Kitchen Tip: Draining Board

The draining board! AHH! It has been a source of frustration for me. It sure does accumulate with all sorts of hand washable kitchen items and never ceases to be pilled with stuff! Once I clear it off, another pile fills up. Keeping the draining board cleared greatly improves the appearance of your kitchen, I have realized. When dishes are pilled high in this one area of the kitchen, even if everything else is cleared, my entire kitchen looks a mess. I have never had a drying rack, but have always used a towel, as racks seem to accumulate mold, and do not look attractive at all.

I know that air drying your dishes is supposedly better for you, but when they sit there for a day, they are also accumulating dust and dirt!

This week I have set a goal for myself to keep this cleared off, if all possible. When I wash the dishes after the meal, I am going to just dry the dish immediately after washing and put it away. Do away with the draining board all together! I am often just plan lazy!

Check out Tammy’s Recipes for more kitchen tips!

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This post was written by Lindsay who has written 769 posts on Passionate Homemaking.

8 Responses to “Kitchen Tip: Draining Board”

  1. Kika Jun 24, 2009 at 4:01 pm #

    Honestly, I’ve never had mold or anything grow on my dish rack. It mostly is used for pots and stainless steel water bottles, etc. (Dishwasher is used for everything else). Periodically I give it a spray with my all-purpose cleaning solution(vinegar, water, tea tree oil), let it sit for a few minutes and wash off. Years ago I used a towel too but prefer my drainer.

  2. Aletha K Feb 25, 2009 at 11:54 am #

    Good morning my dear friends! I’ve found you! I can hardly believe it, but my Bosch Mixer motor is dying. It’s only lasted a few decades of daily use. Argh… :-) My hubby has found that he can likely purchase a replacement base. Isn’t that amazing? But, I thought before we did that, I’d ask all of you if there is anything new/better on the market. I can’t imagine a heftier workhorse but I haven’t been in the market since my 30 year old was born!!! Please let me know if you have recently researched. Love to you all. Aletha K

    • Lindsay Feb 25, 2009 at 2:00 pm #

      Hello Aletha! I love hearing how your bosch mixer has lasted you so long! That is awesome. I honestly do not know of any other product that is superior to it. The Bosch ranks the highest in my opinion! Thanks for stopping by!

  3. Mrs. T Dec 21, 2007 at 8:07 pm #

    Thanks for the tip :) I don’t have a drying rack either for the same reason. :) I usually just put a towel down, wash/rinse/ and place on the towel, then finish drying them with a towel and put them away. We do have a dishwasher, so I don’t need to do this often thankfully :) Dishes are my least favorite chore!

    If you have a range electric stove, another thing that can make your kitchen look clean and tidy are burner covers :) I love mine, and I got them on eBay for a couple of bucks including shipping :)

  4. Lindsay Edmonds Dec 19, 2007 at 7:52 am #

    Samara, I don’t have a dish rack either for that same reason. It does make it significantly easier to put things away as you use them in your kitchen (spices return to their place, dishes get put in the dishwasher, etc). This is an important habit to develop! I started yesterday just drying the dish immediately after washing it and eliminating the draining board all together. It worked surprisingly well.

  5. Samara Root Dec 19, 2007 at 7:45 am #

    Hi Lindsay,

    I intentionally did not buy a dish rack. I put a towel down on the counter and put the rinsed dishes onto it, then I (try) to immediately dry them/put them away. Besides, I can’t stand dish racks! Unless you are meticulous they are always accumulating mold and gross scum on them :-( . I like the “Fly Lady’s” way of doing dishes, if you keep them going throughout the day, or as you cook, they don’t pile up nearly so much.

  6. Jane Dec 18, 2007 at 8:28 pm #

    I try to wash and dry too. I LOVE a completly clean kitchen. (It will get easier when your little one is older. My girls and I can get it done in no time flat!)

    Thanks for the tip. I like your site – I will visit again.

    Blessings,
    ~Jane

  7. Anonymous Dec 18, 2007 at 3:33 pm #

    I know what you mean! I hate having dirty dishes piled up. My goal every night is to have a COMPLETELY clean kitchen.

    Amy @ http://hopeistheword.wordpress.com/2007/12/18/kitchen-tip-tuesday-salt-dough-ornaments/

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