I Didn’t Believe in Sponge Holders Until I Tried This $12 OXO Gem

When it comes to storing my kitchen sponge after cleaning, I’m a big fan of keeping it in the sink and off the countertop so that I don’t have to look at it all the time. I’ve always preferred a suction holder with holes in it for drainage and so the sponge has a chance to dry out slightly and stays off the bottom of the sink, but I’ve never found one I liked. The suction would inevitably stop working, with the whole setup sliding down into the sink or falling down if bumped against.

It wasn’t until I was watching someone organize and clean their kitchen online recently that I saw a sponge holder that looked so good that I immediately rushed out to order one. I can happily report that this is the best $12 I ever spent on something for my sink. In fact, it’s so good I ordered a second one for another sink pretty soon after I started using the first one!

What caught my eye about this OXO Good Grips Stronghold Suction Sponge Holder was watching how someone installed it in their kitchen sink. They pressed the suction cup against the sink, then really locked the suction cup into place by pulling a lever down. After the suction cup was installed, the holder snapped easily into place. It looked sturdy and strong, and I just had to have one.

The lever is the game-changing feature here that I love the most. The other suction cups I used to use would eventually lose their suction and stop working. With the OXO sponge holder, the lever really pushes out all the air between the suction cup and the sink so the contact is super strong. It probably doesn’t hurt that this is one big suction cup too — it’s almost the size of the holder itself!

Here are some other reasons why I love this sponge holder so much.

• It’s easy to take on or off. Just press the suction cup against the sink and press the lever down, then snap the sponge holder on. Taking it off is just as easy, as there’s a little tab at the bottom of the suction cup that you can pull on to help you break the suction.
• It comes in two parts. The sponge holder snaps off easily for cleaning or if you want to have some more room in the sink.
• It’s dishwasher-safe. You can just throw the holder into the dishwasher for easy cleaning. But based on reviews, I would not put the suction in the dishwasher and would just wash that by hand.
• It works on multiple surfaces. The product description says it works best in a stainless steel sink and is not recommended for use on textured or porous surfaces, but I’ve used it in a few farmhouse sinks with no issues.

After a few weeks of use, I am ecstatic to report that the OXO sponge holder has held up its end of the bargain. It has not budged or wiggled one bit — even after I deliberately knocked into it with my hand a few times to test it out. I took the sponge holder and suction off today to deep clean my sink, and the suction cup itself was really clean and dry (a testament to how airtight it was nestled up against the sink). Re-installing it in the sink again was a cinch.

As someone who spends tons of time in the kitchen and uses their sink often, having a sponge holder that actually stays in place is a small but wonderful change that makes me happy every time I look at it. If you want to store more than just sponges in your sink, there are other items from the same OXO line that can accommodate items like dishwashing brushes too that would be worth looking into.

Buy: OXO Good Grips Stronghold Suction Sponge Holder, $11.99