I ditched it a few years ago and why did I wait so long? I use a dish towel and when things are dry the towel goes away. I hate counter clutter.

Anonymous wrote:I just spread a kitchen towel next to the sink when I have hand wash items that need to dry. Otherwise, the counter is clear.

I don't like the look of having an actual rack sitting out 24/7.

Forgot to mention that it's super easy to keep this drying system clean! Plastic drying racks get gross/need scrubbing, and mats aren't as versatile. I like having a stack of towels I can use as a drying spot any time, and then they can be tossed in with the rest of the kitchen laundry.

I just spread a kitchen towel next to the sink when I have hand wash items that need to dry. Otherwise, the counter is clear.

I don't like the look of having an actual rack sitting out 24/7.

Yes, we have a circular mat that is raised in the back by a few degrees so the water drains back into the sink. Couldn't live without it!

We use both and leave them out at all times. I hand wash a lot of things and like another poster, end up with wet tupperware from the dishwasher that need a place to dry completely. Both the rack and mat get washed each week. I want my kitchen to be functional not on the cover of some decor magazine.

You know, these mats can be washed. I don't understand the people saying they are gross. What a weird topic.

Anonymous wrote:We have a mat that we use. When the dishes are dry, we roll it up & stick it in a drawer. Pretty easy & functional for our small kitchen.

+1

Why is this so difficult to comprehend?

I use a mat for the few things that are hand washed. Our sink is in the island and I don't want the clutter of a rack.

Yes, it's in the other half of the sink.

I always have one out. Don't really get how people don't. There are always things in it drying. Like tupperware that came out of the dishwasher sopping wet, all the stuff that doesn't go in the dishwasher (lunch bags that need rinsing out, the colander, the tray I used for lunch outside and washed off, etc. Always something!
While I agree it isn't pretty, this is where real life trump Pinterest.

Anonymous wrote:I think it's ugly but DH insists on it. Especially since our sink is in the island. I grew up without one and we (my mom) survived just fine.

Does DH USE the rack? If not, get rid of it! I keep one IN the sink and use it constantly. Crap ON the counter makes me twitchy LOL

I don't have a dishwasher. I keep a dish towel laid out on the counter to the right of the sink and lay things there to dry as I wash them.

I don't understand why people use these (unless you don't have a dishwasher). I just think they are gross. If I have a couple pots/pans or utensils that I hand wash I leave them on the stove to dry. They seem to dry faster that way, and in an hour I can put them away and not have to see the visual clutter.

Anonymous wrote:I have one built into the cabinet above one of the parts of the sink, like this:


I can close the cabinet and it hides the drying dishes completely. A friend in Japan had this and I copied the idea. Japanese people seem to really come up with cool ways to increase the functionality of stuff while also making things look cleaner and more simple.

Do you not have a dishwasher?

Yes and it is cheap and gross - but I haven't washed a dish in 5 years of marriage, so I live with it. I wish it was put away under the sink when not in use.