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You're probably cleaning your kitchen harder than you have to. Black Plastic Pond
When it comes to a tidy home, organizing your drawers, cabinets, and refrigerator can set your kitchen up for long-term success. Like containers and dividers, shelf liners keep your kitchen clean and functional. And we'd go so far as to say not using them is a mistake. For starters, cleaning up spilled condiments is easier with a shelf liner. Not only that, shelves, drawers, and cabinets see wear over time, including water damage from leaks and just-washed dishes. Shelf liners prevent damage before it's done. They can even spruce up the look of your kitchen, adding a pop of color or pattern.
With durability, versatility, and value in mind, we asked designer Jasmine Morgan, CEO of Adroit Interiors, for tips on finding the best shelf liners. Our list includes Morgan's recommendations as well as three that our editors have tested and recommend.
The material is flexible but durable.
Because it's perforated, spills can still reach the surface it's lining.
As our best overall pick, the Gorilla Grip Shelf Liner stands out from the rest because of its wide variety of color and size options as well as its superior grip. It’s made of a durable material that provides protection and cushioning for delicate items and features an open-grid construction that’s nonadhesive and reversible. There are more than 20 colors and patterns to choose from, so you can find one that matches your kitchen’s style.
They’ll also fit nearly any shelf or drawer size, as they come in a wide array of size options and are very easy to cut and customize. Once in place, these should last for ages. And when you’re ready to move on, swapping them out is a snap; Morgan prefers a shelf liner without adhesive, as she finds it easier to remove. To clean the liner, simply use a damp cloth with soap and warm water.
Dimensions: From 12 inches x 10 feet to 24 inches x 30 feet | Material: Vinyl
Cork has a natural grip, and it resists mold and mildew.
Made from cork trees that continue to grow and thrive after harvest, this cork liner is an eco-friendly alternative to standard plastic options. The material is naturally absorbent but is resistant to mildew and mold, so it’s a solid choice in kitchens. It can be removed to be cleaned if it’s placed in high-use areas, and it will look the same as you placed it for a long time to come.
Because it's rolled up, this liner will have a natural curve until it's weighed down. One editor who uses this liner at home stuck it to her kitchen drawers with double-sided tape to keep it from lifting. It hasn't buckled or shifted, and the natural grip of the cork helps to keep kitchen tools, boxes of tea, and spice jars relatively in place when she opens and closes the drawers. While the cork was easy to cut, it can crack, as our editor found when she tried to place a too-large piece in a drawer. To prevent cracks, measure the cork first to be sure that each piece can lay flat in the drawer. Dimensions: 17.5 inches x 12 feet | Material: Cork
Food & Wine / Mary Claire Lagroue
It's easy to clean, including in the washing machine.
The liner can slide when you move heavier objects, such as dishes.
Thanks to this shelf liner’s durability and affordability, you can add a layer to every cabinet in your kitchen regardless of the type of product you’re storing. The material has a grip to it, so you can easily arrange your favorite ceramic dinnerware and drinking glasses on your shelves. Morgan finds liners like this one ideal for those who don’t have the patience for adhesive ones. Because it's machine washable, it's safe to use on shelves or in drawers where the contents may spill, which is unusual for this product category. One editor who has used this liner for two years vouches for its durability.
Dimensions: 12 inches x 20 feet | Material: Vinyl
Sturdy polypropylene will catch any type of spill.
Because it's cut to fit shelves specifically, it's less versatile than other options.
Wire shelves can look lovely, but it’s impossible to store small things on them without adding liners, as you risk them slipping through. With scalloped corners to conform perfectly to the shape of wire shelving, you won’t have to worry about anything falling off once you install these liners. And speaking of installation, it’s a super-quick process given that these are already sized to fit assorted wire shelves. From 14 x 24 to 24 x 48 inches, even the largest wire shelves can be fully covered and protected with this heavy-duty liner option.
Dimensions: From 14 x 24 inches to 24 x 48 inches | Material: Polypropylene
This liner is designed to keep produce fresh longer.
It's sold as two large sheets that you can cut to fit your fridge, but you may not be able to repurpose the scraps.
Reducing household food waste saves money and is good for the environment; these BPA-free, food-safe shelf liners enable you to do that on an ongoing basis. They work by trapping ethylene gas, which naturally emanates from produce as it sits, increasing the airflow underneath the fruits and vegetables. The material is infused with zeolite, a natural clay-like material, and should be washed occasionally for optimal longevity. You can trim them down to fit any size refrigerator drawer, and they can also be used on shelves to help with any spills that might occur. Plus, they're easy to wipe clean.
Dimensions: 17.7 x 11.4 inches | Material: Plastic and zeolite
It's a great value for covering large surfaces, and it's not so sticky that removing it is difficult.
Air bubbles can form under the adhesive side.
For the strongest grip, we recommend adhesive-lined contact paper. One of our editors lined her kitchen with this fun terrazzo print paper two years ago, and it's held up very well. The material is easy to cut with measurements printed on the back, so you can make it fit in every corner of the pantry. You can wipe it down with a damp cloth, which means it’s a great choice for shelves that might accumulate crumbs from crunch snacks or spills from oils and syrups.
Dimensions: 60 x 12 inches | Material: Not listed
The Gorilla Grip Drawer and Shelf Liner is thick, easy to clean, and comes in a large span of colors. It’s easily customizable in size and made to last. We also appreciate the eco-friendly nature of the Hold Everything Cork Drawer Liner from Williams Sonoma, which is made from sustainably harvested cork trees.
Most shelf liners are some version of plastic. Since you want them to last a long time, that’s not a bad thing. It’s a simple material to cut for liners that allow you to do that, and the color vibrancy is unlikely to fade unless an open shelf gets a lot of sunlight. Cork is another option, which has a very different appearance and texture than plastic. It’s a great option for those who value eco-friendly materials and have earthy tones in their space.
All of our top picks lack adhesive, though one does have bonding to resist ever moving at all. Adhesive material will require much more work to remove, and we love that some of the nonadhesive options are even machine washable. You’ll want to choose a shelf liner that offers sticking power, but it doesn’t need to have actual adhesive on it to do that.
Most shelf liners come on a roll and can be cut to size. The biggest area of concern is making sure that the width is suitable for your surface. If it’s too narrow or too wide, a lot of cutting will be involved. We recommend measuring the depth of your cabinets, drawers, and shelves prior to choosing a liner to prevent more work when it’s time to install.
If your shelf is visible, you’ll want to choose a liner that you enjoy the appearance of since you’ll see it regularly. For wire shelves, you’ll need a different material than for drawers. It needs to be thicker and firmer in order to stay in place along the wire structure.
They aren’t necessary, but they’re very useful. Morgan says shelf liners help to “avoid damage to expensive surfaces, like kitchen cabinets and wood shelves, by creating a slick surface for items to easily be placed on.” She also says that “some liners are also made to protect areas from water damage,” such as under the sink.
Technically, contact paper has an adhesive on one side so that you can easily stick it to shelves or other surfaces (including walls, furniture, and even countertops). Shelf liners don't have an adhesive side, though they may have a grippy texture to keep them in place. To keep a shelf liner in place, you can use an adhesive like double-sided tape.
Nearly all can be spot-cleaned with a damp cloth. “Most shelf liners are specifically made to have a glossy wipeable finish, so you can easily clean them," says Morgan.
For liners without adhesive, all you have to do is lift it up. For ones with adhesive, Morgan says that “it’s possible to remove shelf liners that have some sort of adhesive on the back by pulling up one corner and slowly pulling it up and using Goo Gone or vinegar for any areas that are particularly sticky.”
Impermeable Membrane Contributor Ariane Resnick is a special diet chef, certified nutritionist, and bestselling author who loves a home to be as clean and organized as possible. To determine the best shelf liners on the market, she consulted with Jasmine Morgan, CEO, lead organizer, and designer for Adroit Interiors.