Drying dishes by hand is one of those kitchen chores that feels unnecessarily tedious, especially when you have a large cutting board or a stack of delicate glassware that shouldn’t go in the dishwasher. That’s where a dish drying mat comes in. The HexClad 2-Piece Ultra Thin Absorbent Dish Drying Mat Set aims to replace the crumpled dish towel or the bulky wire rack for those items that need a gentle, flat place to air dry.
I’ve been using these mats for a few weeks now, rotating them between the counter next to the sink and inside a lower cabinet as a liner for cast iron and other hand-wash-only cookware. The set includes two mats, each measuring about 16 x 24 inches, which is enough to cover a decent stretch of counter space or to line a large drawer. The material is a synthetic microfiber blend, and true to the “ultra thin” claim, they are notably slim – about the thickness of a thick kitchen towel folded once. That thinness is a double-edged sword, as I’ll get into shortly.
The primary function, of course, is to absorb water from freshly washed items. In that regard, the HexClad mats perform well. They soak up a surprising amount of moisture. After rinsing a large salad spinner bowl and a few plastic containers, I laid them on the mat, and within twenty minutes, most of the surface water had wicked away. The top surface dries quickly to the touch, which helps prevent that soggy, mildewy smell that some cloth mats develop after a few uses. The mat itself, when left out overnight, was completely dry by morning in my average kitchen humidity.
One of the standout features is the non-slip backing. The underside has a grippy texture that holds firmly to my quartz countertop. I never had the mat slide around when placing a heavy Dutch oven lid on it. That’s a real advantage over a standard dish towel, which tends to shift and bunch up. The mats also seem well-constructed; the edges are stitched cleanly, and after multiple machine washes (I washed them on cold and hung to dry), they haven’t frayed or lost their shape.
However, there are some trade-offs. The “ultra thin” design means there is very little cushioning. If you’re drying heavy stoneware plates or cast iron skillets, you’ll feel every bump and seam of the counter underneath. It’s not a problem for lighter items, but it’s worth noting if you were hoping for a padded surface. Also, these mats are not waterproof. The water is absorbed and held within the fabric until it evaporates. If you leave a very wet pot on the mat for an extended period, the moisture can eventually seep through to the counter. I found this out when I left a freshly washed stockpot on the mat and went to answer the phone – a small puddle formed underneath. For best results, you need to let items drain slightly before placing them on the mat, or be prepared to flip the mat over to let the underside dry if it gets saturated.
Compared to a traditional wire drying rack, these mats are far more flexible and easier to store. You can roll them up and tuck them in a drawer, which is a huge space saver. They also don’t leave rust marks or scratch delicate surfaces. But a wire rack will hold more items at once and allows for better air circulation, so heavy, wet items dry faster. The HexClad mat is not a replacement for your main drying rack; it’s more of a supplemental tool for items that shouldn’t be stacked or that need a gentle landing spot.
Another alternative is the classic microfiber dish towel, which costs a fraction of the price. A towel can do a similar job if you spread it flat, but it lacks the non-slip backing and tends to wrinkle, which can leave water pooled in creases. The HexClad mats are clearly more refined than a random towel, but you’re paying a premium for that refinement.
Who is this product for? If you regularly hand-wash large cutting boards, non-stick pans, or specialty knives and want a clean, flat, absorbent surface that won’t scratch them, this mat set is a practical buy. It’s also great for people who want to protect their countertops from water rings or who need a liner for a drawer that stores cast iron or other moisture-sensitive tools. The two-pack means you can have one in use while the other is in the wash.
Who might be disappointed? If you’re looking for a padded, cushioned surface for heavy stoneware or if you tend to leave very wet items on the mat for long periods, you’ll likely find the limitations frustrating. Also, if you’re on a tight budget, the price point is higher than a simple dish towel or a basic bamboo drying rack, and you might not feel the added cost is justified. For me, the convenience and the non-slip feature make it a worthwhile addition to my kitchen, but it’s not a miracle product. It does its job well within its limitations, and that’s about all you can ask for.
