The best alternative to traditional bulky dish drying racks for small kitchens

One of the most useful kitchen products is a dish drainer, which eliminates the need to dry each item by hand. This is also a great excuse to let them sit for a while (or a few days) while acknowledging that you did the dishes. Essentially, these modern inventions save time no matter how you use them. It then seems unnecessary to update them further, but in fact there is an even more useful version. Instead of standard dish racks that sit on the side of the sink on the counter, rolled up dish draining racks can be rolled out across the sink, saving even more space in the kitchen. There are countless options, including Folding dish drainer KRAUS or Roll Up dish drainer made of silicone and stainless steel from I, Mother Earth. Whether you have a small cooking area or just need as much counter space as possible for other tasks, these units are perfect for making life a little easier.

Dish drying racks are convenient because they give you a place to store freshly washed dishes, plates, cups, pots, pans and other utensils while they dry. In most cases, air drying is better for dishes because towels can carry germs and bacteria even after just one use. Leaving them on the counter a little longer than usual is fine too, as long as you don’t mind the mess. You should be Clean your dish dryer regularly either way, and keeping it over the sink and near the faucet will make it easier to flush after each use.

There are a number kitchen utensils that, in a pinch, can also be used as a rack for drying dishesBut what if we completely abandon the countertop versions? While the space saving factor is certainly a huge benefit for them, there is a second benefit that could seal the deal. By hanging a dish rack over the sink rather than placing it on the countertop, you eliminate the need to clean surfaces after you put the dishes away. Whether you use a mat, towel, or pad under a traditional dish rack, they can find their way onto your counters. The counter itself can also drip and leave watermarks, water, stains, and even food residue stuck to your surfaces. While they are fairly easy to clean, it adds another task to your dishwashing duties.

When you hang dishes over the sink to dry on the rack, the water flows back into the sink. From here, you can simply rinse off any residue and debris, including water stains, from your dishes. This way you essentially eliminate an extra step. It can also help minimize the amount of germs and bacteria that can accumulate on towels and pads, which are typically placed under drying racks on counters. Plus, in a small kitchen, storage space is often limited. Another benefit of a rolled mat is that it can be tucked away in a small drawer where it will take up less space than a traditional drying rack. Repurpose an old dish drainer and choose an over-the-sink option to make your kitchen more functional.