A Simple IKEA Utensil Holder Is About To Be Your New Favorite Way To Compost

You probably already know how beneficial composting at home is — you may have even learned that back in the third grade. But what you may not know, is that you can use a unique, easy-to-apply composting technique using the super affordable ORDNING stainless steel utensil holder from IKEA. For just $4.99, plus a heap of lawn and kitchen scraps (and a few worms), you can create your own worm composting system, also called vermicomposting, right inside a box garden, gardening bin, or large pot. The best part is that you're composting as you garden, and by the time your compost is ready, it's already worked into the soil where your plants can use it.

Vermicomposting is one of the simplest ways to turn food waste into a nutrient-dense soil amendment at home, giving your plants the boost they need to grow strong and healthy. It's especially convenient if you live in an apartment or have limited outdoor space but still want to grow your own produce or flowers. IKEA's ORDNING utensil holder is the perfect tool to accomplish this, with holes that allow the compost to enter the surrounding soil. 

If you've avoided composting due to a lack of yard space, try this clever hack using IKEA's ORDNING stainless steel utensil holder. It makes composting convenient and a little cleaner to manage. Start with a large plant pot, big enough to fit at least three rosemary-sized plants. After filling the pot with soil, place the utensil holder inside up to the top and smooth the soil around the rim so it stays in place.

Next, layer composting materials inside the utensil holder. Start with carbon-rich "browns," such as soil, shredded cardboard, dried leaves, egg cartons, plant stalks, twigs, brown paper bags (as long as they're not glossy or colored), or untreated wood chips. Then come the worms. Of the 9,000 worm species, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that only seven are suitable for vermicomposting, with Eisenia fetida (aka the red wiggler) being the most common. So, if possible, get them from a fellow gardener, since the EPA discourages using outdoor worms or buying them from bait shops.

The next layer is nitrogen-rich "greens" like fruit scraps, veggie peels, crushed eggshells, grass clippings, paper tea bags (without staples), paper filters, and coffee grounds. Continue layering with your browns and greens, and top it off with a brown layer. The final step is to lightly spritz your compost pile (don't soak it), then cover it with a lid — anything that fits snuggly over the top of the utensil holder.

IKEA's utensil holder checks all the boxes as a simple way to house your in-ground vermicompost heap without needing tons of gardening space. It looks similar to in-ground compost bins found online, but it's a fraction of the price. It's round, just as the University of Missouri Extension recommends for containing a pile, and already has built-in holes that allow for drainage and airflow. Since stainless steel is opaque, it keeps light out, which also helps maintain the process. While traditional composting naturally attracts earthworms and other critters like centipedes and millipedes, vermicomposting speeds things up by adding worms directly to the pile so they can get to work right away. As for the soil around the utensil holder, it acts as insulation, something the EPA recommends to keep the heap warm during cooler months.

One thing to keep in mind with this method is that stainless steel can rust when exposed to heat and moisture over time. While rust isn't usually harmful to plants, it may be best to transfer mature compost into other garden beds once it's ready and then restart the process with a new utensil holder. The EPA estimates that compost takes between three and six months to develop, and this IKEA method offers an affordable, compact, and clean way to make it happen. Even without worms, this approach still seems effective. Just remember that moisture balance is key when vermicomposting, so if you notice decomposition slowing, give the pile a turn and lightly water it.