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In every kitchen, there is one zone that attracts clutter like no other: the spice zone. Keeping your spices tucked away from heat and moisture is key to their longevity, but keeping them tidy? That’s not as straightforward. Maybe it’s the different-sized bottles all fighting for space, but trying to find that one spice you need (which is always somehow tucked in the very far corner of the cupboard) feels like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube. If you’re on the hunt for genius ways to store spices without cluttering up the kitchen, you’ve got to try the nifty expandable spice rack that keeps cupboards clutter-free.

While the spice rack isn’t exactly new, this cabinet organizer is customizable, and the ability to make it longer or shorter depending on your needs makes it a game-changer. Think about it: How many times have you crammed holiday baking or cooking spices into the cupboard, then wondered what black hole they sank into because you could never find them again? By simply expanding the rack, you can easily make room for those extra, special-bought spices for that recipe without cluttering up the kitchen cabinet. This, in our book, makes it a genius hack to utilize every inch of cabinet space in your kitchen.

Ready to kick clutter to the curb? Clear out and clean your spice cabinet. Make sure to wipe down your spice containers as well. It might seem a little extra, but a 2022 study revealed that spice containers were more than twice as likely to be contaminated by bacteria as other places in your kitchen. Then, measure your cabinet’s length and width to make sure the rack will fit neatly inside. Make sure the minimum length will fit comfortably inside, but to get full utility, place it in a cupboard with a little extra room.

Next, decide what finish you’d like. Finding a style that looks good in your kitchen will make you more likely to use it and keep it tidy. The most common finishes are bamboo or white, but you can easily paint, stain, or decorate these to match your kitchen’s vibe. For a clean, white plastic spice rack that’s easy to wipe down, check out the Oizeir 3-Tier Expandable Plastic Spice Rack. The Better Homes & Gardens Bamboo 3-Tier Expandable Spice Rack from Walmart is another easy-to-clean option, but with a bright wood look that will blend into many kitchen styles.

Another reason the expandable spice rack ranks high on our favorite kitchen organization tools is its versatility. You can use it on the counter to declutter your coffee station or tuck it in a cupboard to organize small baking supplies, like sprinkle canisters, measuring spoons, food coloring, and specialty extracts. Or use it to organize your coffee mugs so you find your favorite through the morning pre-coffee fog.