drawers-2 Storing sharp knives in a drawer can be dangerous. Not only can they cause accidental cuts when you're searching for them, but they can also become dull more quickly due to friction with other items. Instead, store them in a knife block or a magnetic strip on the wall for easy access and safety.

2. Heavy Cookware

Never Keep These 8 Items in Your Drawers-3 Heavy pots and pans can damage drawer mechanisms over time. The weight can cause the drawer to sag or even break. It's better to store heavy cookware in lower cabinets or on sturdy shelves designed to support their weight.

3. Loose Batteries

Never Keep These 8 Items in Your Drawers-4 Keeping loose batteries in a drawer, especially with other metal objects, poses a fire hazard. If the terminals come into contact with metal, they can short circuit and generate enough heat to start a fire. Store batteries in a dedicated container, preferably with the terminals covered.

4. Raw Food and Perishables

Never Keep These 8 Items in Your Drawers-5 Kitchen drawers lack proper ventilation and temperature control, making them unsuitable for storing raw foods or perishables. These items can spoil quickly and pose a health risk due to the growth of harmful bacteria. Always store raw and perishable foods in the refrigerator.

5. Important Documents

Never Keep These 8 Items in Your Drawers-6 Drawers are not secure enough for storing important documents like passports, birth certificates, or financial records. These items are likely to be forgotten, take up too much space, and can easily get crumpled if kept in a drawer and should be stored elsewhere, digitized, or shredded.

6. Takeout Supplies

Never Keep These 8 Items in Your Drawers-7 Avoid putting condiment packets in your drawer, as they can accumulate quickly and create a mess if they spill, and they are rarely used. Plastic utensils and straws should also be kept out for hygiene reasons, and takeout menus can easily get stuck at the back and tear.

7. Gum and Mints

Never Keep These 8 Items in Your Drawers-8 Although gum and mints aren't classified as food, they still go into your mouth, so it's best to keep them separate from non-food items. Additionally, if gum escapes its packaging, it can create a sticky mess. Store extra packs of gum and mints in a small container with your pantry items instead of in the junk drawer.

8. Plastic Wrap

Never Keep These 8 Items in Your Drawers-9 Most of us keep plastic wrap in a kitchen drawer or cupboard alongside aluminum foil and wax paper. However, storing plastic wrap in the freezer can make it easier to handle. The cold temperature weakens the plastic wrap's chemical bonds, changing its molecular structure and making it less sticky and more manageable.