There are some things you just shouldn’t push in the dishwasher.
Cast iron cookware and non-stick pots and pans are a big no-no. Antique china and handpainted pottery should be left out too. And unless you’ve got an endless pot of cash to replace delicate glassware, you should keep your crystal out of the dishwasher too.
Handwashing may feel as ancient a way of doing a household chore as heating irons on a fire to ease out wrinkled clothing, but the old-fashioned way is often the best when you’re dealing with delicate crockery, cutlery and china.
The problem is that modern kitchens (rightly) allocate more space to worktops and sections for cooking tasks, rather than dish-drying real estate. While the sink’s draining board may adequately hold a drying rack, there’s not much room for anything else. It means that if you’re having a big party, washing fragile glassware has to be done in segments, prolonging the job at hand.
Yet there is a relatively easy way to increase your sink-side space: a dish drying mat.
Perfectly named, this mat creates an additional temporary space for glasses and cups, allowing you to get the chore of washing up done in one go.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to extend your draining board, we’ve rounded up the best drying mats to shop now.
See the selection below
Joseph Joseph Extending Draining Mat
Joseph Joseph is pretty much as culty as a homewares brand can get. The label is known for chic designs that bring organisation and calm to usually busy rooms like the bathroom and the kitchen, usually with a nifty design feature that sets it apart from the competition.
So, it’s no surprise that while it has a drying rack, it comes with a helpful little extra. This extendable mat not only offers temporary draining space, but one that can grow according to how many dirty dishes and glasses you’re dealing with. Once you’re done, collapse the flat surfaces and drain any excess water down the spout.
Buy now £20.00, John Lewis
Diamond Dish Drying Mat For Glasses and Cups - Black
Made from highly absorbent and quick-drying microfibre, this mat helps to stop overcrowding on the drying rack. Simply unfurl it beside the sink and give your precious glassware somewhere to dry off. The product is machine washable and comes with a three-year guarantee.
Buy now £6.99, Lakeland
NeuWook Draining Mat
We're not sure why so many draining mats are coloured grey; one of the smaller mysteries of life. For those who prefer a little more liveliness in their homewares, this tile-effect mat is just the ticket. Designed on a blue palette and with a large 40 x 50cm surface area, it can be used to dry extra washing up or as a heat protector when serving oven-fresh dishes.
Buy now £14.99, Amazon
Brabantia Sinkside Dark Grey Microfibre Dish Drying Mat
The non-slip nature of this drying mat makes it perfect for worktops: it will give crockery somewhere to air dry without worrying that something delicate or expensive will tumble off.
Buy now £8.00, Dunelm
Brabantia Sinkside Light Grey Silicone Dish Drying Mat
Don’t like the idea of damp cloths cluttering up your kitchen worktops? Brabantia also offers this silicone mat with a non-slip finishing. It’s ideal for in-between washing jobs when you haven’t got quite enough dirty plates and cutlery to justify running the dishwasher. Comes with a two-year guarantee.
Buy now £20.00, Dunelm
ProCook Silicone Draining Mat
With a herringbone pattern to help water drain away from freshly washed dishes and cutlery, this mat is as stylish as it is effective. The soft silicone 42 x 33cm mat is easy to keep clean and will protect countertops from scratches and water stains.
Buy now £12.00, ProCook
Microfibre Dish Drying Mats
This twin pack of drying mats will be a lifesaver for overspill washing up. The lightly padded designs can soak up up to four times its weight in water and is easy to keep clean once it starts to get a bit grubby - just sling it in the washing machine. The almost square - 40 x 46cm - designs are easy to fold, so you can keep them stored in a drawer until you need it.
Buy now £14.99, Amazon
