Say Goodbye To Bulky Dish Racks & Try A Cute And Affordable Dollar Tree Alternative

If you have to wash your dishes by hand, one way to make the process easier is to skip towel drying and place your clean dishes on a dish drying rack instead. However, drying racks tend to be bulky and can take up way too much precious counter space. And where do you store the monster rack when you're not using it? Even with several different ways to customize your kitchen dish rack for organized countertops, you can't magically make it smaller. So, if you're ready to say goodbye to bulky dish racks, then the cute and stylish dish drying mats from Dollar Tree are an alternative worth considering.

The Home Collection Dish Drying Mats have received rave reviews online, with buyers praising the aesthetics, functionality, and DIY potential of the mats. Although the mats are quite large themselves, measuring 12 inches by 18 inches, they are far easier to fold up and store away when not in use. Cleaning the mats is quite a bit easier as well, since you can normally toss them in the washing machine along with your towels. With so many benefits, these patterned dish mats may just be the best alternative to traditional bulky dish racks for small kitchens.

Drying mats are available at many stores, but Dollar Tree offers a budget-friendly version. Similar to towels, the drying mats are thicker and highly absorbent. Simply lay one on your counter and put the clean dishes on top to dry. The Dollar Tree dish drying mats are available in a decent selection of patterns including bees, autumnal leaves, plaid, and solid colors — all for just $1.50 each. With such a wide selection, it's easy to find something that meets your decor preferences. You could even switch the drying mats in and out seasonally. In addition to looking good, the absorbent material helps dry your dishes while keeping your counters safe and dry as well.

While the mats are a great alternative if you're looking to get rid of excess bulk, they do have a few downsides to consider as well. For starters, dish drying mats lack the airflow that dish drying racks offer. This means you may have to flip your dishes around part way through drying. Alternatively, you could place chopsticks or small wooden dowels under your dishes as a hack that'll make drying dishes a breeze without a rack.

Another potential downside, especially with absorbent microfiber material, is that the mats could become a breeding ground for mold or mildew. Regularly washing and fully drying your mat should prevent this from happening. Never fold up the mat for storage when it's still damp. You can usually wash and dry a microfiber mat in your washing machine and dryer — just check the manufacturer's instructions to make sure it's safe.