Say Goodbye To Cluttered Dish Racks That Take Up Space. An Aesthetic Alternative Is Here

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Home cooks who don't have dishwashers in their kitchen will know the plight of a cluttered dish drying rack. Not only is this a somewhat unsightly way to let your clean dishes and cookware air out, it's also impractical — finding a spot for odd-shaped glasses or larger pots and pans can be a real nuisance. Thankfully, eagle-eyed shoppers have spotted a cuter, more pragmatic alternative: foldable stone dish drying mats.

Typically made from a mix of diatomaceous earth and PVC, these nifty mats regularly receive high praise from reviewers and influencers, who shout out their low-profile design and high absorbency. They're intended to be both durable and space-saving. When they're not in use, they can easily be rolled up and stashed somewhere else, like under your kitchen sink or flush against the wall on your counter. Many stone dish drying mats, like this Skyutacil Stone Dish Drying Mat from Amazon ($18), come in chic neutrals like white or gray; others feature subtle patterns or marbling, such as this Bornerwhite Large Stone Dish Drying Mat, which goes for about $25 on Amazon. Their dimensions vary, too, making them suitable for kitchen counters in a range of sizes. Whether you're looking to declutter your countertops or make your kitchen more aesthetic, these mats are a solid choice.

There are plenty of reasons to consider switching to a stone dish drying mat. Since many of them can be folded, they take up less space than conventional dish racks and can help keep your kitchen countertops free of clutter. They're also less likely to breed mold or mildew than other drying mats out there. All they require is some spot-cleaning if they get stained.

That said, stone dish drying mats aren't the only aesthetically pleasing option on the market. Microfiber mats — like this well-reviewed, machine-washable Brightroom drying mat from Target, or the ultra-affordable Home Collection drying mat from Dollar Tree — are one alternative. They look just as sleek and typically retail at a lower price point. Amazon sells a wide range of attractive fabric mats, too, such as the S&T Inc. Dish Drying Mat XL, which comes in a variety of colors, patterns, and dimensions.

Still not sold on dish drying mats in general? Consider trying out a rack that's designed to save counter space, such as the innovative HULTARP dish drainer from IKEA that can be hung from a wall-mounted rod. It may also help to measure your biggest pots, pans, or cookware as well as the width and length of your kitchen counter. That way, you can search for a dish drying solution that's spacious enough to hold your clunkiest items but won't dominate your precious counter space.