How do I measure my under-sink cabinet for a Kmart basket?

Measure the interior width from side wall to side wall, the depth from the front edge to the back wall, and the height from the floor to the bottom of the sink basin. Also note where the drain pipe sits—centred, left, or right—and how much space is around it. Subtract a few centimetres from each measurement to leave room for the door and any hinges.

Can I use a Kmart basket to store cleaning products under the sink?

Yes, but choose a material that handles moisture. Solid plastic baskets are the easiest to wipe down and protect the cabinet from drips. Coated wire baskets work if you line them with a plastic tray or liner to catch leaks. Avoid fabric mesh baskets for wet bottles, as they absorb moisture and can develop mould.

What is the best way to stack Kmart baskets under the sink?

Stacking works only if you have enough vertical clearance above the drain pipe. Measure the height from the floor to the bottom of the sink basin. If you have at least 40 centimetres, you can stack two shallow baskets. Place heavy items on the bottom basket and light items on top. Use interlocking feet or a shelf for stability.

Are Kmart under sink baskets rust-proof?

Kmart's coated wire baskets have a rust-resistant coating, but it is not indestructible. If the coating gets scratched or chipped, moisture can cause rust. To extend the life, keep the basket dry, wipe up spills promptly, and consider using a plastic liner or tray. Solid plastic baskets are completely rust-proof.

Kmart Under Sink Storage Baskets: Comparing the Options

Myth: One Basket Fits Every Under-Sink Space

The most common assumption about under-sink storage is that a single basket type will work in any cabinet. In reality, Kmart sells several baskets with different widths, depths, and handle placements, and the shape of your plumbing determines which one actually fits. A basket that clears the sink basin on one side may collide with the P-trap on the other.

The reality is that you need to measure your cabinet's interior width, the depth from the door to the back wall, and the height available under the sink drain. Most Kmart baskets are between 20 and 30 centimetres wide, but some have tall side handles that reduce usable clearance. Before choosing, slide a piece of cardboard cut to the basket's footprint under the sink to check for pipe interference.

If your plumbing is centred and low, a shallow open basket that sits beside the drain pipe is safer than a deep one. If your sink has a garbage disposal or a large trap, a narrow basket that fits on the side wall is the only realistic option. Measure twice, then pick the basket that matches your actual cabinet, not the one that looks best on the shelf.

Measure width, depth, and height clearance before buying.
Check for the P-trap position: centred, left, or right.
Choose a shallow basket if the drain pipe is low.
Pick a narrow side-mount basket for small or awkward cabinets.

Basket Type	Typical Width	Best For	Watch Out For
Open wire basket	20–30 cm	Bottles and spray cleaners	Wide footprint may hit pipes
Stackable mesh basket	25–30 cm	Stacking two layers	Needs tall vertical clearance
Small caddy basket	15–20 cm	Sponges and scrub brushes	Too small for full-size bottles
Deep bin basket	25–35 cm	Bulk refills and cloths	Heavy when full; hard to pull out

Open wire baskets and mesh containers arranged under a sink cabinet

Myth: Wire Baskets Are Only for Dry Storage

Many people assume that open wire baskets cannot hold cleaning products because spills will drip onto the cabinet floor. The reality is that most Kmart wire baskets are coated with a rust-resistant finish, but the coating is not a waterproof barrier. If you store leaking bottles directly on the wire, moisture can pool at the bottom and eventually wear through the coating.

The practical workaround is to line the basket with a removable plastic liner or a small tray that catches drips. This keeps the wire clean and makes it easy to pull the whole basket out and rinse it. Alternatively, use the wire basket for dry goods like sponges, cloths, and brushes, and reserve a plastic bin for anything with a trigger sprayer.

If you prefer a fully waterproof option, look for Kmart's solid plastic baskets or tubs. These are easier to wipe down and protect the cabinet from drips, but they do not allow air circulation. For an under-sink area that tends to stay humid, a wire basket with a liner gives you the best of both: airflow and easy cleaning.

Coated wire basket with a plastic liner holding cleaning supplies under a sink

Myth: Stackable Baskets Double Your Storage Space

The idea of stacking two baskets to use vertical space is appealing, but it only works if your under-sink cabinet has enough height above the drain pipe. In many standard cabinets, the P-trap and the sink basin eat up the top 15 to 20 centimetres, leaving no room for a second basket on top of the first. The reality is that a single deep basket often stores more than two shallow stacked ones.

When stacking does work, it requires a stable base. Kmart's stackable mesh baskets typically have interlocking feet, but those feet add height and can make the top basket wobbly if the bottom one is not perfectly level. A better approach is to use a tension rod or a shelf that sits above the pipe, then place a single basket on each side of the rod.

Before committing to a stack, measure the distance from the cabinet floor to the bottom of the sink basin. If you have less than 25 centimetres of clearance, skip the stack and use a single deep basket that fits beside the pipe. If you have more than 40 centimetres, a two-tier stack can work, but keep heavy bottles on the bottom and light items on top.

Myth: Handles Are Just a Grip for Pulling

A handle on a basket is often seen as a convenience for sliding the basket out, but the handle's position changes how the basket fits under the sink. Baskets with tall, arched handles require extra clearance at the front of the cabinet, because the handle needs to clear the door frame when you pull the basket forward. In a shallow cabinet, that clearance may not exist.

The reality is that a basket without a handle, or one with recessed side grips, is often easier to slide in and out of an under-sink space because it has a smaller footprint. You can reach in and grip the basket's rim instead. For baskets that sit on a slide-out tray, a handle is less important because the tray does the pulling.

If you prefer a handled basket, check whether the handle folds flat. Folding handles are common on Kmart's collapsible storage baskets, and they let you store the basket flush against the cabinet wall when not in use. For everyday access, a rigid handle on the front is fine, but it will limit how far the basket can slide out unless you install a sliding track.

Myth: A Basket Is a Basket—Material Doesn't Matter

People often choose a basket based on looks, assuming that any material works under the sink. The reality is that the material determines how the basket handles moisture, weight, and cleaning. Metal wire baskets are strong and allow airflow, but they can rust if the coating chips. Plastic baskets are waterproof and lightweight, but they can crack if you drop them or if you store heavy glass bottles.

Kmart's range includes coated wire, solid plastic, and mesh fabric baskets. The fabric ones look nice but absorb moisture and are harder to clean, so they are best for dry items like sponges in a well-ventilated cabinet. Solid plastic is the most practical for a wet area because you can wipe it down and it will not harbour mould.

Weight capacity also differs by material. A coated wire basket can usually hold a full bottle of detergent, but a plastic basket with thin walls may sag under the same load. Check the label for a weight rating, and if you are storing heavy refills, place them on the cabinet floor instead of in a hanging basket. For most cleaning supplies, a sturdy plastic or coated wire basket is the safer choice.