This Simple Hack Transformed My Kitchen Counter—and It’s Under $10

I’ll be the first to tell you that organization and keeping tidy are not my strong suits. The second people to tell you that would be my parents. In fact, when I moved into my new apartment, my mom drafted up a cleaning schedule and pinned it to my fridge. Message received. 

While I have improved my overall tidiness around the apartment (thanks to little hacks like cable ties, bathroom cubbies, and drawer organizers), one area that remains chaotic is my kitchen counter. Half of it has become a drop-zone of sorts, where I put mail, keys, winter mittens, snacks, and other assorted knick-knacks. The other half is occupied by drying pots and pans, various soap bottles, and a cereal bowl in the sink because I still need to unload the dishwasher. 

And yet, with all that clutter, one item is more frustrating than all the rest: the kitchen sponge. I can’t count all the times I've mindlessly tossed it back onto the sinktop after scrubbing a frying pan, only to accidentally soak unopened mail with the run-off. 

The solution, of course, came from my parents. I visited them recently and enjoyed making several meals together in their nice, spacious, tidy kitchen. After lunch I offered to clean the dishes and noticed a kitchen sponge sitting in a little metal holder suction-cupped to the inside of the deep sink. It’s such a simple thing—just a stainless steel rack—but simplicity done well is a game changer. 

Toplife Stainless Steel Sponge Holder for Kitchen Sink

$9 at Amazon

This kitchen sponge holder has a lot going for it, despite the plain appearance. Obviously, it provides a dedicated spot for your kitchen sponge, but the whole thing is hidden down in the sink, leaving your countertop clear and open (or at least for me, more than it was before). Perhaps my favorite thing about the holder is that it allows the sponge to drip dry right into the sink. No puddle on the sink, no sitting in its own dirty sponge water, no accruing musty smells. As a bonus, this will help extend the life of your sponge. 

The alloy steel bars are rust-resistant, so no need to worry about resting a damp sponge on them. I did notice that the suction cups on my parents’ holder had yellowed with age, which was a little unsightly, but luckily when I ordered my own sponge holder, the set came with two pairs of suction cups. 

The cups were easy enough to insert into the metal frame, and with a small dab of water, stuck right onto the side of the sink. It’s a strong bond, too. I tugged on the holder and it didn’t even slip, though the cups come up easily if you slide a nail behind the seal.

I know it seems a bit silly, but this one little sponge holder did encourage me to tidy up my kitchen and put items in their proper place. A small, simple device made a big difference in my cleaning routine. 

Other Sponge Holders to Consider

I’d definitely recommend this Toplife model to anyone, but believe it or not, there are a lot of different kinds of sponge holders out there with different functions or aesthetics. Here are a few more to consider:

Oxo Good Grips Stronghold Suction Sponge Holder

$12 at Amazon $12 at Oxo $12 at Lowe's

Suction can be a little flimsy at times, or tricky to set up. Not so with the Oxo Stronghold Suction Sponge Holder. This holder has a lever-activated suction cup that takes the hassle out of set-up. If it does happen to come loose over time, many reviewers said that it’s simple to reattach. 

The plastic caddy is perforated with holes so water will drain right through. If the basket happens to get dirty (think dried soap scum or sauces from last night’s dinner), don’t worry—it’s dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. Additionally, the caddy is removable in case you need to wash something larger in the sink. It can also hold bars of soap, long-handled brushes, or a drain stopper. All that said, it is recommended for stainless steel sinks, not anything textured or porous, as the suction cups won’t stick.

S&T Inc. Soap Pump Dispenser and Sponge Holder

$13 $8 at Amazon $17 at Walmart

If space around your sink is limited, why not combine the essentials? This sponge holder doubles as a 13-ounce soap dispenser. Press down on the sponge, and it will be infused with your favorite cleaning soap, ready to tackle some dirty dishes. The non-slip feet on the bottom of the dispenser keep the entire thing steady and still on the countertop while you use it. When you need to refill, just pop the top off and pour right into the large opening.

Standard rectangular-shaped sponges are ideal for this holder since the shallow dish on top is the same shape. Oversized or irregularly shaped sponges (such as the popular Scrub Daddy smiley face sponge) might not fit as well. The device is available in five modern colors—gray, matte black, matte white, metallic gray, and silver—so you can find the one that matches your kitchen decor or personal style. 

Simplehuman Sink Caddy with Suction Cup

$25 at Amazon $25 at Wayfair View on Simplehuman.com

This sleek caddy can hold much more than just a single sponge. There are three main sections: two thin slots (ideal for another sponge, drain stopper, or other slim kitchen tool) and a circular brush holder with an extendable bottom. Each section has ventilation holes for water draining, so things will dry quickly. The simplehuman Sink Caddy Sponge Holder has over 27,000 glowing reviews on Amazon, praising the device’s quality, spaciousness, sleek appearance, and adjustable height.

In addition to suction cups on the back, the caddy also has a metallic hook, allowing it to hang inside the sink. Both points of contact keep it steadily in place, another thing the reviewers admired. If this version of the caddy seems a little too big for your kitchen sink, there is a slim version available that removes the extendable brush holder. 

MicoYang Silicone Sponge Holder with Drain Spout

$8 $7 at Amazon

The problem with most dish-style holders is that they collect dirty water in the bottom, and then the sponge or bar of soap just sits in it. This handy little silicone dish has improved the outdated design. Not only does it have a little spout that funnels water directly into the sink, the raised ridges on the bottom keep the sponge or soap bar elevated so it’s not soaking up the drainage. 

It comes in a vast array of colors, from an understated modern gray to a neon-bright rose pink, and every shade in between. There are also three sizes available, ranging from a small 5-inch length to 12 inches long. Given the modest price point of the holder, you may want to order a few: one for the kitchen sponge, one for a bar of soap in the bathroom, and maybe even one for a razor or body wash bottle in the shower. 

Why Take Our Word For It?

Allison Wignall has collected a number of cleaning and organization hacks over the years, learning from family and from her experience as a kitchen product reviewer and writer. Her work has been featured in publications including Food & Wine, the Spruce Eats, Southern Living, and more.