What Is Over Sink Dish Rack & How To Remove Rust From It?

While it is true that most rooms in your home are customizable, you’d be surprised at just how much you can play with and tweak when it comes to the overall aesthetics of your kitchen. And while there are a number of ways you can change your kitchen, many of them can be fairly expensive – if not outright cost-prohibitive.

One of the simpler ways you can change your kitchen is by including an over sink dish rack. Not only are they fairly inexpensive to own, but they also add a more homely appearance, giving your kitchen a slightly more traditional look.

In this article, we’ll go over several amazing dish racks that can really add personality to your home and kitchen. Not only that, but – because dish racks can accrue rust and dirt over time – we will also include different methods you can use to keep your dish rack clean and rust-free.

What is an Over Sink Dish Rack?

Because of a lack of space as well as an interest in different aesthetic choices, dish drying racks have come a long way from the simple rack placed next to the sink. Now, over sink dish racks have become a fun way to add personality to your kitchen while retaining the functionality of a regular dish drying rack.

Overall, an over sink dish rack functions the same as a standard dish rack in that it is used to place freshly washed dishes so that they can air dry. The biggest difference between them and the standard dish rack primarily comes by way of the fact that the over sink options are generally more expressive and offered in a variety of different looks and appearances. They are a great way for saving space in a smaller kitchen while also, due to their varied appearances, being able to change the look of a kitchen when installed.

Over sink dish racks are generally very affordable, with most never costing more than $100. As a result, smaller homes that do not have a dishwasher or a large amount of counter space may opt to invest in an over sink dish rack.

Top 3 Best Over Sink Dish Racks

• Sorbus Over-The-Sink Dish Drying Display Rack Stand

An incredibly user-friendly option that has a space for every dish, the Sorbus OTS drainer is equally as spacious as it is durable. It is also fairly close to the sink’s level, meaning most people dish washing won’t have to struggle in order to set the dishes.

The dish rack has an area for the knives, forks, and spoons while also having a “hanging” area for larger spoons as well as cutting boards. The rack also has a separate area for cleaning supplies like dish soap and sponges, meaning you never have to wonder where your cleaning materials are.

While there are certainly other great options on this list, the Sorbus has virtually everything you need, making it a near essential for most OTS owners.

• Geanli Dish Drying Rack

The Geanli Dish Drying Rack has many of the former rack’s strong points, not quite as nice as the Sorbus. It doubles the size of the sink and allows you a place to put every one of your dishes, ranging from silverware to plates and bowls to even your large spoons and cutting board. The Geanli is also quite durable and is noted for being double layered and rustproof.

The one downside to the Geanli is that it is somewhat tall. This means that some individuals may need additional assistance in order to put dishes on top of the sink. If you are a taller family or willing to use a stool, this is a great option for most people.

• Seropy Roll-Up Dish Rack

A smaller option when compared to the others on this list, the Seropy is great for those that don’t want too large of a dish rack. Instead of holding numerous items over the sink, the Seropy instead sits right above the sink tub itself and can hold a small number of dishes.

While not as large as the other options, it is mobile and able to be moved at any time. It is made with 304 stainless steel and is very durable despite its small size. It is anti-slip, waterproof, and resistant to rust.

How to Remove Rust From Dish Rack

Over Sink Dish Racks, while very useful for smaller spaces, can run into potential challenges – namely, dealing with rust. Depending on the level of quality of the dish rack, it may or may not be rust-resistant. And while more and more of the newer dish racks are resistant, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are immune, nor does it mean rust can never show up.

Thankfully, removing rust from your rack isn’t a particularly daunting or difficult task and can be done relatively easily. Here are some surefire tips to show you how to clean rust from stainless steel dish racks using common household items.

#1. Lemon Juice & Baking Soda

If you’ve ever wanted to know how to remove rust from dish racks, lemon juice is one of the easiest and most accessible methods by far. Simply take equal amounts of lemon juice and baking soda to make a paste. It is important that the amounts be equal. This means that if you are using three tablespoons of lemon juice, you must also use three tablespoons of baking soda.

Mix the two ingredients until you have a paste-like substance. From there, apply the paste mixture onto the rusted area and leave for around 30 minutes.

After letting sit, use a brush or sponge pad to scrub off the rust before rinsing with water.

#2. Baking Soda

If you don’t have any lemon juice, baking soda on its own is just as good. Simply fill your sink with water and add half a tablespoon of baking soda. Then, let the rusted area soak for around 20 minutes.

After allowing it to soak, drain the water before washing the over sink thoroughly. This will remove the rust all on its own.

#3. Vinegar

If you don’t have either baking soda or lemon juice, don’t fret! There’s still a way for you to resolve the issue.

Follow the same steps as earlier with the baking soda and fill up the sink with water. From there, rather than using baking soda, you’re going to use a vinegar solution. Pour 1 cup of white vinegar into the water. Then, let the rusted dish rack soak in the mixture for around 20 minutes. When you pull the dish rack out of the mixture, the rust should be gone or loosened.

Regardless, wash the dish rack thoroughly before rinsing off with water. This will remove any residual rust as well as the vinegar smell from the rack.

Conclusion

Over the sink dish racks are great additions to a home. They are often aesthetically pleasing and usually will not take up an inordinate amount of space. That said, they are not perfect.

Because they are used to holding wet dishes, they can easily hold excess water, resulting in potential mildew and rust.

Once every week, inspect your dish rack and a cloth and dry any wet spots. This will reduce the chances of water buildup and keep your dish rack clean and rust-free.