I bought IKEA's new $5 sink organizer, and it's solved my least favorite part of doing the dishes

Doing the dishes is my least favorite chore, but while I'm not a fan of the scrubbing, it's handling the sponge and scrubbing brush that I find the most disgusting. Because they're often left at the bottom of my sink so as not to be eyesores, they can often catch food debris or become slimy between uses. Not only is it gross to handle, it also majorly brings down my Home Editor credentials, acting as a breeding ground for bacteria. Yuck.

Thankfully, I've found the perfect solution to my woes, and it costs just $5 from IKEA. The SKOLÄST sink container is expandable, meaning it can be expanded or shrunk down to fit just about every sink out there. It's got slats for drainage, meaning your sponge won't sit in any standing water, and there's even a little side arm to hold your microfiber cloths.

Here's why adding the SKOLÄST to your basket is a no-brainer for your next IKEA trip.

IKEA SKOLÄST Sink container, extendable: $5 at IKEA

This easy-to-clean sink container is extendable to fit almost any basin, while it's crafted from durable polypropylene. It'll live inside your sink, freeing up space around your sink and preventing the countertop around your sink from getting grubby. Its design features air holes on its sides to allow any water to escape. You will need to clean it out frequently, as, due to its nature, it'll get grubby fast.

View Deal

Fits into any sink

The SKOLÄST sink container is extendable from 15 to 21 inches, including the handles. These handles allow it to perch securely on my sink, no matter which way it's facing. I typically align it with the left hand side of my sink, where it slots neatly underneath the tap and doesn't get in the way of daily washing.

With an impressive capacity, I've been able to store all my daily drivers with no problems. This includes my sponge, scrubbing brush and trusty Dishmatic. And because they're not sitting in the danger zone below, at risk of catching coffee grounds, old flower water or anything else that ends up in the sink between washes, I'm also finding that I need to replace them much less frequently. Considering it costs just $5 to buy, I'd say it's paid for itself already.

Easy on the eyes

I used to leave my sponge at the bottom of the sink because I thought it looked ugly on the draining board. When I'd just finished doing the dishes, the last thing I wanted to do was to leave my counters looking messy and cluttered again.

But the SKOLÄST not only lies low, meaning your eyes only skim over it from a distance, it also looks quite neat and tidy up-close. My kitchen is a similar shade of green, which is yet another reason to love it, but no matter your personal design, it's an attractive little add-on.

Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds.

More from Tom's Guide

• Should you buy IKEA kitchen appliances?
• I just upgraded my home with these 5 IKEA items
• You don’t need an appliance garage — I’ve been using this $29 IKEA classic for years, and it keeps my gadgets neatly stowed away