18 In. x 24 In. Dish Drying Mat, Absorbent Microfiber Kitchen Counter Mat, Dish Drying Pad for Dishes, Utensils, Pots and Pans, Grey

Although I have a dishwasher, as a single man I rarely find the need to use it save for those occasions when I'm entertaining friends for dinner. Besides, I find that there's something very satisfying about washing my own dishes. It's a humble activity that, for me, provides immediate gratification. I have tried, many times, to teach my cat how to wash the dishes but she steadfastly refuses, always grumbling under her breath something about "union rules" as she walks away (this is what happens when you live alone for too long - but I digress...).In addition to this item I have also purchased here on Amazon a couple of color-coordinated magnetic hooks which I use to hang this mat on the front of my rarely-used dishwasher when it's time to dry it out.I wound up liking this item so much that I bought a second one so that I'd always have a dry one in the ready while the other one was drying out. And, of course, I bought a second set of color-coordinated magnets for the second one too which I hang on the front of my fridge (I am, if nothing else, consistent in my methodology).I've washed them in the washing machine by themselves and they always come out nice and clean, like new. But I also always allow them to air dry which I hope will make them last longer by not exposing them to the heat of a dryer.A couple of helpful tips:#1 First and foremost - these are not meant to be used as trivets. Putting a hot pot (or any other hot item) on one of these will achieve three things: a) you'll ruin the drying mat, b) you'll probably ruin the pot as well and c) you'll be contacting Ripley's "Believe-It-Or-Not" to enter yourself as a contender for 1st place in the category of 'the most expletives spoken by one person in a sixty second interval' (BTW, I'm the record holder, 15 years running). So to sum up: wet dishes...good. Hot pots (or hot anything)...bad....VERY BAD!Second helpful tip:I find it's very helpful to 'bow' these when I have them hanging to dry (i.e. I cause them to bow outward by pushing the magnetic clips closer together when I hang them - see photos). This allows for better air circulation on the back side of these which allows them to dry more quickly. I found that doing this also helps prevent any mold or mildew from taking hold in the waffle weave that is on the underside of these mats - which is exactly what I found would happen whenever I'd leave them to dry on the counter. These do come with a small sewn-in loop to hang them on a hook but I found my method for drying them (i.e. using the magnets and bowing them outward) to be more effective all around.#3 Using these waffle-side up is also a great way to air dry any hand-washed or delicate item of clothing that you don't want to put in the dryer (suddenly I feel like the poster child for this product...maybe I should be getting a commission?!).I would definitely recommend these to anyone who, like me, either likes to wash dishes or has to do so because they are the only dishwasher in the house - be it mechanical, human or feline.I hope this helps.P.S. I'd love to hear from anyone out there that may have a spare copy of the handbook of rules for the alleged "Feline Local 1105" union. I'd like nothing better than to prove to my cat that, contrary to what she claims, there's absolutely nothing in there that prohibits members from washing dishes. God, there's nothing worse than legalistic cat. Geesh....

I love the product but the color wasn't close to the picture. I ordered grey but it looks like the silver picture

I needed a mat that would not leave the kitchen board wet ! This one does the job perfectly !

Great mat but it’s huge!

Under dish tray

Absorbs the water that come from my dishes but always seems to remain wet hours after the dishes have dried.

JUST WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR

We use it for absorbing water and food under dogs food station!