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This article was updated in May 2023 to replace out-of-stock items and answer some frequently asked questions about dish racks.

Even when using .css-eone0e{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#125C68;text-underline-offset:0.25rem; color :#125C68;-webkit-transition:All 0.3 seconds smoothly in and out;transition:All 0.3 seconds smoothly in and out;word-break:break-word;}.css-eone0e:hover{color: #595959 ;text- Decoration-color: #595959;} While modern dishwashers can handle most of the heavy lifting, sometimes you still have to wash some items by hand. Whether it’s a few dishes from breakfast or dishes you like to wash with your favorite dish soap, having the right drying rack means everything has a place to be stored and you don’t have to worry about breakage or damage. Plus, a good dish rack helps keep everything separate and allows for maximum air flow and drainage, which ultimately speeds up drying time.
Air drying dishes, cutlery, pots and pans on a dish rack is also more hygienic than towel drying them because it doesn’t matter how clean the towel you use. However, if the water is hard, it is recommended to dry the dishes (especially glass and plastic) with a clean towel after draining to prevent water stains.
If you’re thinking about adding a clothes drying rack to your sink space or replacing your existing one, these are our recommendations from the most trusted brands, as well as the styles that performed well in our tests.
When we test dish racks at the Good Housekeeping Institute, we evaluate how easy they are to assemble, how much space they take up relative to the number of items they hold, how easy they are to load, how well they drain water, and how foldable they are. How easy are they to store? We also consider whether they are easy to clean.
After reviewing our favorite coasters, read on to learn more about how we test coasters, what to look for when buying a coaster, how to care for it, and why you should trust our reviews.
Simple Human products performed well in Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab tests. From soap dispensers to paper towel holders to trash cans, Simple Human products are well made, well designed, and perform well, and this dish rack is no exception. Lab experts say it’s easy to assemble, durable, and has excellent storage capacity. They love that it drains well from either side, meaning you can place it in any direction, to the left or right of the sink, and the water will still flow. Plus, its anti-fingerprint steel finish and coated plastic tray speed up drying, meaning smudges and water stains are no longer a problem. While these additions come at a price, we think something this obvious in your kitchen should also look its best.
If you just want basic functionality and an affordable price, this simple utensil rack from Rubbermaid is for you. We use several of these racks at the Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab to store all dirty dishes before testing dishwashers, dishwasher detergents, and dish soaps. They’re durable, well made, and best of all, they can fit right into the bottom rack of the dishwasher for easy cleaning. The coated wire holds the board securely in an upright position, does not rust, and is treated with Microban to prevent bacterial growth. However, don’t expect many extras for this price. The set only includes a small cutlery drawer with a latch.
If you wash dishes and cutlery by hand most of the time, KitchenAid racks can handle it with ease. The slanted design of the rack allows water to drain from the board into the sink, leaving plenty of room for pots, pans, lids and more. The removable full-length cutlery tray mimics the cutlery tray found in KitchenAid dishwashers and is divided into three sections for better drying and water drainage. Seven ridges on the side closest to the sink provide ample space for frequently washed cups and glasses, although there is no separate space for glasses. The stainless steel finish gives it an upscale look, and we love the understated look that gives it a more discreet look and less clutter on the countertop.
Sometimes when dishes pile up, it helps to have some extra space. This rack from Sabatier features a drying panel that expands from 18.5 to 29.4 inches, giving you nearly 11 inches of extra drying space. The set also includes a removable glass holder for hanging elegant wine glasses. Other nice details include a separate cutlery drawer, extra-wide pan tray, drain spout that swivels to drain water in two directions, and stainless steel accents. While this rack hasn’t been tested by the GH Cleaning Lab, online reviewers think it’s generally durable, although some feel that moving the drain board and drip tray requires a little more care.
A utensil rack that sits on the counter 24/7, no matter how stylish it may be, may not be your ideal, eye-catching kitchen decor. If so, or if you have limited counter space, this folding stand from Oxo is a great option. Fully opens to store plates, cutlery, cups, bowls and more. The cutlery drawer is separate and the internal teeth fold down when you need a flat surface for draining large bowls, casseroles or utensils. When the cleaning experts at Good Housekeeping sat down with Oxo to demo this dish rack, what was most impressive was how the sides, legs, and teeth fold down, as well as how the spout folds down to neatly store it on the side under the kitchen. sink. While it may not be as large as other shelves, we think its ability to store neatly outweighs the few extra items it might not fit. Hey, bulky items should go in the dishwasher anyway!
For extra drying power, this customizable dish rack from Premium Racks lifts up instead of sliding out, and its two-tier design ensures you’ll never be overwhelmed by space. The removable top shelf can be placed in front, behind or on either side of the bottom shelf. Other unique features include a wide utensil holder, a separate knife holder, three cup holders with a drip tray, and a cutting board attachment with its own drip tray. Unlike other products we’ve seen, it comes with two different types of drain boards (one of which has a rim to drain water into the sink) and a microfiber pad if you prefer to keep water from dripping onto the counter). We haven’t tested this model in the GH Clean Lab, but it has generally received good reviews from consumers, with some noting issues with the top drainage and holding large dishes, as shown here.
For the ideal hidden clothes dryer, consider a roll dryer, such as one from Kraus. Simply place it on the sink and place clean items on top to drain. When not drying dishes, it rolls up for easy, compact storage in a drawer or cabinet, and is coated with silicone and can withstand temperatures up to 400°F, so it can also be used as a trivet to protect countertops from hot pots and damage. into pots or pans. GH Cleaning Labs has tested roll-up shelving of a similar design and recommends it for use in any home, large or small. The manufacturer claims this product can hold up to 40 pounds, is dishwasher safe, easy to clean, and can even be used to drain freshly washed fruits and vegetables. Remember that it is best to have items that can be held securely on their own.
Umbra is a company known for making really cool home accessories and storage items with unique designs, so we weren’t surprised to hear that this mini dish holder was also a hit with consumers. It has nearly 6,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, making it ideal for one- or two-person families and small spaces. Its low-profile design makes it fit right inside your kitchen sink. Rubberized feet provide stability without scratching, and the utensil holder can be moved or removed. Best for holding just a few items, we like that it keeps dishes out of the counter and out of sight while drying. This is also worth considering in larger households, as most dishes will go in the dishwasher, with only the occasional dish washed by hand.
Whether you place it above the sink or in the sink, this dish rack from Polder frees up valuable counter space while items drain and dry. Polder makes quality products for home organization and laundry, and judging by all the positive reviews online, this small dish rack is no exception. The grab bars are made of stainless steel and extend up to 27 inches long, allowing you to safely install any sink, while the rubber coating on the grab bars and legs protects the sink surface from scratches. According to the manufacturer, it holds up to 10 plates, with space for glasses and other small items (we think it could even be used to drain fruits and vegetables!). There are no small drawers for cutlery and dishes.
Our GH Cleaning Lab loves this small Kohler dryer because it comes with special features for safely drying and storing wine glasses. This is a great addition if you already have a dish draining rack that can’t accommodate glasses. The top surface of the base cushion can even circulate air inside glasses placed directly on it, or can catch drips from glasses suspended above it. The rack holds six standard or four extra-large wine glasses and can be folded for storage or placed directly in the cabinet to securely secure glasses and allow easy access.
A utensil rack is a kitchen accessory you’ll see in many GH Institute labs, wherever you cook and clean. When we test dish racks, we check their form and function.
The racks we recommend in this review were chosen based on our experience and evaluation of over 20 dish rack models and brands.
Check the capacity of each container, count the quantities, and write down the types of items each container can hold. They are also rated on how easy they are to assemble, disassemble and store, as well as the durability, drainage and performance characteristics of any containers, trays and accessories. Finally, calculate the capacity to size ratio so we can determine if they are worth the space they take up.
Buying a placemat doesn’t have to be a difficult task, and new placemats are a lot different from the humble models of the past, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Please consider these factors when purchasing.
✔️ SIZE: Consider how much space you need for your utensil rack and how large a space you want it to take up in your kitchen. Do you need something that can store a lot of items, or do you need something that you only use occasionally but prefer to hide out of sight?
✔️ Capacity: Add-ons like cutlery drawers, glass holders, and pull-out draining boards are useful, but they increase the overall size of the utensil rack and complicate storage. If you wash most of your laundry by hand, these additional features may come in handy. If not, please think twice before purchasing.
✔️Design: If you place it on the counter, the dish rack will definitely become a part of your kitchen decor. The ones with stainless steel finishes and coated lines are more attractive than all the plastic ones. A low-profile model will be less noticeable than a taller model with more attachments and accessories. A pull-out drip tray helps keep water off the counter but can be stowed away when not needed, and a removable drain makes it easy to place the dish rack next to the sink. Finally, most dish racks come in white, black, stainless steel, and wood.
✔️STORAGE: It’s ideal to hide the dish rack in a cabinet, but this can be difficult if it’s not a collapsible design. Extra parts and accessories can get lost if not used regularly. If keeping your utensil rack out of sight is important to you, choose a collapsible utensil rack like our Oxo Pick with minimal additional accessories.
Utensil racks are available in a variety of materials such as plastic, stainless steel, coated steel, wood, etc. While all materials are durable and affordable, stainless steel and wood tend to look more premium and therefore more expensive.
The best material is the one that suits you best in terms of cost and appearance of your kitchen:
The key to keeping your dish rack clean (and rust-free) is to keep it dry. After each use, drain excess water and dry the stand and all parts. Wash frequently with warm, soapy water. Some are even dishwasher safe or have dishwasher-safe parts on the top rack to make cleaning easier. To be sure, check your brand’s cleaning guidelines.
Bridget Earley is a writer and editor with nearly 15 years of experience covering lifestyle topics including home, cleaning, organization, health, parenting, beauty, fashion, food and entertainment. She has written articles for many national publications, including Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health and others.
Caroline Forte has over 40 years of experience as a consumer cleaning products expert. She’s tested nearly every type of dishwashing liquid and dishwasher detergent, as well as sponges, scrubbers, dish racks, and more. She also has a lot of personal experience to rely on: Because it can take her family of two days to fill the dishwasher, she washes a lot of dishes by hand.
Brigitte is a writer, editor and stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics including family, health, parenting, beauty, fashion, food, entertainment, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamor, People, Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce and others.
Carolyn Forte brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care and Cleaning Lab. She leverages her deep analytical experience testing and writing about appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products to provide cleaning and home care recommendations for GH, has authored numerous books and titles for the brand, and is a contributor to the American Cleaning Association for cooperation. production “Discover cleaning》Summit. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from Queens College, CUNY.
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