An article that’s entirely dedicated to the best shelf liner available on the market, or other small elements such as the Oven Mitt, Oven Cleaners, or Apron for that matter, may seem useless; however, it’s all about the little details. While you could buy and use any shelf liner or entirely ignore them, a good shelf liner can serve, not only as an exquisite decorative piece to make your kitchen seem more appealing, but a good shelf liner can also be very practical.
Usually, a shelf liner should be changed once a year, but that’s entirely up to you, heads won’t roll if you change it once every other year. However, you need to change them sooner or later, and when the old liners end up in the Garbage Disposal, the million-dollar question awakens from its slumber; ‘What shelf liner is the best?’.
Well after reading this article, you can put that question back to sleep and make an educated, and hopefully, a wise decision when it comes to choosing and buying shelf liners.
Shelf Liner Review Center 2021
| Image | Shelf Liner | Rating |
|---|---|---|
 | #1 - Gorilla Grip Original Drawer and Shelf Liner | 99% |
 | #2 - Duck Smooth Top Easy Non-Adhesive Shelf liner | 96% |
 | #3 - Duck Brand Solid Surface Shelf Liner | 94% |
 | #4 - Conimar Shelf Liner for Wire Shelves | 92% |
 | #5 - Con-Tact Brand Zip-N-Fit Solid Grip Shelf Liner | 85% |
Want to learn more?
Now that you’ve seen our top 5 recommendations, we’ll give you more detail on each of them, including why we liked them. When you’re ready, click the yellow button to get the best price on Amazon!
#1 – Gorilla Grip Original Drawer and Shelf Liner
Simple, effective, and versatile, this product ticks all the elements. You can use it not only as a shelf liner but also for other things, like using it to protect your kitchenware thanks to its non-adhesive and non-slip properties.
It’s quite cost-effective as well considering its 12 inches by 20 feet. It is available in beige, black, chevron: gray/white, chocolate, cream, diamond: beige/ivory, gray, hunter green, light blue, light gray, light pink, navy, purple, quatrefoil: gray/white, red, snow-white, spa blue, stripe: black/white, swirl colors. Now with this vast choice pool, it actually makes it so much more versatile since it can pretty much blend in anywhere no matter the kitchen. If you’re more on the eccentric side of things when it comes to colors, you might want to use this product given that there are a plethora of choices and room for expression when using it. One important thing to note, though, is that there isn’t any color bleeding to note from our experience with the product, so at least it’s not cheap.
Another thing that makes this product so versatile is how easy it is to cut it to any size and shape. To add the cherry on top, it’s also extremely easy to clean and wipe which is a huge plus. You might want to be careful though as it’s a bit thin, which brings us to the next drawback, which is the fact that it tends to move a bit when you put dishes on it. Just because it’s non-slip, doesn’t necessarily mean that It’s 100% slip-proof sadly, so be careful when you’re placing your Martini Glasses, Beer Glass, Champagne Glass, and Wine Glass Sets on your shelves.
What we like about it
This is an easy product to cut and repurpose. It also has a good cushioning effect which protects all surfaces. Not to mention it’s non-slip, easy to clean and its color does not bleed.
#2 – Duck Smooth Top Easy Non-Adhesive Shelf liner
This product is very similar to the second one we mentioned on this list which is not surprising seeing that both of them come from the same brand. However, this product aims to make up for the rather bland design of its predecessor on this list by introducing an elegant white that immediately caught our eyes.
To be completely honest, the white color alone was enough for us to make it worthy of this list. However, this product is also quite effective and practical. These shelf liners are pretty good at holding whatever you put on top of them and also sticking to the surface you put them on.
Another noteworthy thing about it is how reliable it is. The color is pretty much permanent and will not bleed at all on the top surface. On top of all that, it’s also easy to clean and you can wash it a washing machine without worrying about the pattern or the color. Speaking of the pattern, one of the biggest drawbacks of this product is that the pattern on the back seems to be misaligned with the one on the front side which can make the process of cutting through straight lines more difficult than it should be.
What we like about it
We could go on forever about how great of a product this is, however, we’ll keep it as short as we can.
Simply put, it’s elegantly designed, has reliable colors that do not bleed, is pretty good at preventing objects from slipping, easy to clean, and is very cost-effective. Now that’s a wonderful combination of things!
#3 – Duck Brand Solid Surface Shelf Liner
While you might’ve got a bit excited when reading that there are 3 different colors to choose from, don’t get your hopes up. The Duck Brand Shelf Liners comes in black, and taupe. While the color choice pool might be underwhelming for those who want to brighten their kitchen, the fact that you can choose from 3 different sizes makes this product more cost-effective than its predecessor as it can save you both money and the trouble of cutting the liner to your preferences.
When it comes to the product’s effectiveness, it’s not much different from the last, offering a cushioned, but solid surface which is great. Another thing that’s great is the fact that the bottom of the liner, although non-adhesive, sticks pretty well to the shelf. The top side of it is similar in that it keeps what’s stored on top of it from slipping while having a smooth texture at the same time.
Another thing to mention is that the material of the Duck Brand Shelf Liner is PVC-free and food-safe while also being light and thin. It’s easy to clean and maintain and can even be washed using a machine that can make it look pristine. However, when you first buy it, it has a plastic-like odor that might be nauseating for some, and it sticks for quite a while before going away. The liner itself also has no marks on it to make things easier for you if you wish to cut it.
Two things hold this product back though, its unpleasant smell which seems to last for longer than it’s supposed to along with the fact that it’s not that great for wired shelves.
What we like about it
Cleaning this product is a breeze. Not to mention it’s non-toxic, water-resistant, comes in different sizes and color options, and, the cherry on top, very affordable.
#4 – Conimar Shelf Liner for Wire Shelves
While these are meant to be used for wire shelves, you can also use them on any type of shelf you might have, and they’ll do splendidly. They’ve been optimized for wire shelves to make them more stable and more reliable. When you use these liners, nothing will slip through the gaps of your shelves?
Another thing to mention about this product is that it comes with its own locking tabs which allow you to securely lock them in one place without the risk of them slipping or moving at all. These liners are made from translucent plastic which is easy to clean and wipe and is very reliable.
A roll of Shelf Liner for wire shelves is around 16 inches wide and 10 feet long. On top of that, they’re quite easy to cut into any desired size which is quite practical. Another great thing about it is how much space its flat surface provides. However, the tabs of the liner are not perfectly lined up, and the liner itself can take a bit of time to curl out.
What we like about it
One of the greatest things about this product is how much space it wins you by flattening out the wire surface. Not to mention how easy to clean and cut it can be. It’s also made from durable plastic.
#5 – Con-Tact Brand Zip-N-Fit Solid Grip Shelf Liner
The Con-Tact Brand Zip-N-Fit Solid Grip Shelf Liner measures 18 inches by 4 feet. It also comes in 3 different colors which are black, almond, and taupe along with a clear ribbed option. This product offers the most choices when compared with other products on this list.
What sets this product apart from the rest is the perforated seam that it features every 1/4 meaning that you can just pull it apart. Remember to be careful though as you risk ripping it apart and ruining it if you don’t do it slowly.
A couple of issues to note about this product are the nauseating plastic-like odor that comes with it and sticks for a long while, along with the fact that the liner itself doesn’t immediately lie flat, rather it requires time to resolve itself. Our biggest gripe, however, is the price. When compared with the rest of the products, this is the least cost-effective among all the 5 products on this list.
What we like about it
These shelf liners offer a firm grip and are quite versatile. The fact that they also don’t need any scissors to be cut is a godsend. Not to mention that it offers a lot of choices for consumers including a clear version.
Picking the Ultimate Shelf Liner
The winner here is, without a doubt the Duck Brand Soft Surface Shelf Liner which was the 4th element on this list.
Its elegant design and effectiveness along with its pricing are all unrivaled. These are what make it such a clear winner.
If patterns are not your thing, you can always go with the Duck Brand Solid Surface Shelf Liner which is as close as you’ll get the winner. All of the shelves on this list are also a viable choice.
Why Even Bother Using Shelf Liners?
Well, as we mentioned earlier, shelf liners are not purely made to make your shelves look better. They were made with the intent of extending the life of your cabinets and looking good while they’re at it.
Using shelf liners will keep your shelves clean, safe, as well as look stylish. They can prevent accidental spills from being a nightmare to deal with as well as prevent any damage that can be caused by any wet dishes, Food Storage Container, or FoodSaver. That especially applies if you like to store your filled Whipped Cream Dispenser, Beverage Dispenser, or Olive Oil Dispenser on the shelf. Not to mention that it adds a touch of personality and character which is always a plus.
The Quintessential Shelf Liner Guide: Buying and Using Shelf Liners
Before you go out to buy shelf liners, there are 3 essential things that you must keep in mind before you make your choice.
Non-Adhesive VS Adhesive Shelf Liners
When it comes to choosing between adhesive or non-adhesive shelf liners, we recommend you go with the latter. Adhesive shelf liners can be a pain in the neck to remove and might even cause damage to your shelves if they stick too strong. That’s the exact opposite of what you’re buying them for. Non-adhesive shelf liners, on the other hand, are much more flexible in that you can put them anywhere and change their place if you so desire. This is why you’re better off with the non-adhesive shelf liners.
Padded Shelf Liners
Padded shelf liners might be more expensive than their regular counterparts, but they’re definitely worth the small bump in price as they come with many benefits. The main benefit is that the muffled sound, which can help decrease any rattling and unnecessary noise in the kitchen. Not only that, but they can also protect your Dinnerware Set and Glassware Set from scratches and other damage.
However, you must be careful when choosing which padded shelf liner to go with as there are cheap ones on which the color is not permanent and risk seeping into your kitchenware, creating an unwelcome mess.
Cleaning and Maintaining Shelf Liners
While shelf liners keep your cabinets clean and sanitary, they’re not magical. By that we mean you should try and keep them clean and do so on a regular basis. This involves wiping any accidental spills as soon as possible, as well as dust or crumbs. You should also try and clean the shelf liners meticulously at least once a year
This can make changing the liners much easier down the line as well as increase their lifespan before you need to replace them. Picking non-adhesive liners that can be washed, dried, and reused can prove to be extremely helpful.
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