This $15 Storage Caddy Solved One of My Kitchen’s Most Annoying Problems

After years of not-so-great apartments, I finally found one that I can’t complain too much about. Most of the issues I do have all relate to the kitchen. Picture a tiny kitchen, and there’s a high likelihood that mine is smaller than that. As you might expect, there’s no dishwasher — which has been a rough adjustment. Every other apartment I’ve ever rented had one.

I’ve found some new tools that make the cleaning process easier — like this smart dish wand that dispenses soap from its handle — but I quickly realized that I had no good place to store it all. So, when I spotted a storage caddy on Amazon’s bestseller list, I immediately added it to my cart. Instead of laying my sponges and brushes sitting on my counter to air out, I can keep them all organized, and all of the excess water drains right into my sink instead of pooling on my countertop.

This stainless steel sink caddy is designed to corral your sponge, brushes, and dish soap, keeping it all contained while draining away any excess water with the built-in drip tray and spout. Measuring about 9 inches long, 4 inches deep, and 6 inches tall, it works in small kitchens, on a cramped countertop, or with a sink that’s in an odd spot. (In my case, for instance, my sink is shoved in a corner at an angle.)

In addition to its size, this caddy’s versatility also lies in that you can arrange it in a few different ways. The spout rotates in three directions, and the dividers between the three sections are adjustable. One section is higher than the others for large brushes, and in the others, you can place a dish soap bottle, sponge, and drain strainer. Finally, you can match it to your kitchen’s color scheme because it comes in nine colors, ranging from white to pink to silver.

As harsh as it sounds, the area around my sink was a disaster. First, my brushes shared a caddy with my cooking utensils. I couldn’t help but think it wasn’t sanitary. (Sponges need replacing often for a reason; they’re a breeding ground for bacteria. Brushes are more hygienic because they shed water faster, but still need regular disinfecting.)

As for my sponge, it sat in a little dish on my countertop, which didn’t allow it to dry it out quickly. Second, the visual clutter got on my nerves. My sponges and dish soap were scattered around my counter instead of being confined to one place. In a small kitchen like mine, that’s all it takes for it to look messy.

I’m happy to report that this caddy solved all of my problems. Now that all of my dishwashing tools are separate, I don’t have to worry about my utensil caddy getting gross — or having water drip anywhere besides my sink. The spout works exactly as advertised. I generally try to avoid putting soaking wet brushes in there, but even when I have, it goes into the drip tray and out into my sink without fail. I haven’t noticed any lingering pools of water yet, but since the compartments are all open and slightly elevated, everything has the ability to air-dry. 

I was also worried about where the caddy would fit in my kitchen with its weird sink layout, but the adjustable spout ensured that wouldn’t be a problem. So far, I haven’t seen any signs of instability, either. Rubber feet would be a nice addition, but it doesn’t wobble when I reach for my sponge or brush and pull it out of the container.

I’m debating removing a divider so that my hand soap fits, too. That way, all of my sink essentials would be neat and tidy — a huge step up from what I had going on before. This caddy is worth its full price for how efficiently it shut down my kitchen’s most annoying problems, but while it’s on sale? It’s a no-brainer.

Buy: Cisily Black Sponge Holder Sink Caddy, $14.99 with coupon (normally $24.99)