The $5 IKEA Solution To Replace Traditional Dish Racks That Stores Away Easily

For those who like to hand-wash their dishes — or who have no say in the matter — a good dish-drying rack is a must-have. Unfortunately, many dish racks are cumbersome, take up a lot of space, and are difficult to move around when clearing kitchen counters. A more affordable and convenient option that could help you better manage your dishwashing duties is the IKEA SPJUTLILJA dish drainer.

Retailing for $4.99, the IKEA SPJUTLILJA is a compact addition to your home's inventory; in kitchens where hand-washing dishes is common, this dish drainer will easily earn its keep. Made from easy-to-care-for plastic, it measures 6 ¾ inches high by 15 ¼ inches long by 8 ¾ inches wide, and features 10 raised plastic dividers, as well as a small compartment for drying utensils. There is a sturdy handle on each side of the drainer, which will simplify moving it around the kitchen; meanwhile, thoughtfully designed grooves on the bottom of the container help to keep dishes out of standing water. 

At the time of writing, customers had given the drainer a 4.4-star average rating, praising its quality and practicality when storing heavy items or even camping. One 5-star review on IKEA's website states, "This drainer has no holes, so we can leave it on our countertop without worrying about water leaking out."

This simple kitchen product could be especially helpful for those who need a little boost in drying space or want a more portable dish drainer: college students, single people, campers, or couples without kids in the house. However, because there are no drainage holes, regular washing and drying of the unit itself is imperative if you want to keep slime from accumulating in the bottom. You might be tempted to throw it in the top rack of your dishwasher as a way to say bye to a slimy dish drainer, but the care instructions on the product page denote that it is only suitable for handwashing. One review mentions improving the design by drilling holes in the bottom to allow water to drain. Once the bottom of the drainer is perforated, however, you'll want to keep it on top of a towel or tray to collect the drips or store it in the sink.

IKEA's SPJUTLILJA is ideal for smaller kitchens with limited countertop space. Instead of leaving a stack of dishes on the counter or in the sink, this IKEA dish rack solution makes it easy to clear your countertop in seconds. Even when it's loaded up with washed dishes, its manageable size allows you to put it away, eliminating visual clutter in a matter of seconds. For more tips, here are some decorative solutions to keep kitchen counters clutter-free.