The Functional Gadget That Doubles As A Way To Organize Your Kitchen Sink

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Washing the dishes often means fumbling for the dish soap, scrubber, or bottle cleaner — hoping that your items stay somewhat organized as you manage your chores. While many kitchen sink organizers offer trays or holders to keep our cleaning supplies in order, they can also be expensive, difficult to clean, or downright unattractive. Enter an expandable colander. This functional kitchen gadget can double as a sink caddy, keeping your scrubbing tools sorted while offering a simple, appealing aesthetic. And yes, it's easy to clean, too.

Not only does a collapsible colander provide additional storage for kitchen sink items, but you can also use it for its intended function: as a colander. For an affordable price, a collapsible colander (like the $6 Figmint Over-the-Sink Expandable Strainer from Target) creates a convenient shelf for spray bottles, soaps, or even herbs. At the same time, it offers ample drainage to store your wet sponges so they don't get stinky. Alternative retractable sink colanders from brands like Blue Gingko and KesaPlan are available on Amazon but at a higher price. Regardless, while this type of colander may not be suitable for every sink size or shape and could be prone to slipping or movement, it can be a simple gadget to organize your sink without overspending on storage solutions. 

If you can't turn the wall space above your kitchen sink into a useful storage solution, use a collapsible colander that pulls double duty as a sink shelf instead. Do this by extending the product so it runs across the length or width of your sink. One advantage of using this gadget as a sink shelf is that it can combat poor drainage, a flaw of many ceramic scrubbing holders. Traditional holders often hold water and food debris, which can result in grime, or worse, mold. That's not a problem with collapsible colanders, though, thanks to the hole-filled design. Additionally, using a colander as a sink tray will keep cleaning materials off the countertop and out of the sink basin, where a lack of airflow could mean retained moisture and a breeding ground for bacteria.  

Collapsible colanders are adjustable, meaning you can change the length of the colander to fit your sink. Some users have been able to store a decent amount of tools of varying weights and sizes on these colanders, including potted herbs, ceramic scrubber dishes, soap bottles, and washcloths — all at the same time. The colander also features a lip or edge to hang spray bottles with ease. For such a low price, many users praise the quality, adjustability, and durability. 

While the colander acts as an effective kitchen sink shelf for most, it may not be ideal for all sink types. For instance, this gadget doesn't work as effectively for sinks that are small, shallow, round, or split in the middle. Also, one concern many users expressed was that the colander doesn't lock into place. This could present challenges with the collapsible colander sliding, shifting, or falling into the sink basin. Because of this, use caution when placing breakable things like ceramic holders or plant pots in the collapsible colander. An accidental bump or nudge could cause the ensemble to fall, potentially damaging any materials sitting on top.

Like many kitchen sink organizers, the colander will need to be cleaned regularly to prevent grime buildup. For some, this could be one extra and unnecessary item to add to their to-do list. Other homeowners may find this gadget less than ideal if they prefer a clean look in their space. Cleaning supplies will be on full display, so unattractive containers may look tacky on the tray. While there are several smart ways to store and organize cleaning supplies out of sight, the collapsible colander is not one of them. Still, those craving a simple and affordable solution for stashing their dish-scrubbing utensils consider this item a good choice.