Q: My husband and I are buying our first home. I'm slowly packing up less-used kitchen items to put a dent in the packing. Do you have any suggestions for eco-friendly shelf liner? I grew up with my mother using contact paper. My mother-in-law uses the contact no-slip-but-not-sticky liner in her cupboards. I could use old tea towels, but I'd like to use something that will stay put for the most part.
Sent by Rachel
Editor: Rachel, we might recommend a cork liner. We know of a few options: there's a Williams-Sonoma Cork Liner for $20. Target also sells a Natural Adhesive Cork Shelf Liner for $10, and Contact even has a non-sticky version for $8.50.
Any other suggestions?
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I've never used shelf liner. What's the purpose? To keep glasses from sliding?
what about simple old news paper with the rim folded to suit the space we were using it in
I have to agree with leanneabe. Why use shelf paper? If your dishes are clean and dry when you store them the shelf will be fine.
I've used left over white poster board to line my shelves. It's really thick and sturdy, especially helpful for my cabinets where I keep my spices and sauces to prevent stains, pots and pans to prevents scuffs on the cabinet, and under the sink for household cleaner/supplies.
I don't line my shelves where I keep dishes or glassware.
I don't use shelf paper, never have. My In-laws tried to get me to use it with "but your shelves will get dirty", my reply so I'll wash my shelves when they get grungy. Two or three time a year I take everything off & give them a good old fashioned scrubbing, I also discover items I haven't used so it serves two purposes.
A non-shelf paper user here too.
This post and its comments made me laugh a little. My mother is a shelf-lining queen and has always "helped" me move into new apartments and houses, but lining all flat storage surfaces---and I do mean every drawer and solid shelf in the bathrooms and kitchens. While it is bit OCD, I never really questioned this "norm" until I mentioned it to a coworker who was moving. She listened in bewilderment only to reply that there must "be those who line shelfs and those who don't." I never asked nor really wanted to know what she meant by that! Still looking for the best shelf liner, though,--- I guess I am a committed liner too. :)