Look, I know my kitchen sponge is gross (a 2017 study found 362 different species of bacteria living on 14 sponges). That’s why the Umbra Sling sink caddy is possibly the most exciting kitchen gadget I’ve purchased in this calendar year. To me it’s more than a handy and aesthetically pleasing kitchen sink sponge holder (although it is definitely that too). It’s the solution to frankly years of my life spent with damp, mildewy sponges—and a damp, mildewy spot on my sink’s stainless steel countertop, at that. The Umbra Sling sink caddy is by no means a cure-all for every single sponge-related woe, but it does make me feel a little better about using mine as much as I do—and, given that it’s garnered more than 1,400 five-star customer reviews on Amazon, it’s safe to say I’m not the only fan.
How the Umbra Sling Sink Caddy Works
Made of nonslip silicone, the Umbra Sling flexible sink caddy consists of a slightly scooped dish with a perforated base and a loop that fits over most faucet necks. It hangs down against the back sink wall and is large enough to hold one kitchen sponge. Since it hangs in midair, and has a base that enables thorough drainage, it acts kind of like a drying rack for your sponge. Plus, unlike other sink accessories, it doesn’t rely on a suction cup to stay up, so you don’t have to worry about knocking it down while doing dishes. It’s also very easy to clean—just rinse it with soapy water every so often then let it dry.
Why the Umbra Sling is a Game-Changer
Prior to using the Sling, I had a kitchen sponge holder that was basically designed for moisture buildup: It was a dish that was supposed to drain water into a lower connected compartment, but it didn’t allow enough airflow for the sponge to actually dry. Instead, my sponge would stay damp for hours, even overnight—which is not great if you want an even somewhat sanitary sponge. As SELF has previously reported, kitchen sponges and dish rags make excellent breeding grounds for bacteria, especially if they’re moist. Switching to the Sling meant waking up to an actually dry sponge, thanks to the generous cutouts along its base. I still disinfect my sponges and replace them with new ones regularly, but the Sling at least helps extend their lifetime.
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If I had to name one drawback about the Umbra Sling, I only wish it was larger—or expandable—so it could hold my skillet scrubber too. (Luckily, Umbra has plenty of dish racks, scrubbing brush holders, and other kitchen sink organizers and dividers to try.) If you feel like you’re disinfecting and throwing out sponges at an alarming rate (or just want a sink accessory that’s actually kind of cute in a minimalist way), I highly recommend the Umbra Sling sink caddy for all your sponge-holding and drying needs.
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Source: SELF
