Norpro Microfiber Dish Drying Mat

Pros: microfiber mat quickly dries, highly absorbent, hanging loop on back
Cons: minor con – cushioned mat can “dent” from legs of a dish drying rack
I visited my brother around the holidays and noticed my sister-in-law had a cloth mat under her sink-side dish drainer.  I was looking for something to replace the plastic drip catcher under my vinyl-coated wire dish rack, and the microfiber mat seemed like a sleek, low-profile solution.  That is how I came to purchase the Norpro Microfiber Dish Drying Mat.
Description
I bought the Norpro Microfiber Dish Drying Mat from Amazon.com.  Two medium-gray 16”x18” mats came bundled together for a low price.  This cushioned mat is neatly bound on all four sides and has a loop on the back for hanging.  The mat is designed to hold up to four-times its weight in water, and also wicks moisture that touches the mat from the countertop.  It is designed to place on a countertop either beneath a dish drainer, or washed dishes can be set directly on the mat.  Mat color choices include: gray, cream, or black.  It is machine washable.
My Experiences
Even though I have a dishwashing machine, I hand wash an assortment of dishes, pots, pans and flatware.  A small dish drying rack rests beside the sink.  The rack came with a hard plastic tray to catch drips and to funnel excess water into the sink.  However, the plastic tray liked to slide on the counter.  The tray often slid into the sink, and I feared broken dishes or dented pans.  It was fast becoming an annoyance.
I was impressed with the microfiber mat in my sister-in-law’s kitchen.  I loved the idea of a super-absorbent mat that did not skid.  And for the Amazon.com price, I received two of the same mat so that I had an extra one when needed.  Another nice feature is that this microfiber mat is flexible and can either be rolled up or folded for storage.
This mat does a great job at catching dish drips.  The top has an attractive texture that reminds me of a tight weave.  I’m also pleased with how quickly the mat dries.  At first I thought I would have to lift the mat off the counter to set atop the dish rack to completely dry, but it has not been necessary.  I like that the mat has a loop on the back; the loop tucks out of sight but is available should you wish to hang the mat.
The Norpro mat is well cushioned, too.  If I want, I can set pots and pans directly on the mat for drying, which comes in handy for larger items that need washing and then air drying.  The medium-gray color coordinates well with my kitchen decor, too.  The mat still looks like new.
If needed the Norpro Microfiber Dish Drying Mat can be washed in a machine using cold water and then dried at a low temperature in the dryer.  I have not had to do this.
Summary
The Norpro Microfiber Dish Drying Mat is a terrific buy.  The mat is well-constructed, too.  I’ve been using this product for about three months and love it.  The mat quickly dries, and my kitchen area actually looks better with the mat on the counter beneath the dish rack rather than the old-fashioned plastic tray.  It’s a winner!
Enjoy the day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Copyright 2015 Dawn L. Stewart