The “Stylish” $10 Gem My Mom Swears By for Keeping Bathroom Counters Dry

If you know me, you know I can be uptight when it comes to keeping a clean home — and that’s definitely something I get from my mom. As a kid, I used to joke that my family lived in a museum because it often felt like I couldn’t touch or disturb anything. If grease stains were left on the stove or a smattering of sauce got on the dining table, it was to be wiped up immediately.

When I visited my parents for the winter holidays, my old resentment of these rules bubbled up every once in a while, but other times I found myself admiring the little things my mom does to keep the home tidy. One of the details that caught my eye were these little white stones she keeps around the house. They’re water-absorbing dishes made of a stone material that she got from Amazon. After seeing how effectively they work, I’m tempted to buy my own set.

The dishes come in a set of four and are available in four colors, ranging from white to black. Each one has a smooth texture and matte finish, although there is also a grooved set if you prefer something more textured. With your set, you get two long trays that measure 6″ x 3″, and two coaster-like dishes that measure 3″ x 3″.

They’re all made from diatomite, a porous rock that you might see described as “nature’s sponge” if you Google its water-absorbing capabilities. Catching runoff water and preventing it from wetting your countertops is the main purpose for these trays, which also have short, non-skid feet. That being said, you can use them to hold anything from bedside beverages to your electric toothbrush, all while keeping your counters dry and clean.

Although I first noticed the dishes in my mom’s bathroom, I quickly saw that she uses them in almost every room. One holds her toothbrush, and another holds her flat iron. In the kitchen, she keeps a flower vase under one of the long trays. And I would occasionally steal a dish to use as a coaster for my water tumbler. Both the bathroom and kitchen counters in my parents’ house are white, so naturally she got the white dishes; they blend right in.

If you pick up one of the dishes, you’ll find that it feels thin and delicate, but the dishes are surprisingly sturdy. Like I said, the long ones are able to hold flower vases filled with water, and thanks to their non-slip bottoms, they stay put. But I’ve been considering grabbing my own set, because I think it would come most in handy while I’m doing my hair. I’m always worried about my curling iron potentially damaging my bathroom counter, so having a cute little dish to set it on would give me peace of mind.

The diatomite dishes are only $10 for a set of four, so you can easily add them to your next Amazon bulk order. But be careful — once you see how well they work, you’re going to want another set.

Buy: Water Absorbent Diatomite Soap Dishes, Set of 4, $9.99