If you’re anything like us, you know the struggle: no matter how careful you are, water always seems to find its way onto the kitchen bench around the sink.
Those pesky puddles aren’t just unsightly—over time, they can lead to mould, grime, and even damage your benchtop.
But what if a simple, affordable solution could keep your sink area dry, organised, and looking sharp?
Well, thanks to a clever Aussie home hack, there is—and it’s hiding in the kitchenware aisle at IKEA.
The genius $30 IKEA colander hack
Social media user Viv has gone viral for her smart repurposing of the IKEA NORRSJÖN stainless steel colander.
Instead of using it to rinse veggies or drain pasta, Viv has turned it into a sleek, practical organiser for her dishwashing essentials.
Here’s how it works: the colander sits neatly across the sink, with its rubber edges keeping it stable and secure.
Instead of leaving your soap dispensers, sponges, and brushes on the wet benchtop (where they inevitably drip and create those dreaded puddles), you pop them in the colander.
Any excess water drips straight into the sink, not onto your bench. Simple, effective, and surprisingly stylish!
Viv says, ‘We’ve used this for the past two years! Water drips straight into the sink. No more mess!’ Its rust-resistant stainless steel construction makes it built to last—no unsightly stains or smells.
Will it fit your sink?
The NORRSJÖN colander is 42cm long and 19cm wide, designed to fit IKEA’s Vresjön sinks, but it’s likely to suit many other sinks as well. Just grab your tape measure before heading to IKEA to make sure it’ll work for your kitchen.
What do other Aussies think?
Viv’s followers are loving the hack, and many are sharing their own creative solutions. One commented, ‘I am currently using an old Blue Ribbon ice cream container inside the sink while looking for a solution.’
Another said, ‘We do the same! But the colander we have is an older plastic one from IKEA; this one looks much sturdier.’
It’s a great reminder that sometimes the best home hacks are the simplest—and that a little lateral thinking can save you time and effort daily.
Budget-friendly alternatives
If you’re not near an IKEA or want to spend a little less, Kmart offers a $3 extendable plastic colander that’s also proving popular.
It’s sturdy, holds up to 2kg, and can be adjusted to fit a range of sink sizes. One happy customer wrote, ‘For the price, this is a great alternative to the stainless steel ones. It’s very strong and I love that you can extend it.’
Some people are even using these colanders in their laundry sinks to keep soap and cleaning accessories organised and off the bench.
Other options for a dry, tidy sink
Of course, there are other ways to keep your sink area neat. Sink caddies and dry stone mats are designed to collect water under your sponges and detergent, but they don’t always stop drips from wet hands landing on the bench.
While a quick wipe with a cloth will do the trick, this chore must be repeated several times daily.
Why does it matter?
Keeping your sink area dry isn’t just about appearances. Damp, cluttered benchtops can become breeding grounds for bacteria and mould, especially in older kitchens.
Small changes like this can make a big difference for those who want to age in place and keep their homes healthy and low-maintenance.
Share your kitchen hacks!
Have you tried this IKEA colander trick, or do you have your clever solution for keeping your kitchen bench dry? Maybe you’ve found a budget-friendly alternative or swear by a different method altogether. We’d love to hear your tips and stories—share them in the comments below!
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What’s your go-to trick for keeping your kitchen sink area clean and dry? Let us know below!
Also read: Is the $8 IKEA breakfast really the cheapest meal? Australians weigh in
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