Updated on Jan. 06, 2025
If you want to keep your pantry looking pristine, the best shelf liners will keep your shelves clean and prevent things from slipping and sliding around.
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If you’re tired of scrubbing stains off the shelves in your pantry or refrigerator, the best shelf liner will make a world of difference. These inexpensive liners serve a few key purposes in the kitchen: First, they serve as a barrier to protect your shelving—ideal if your food storage containers occasionally leak. (Psst! Our favorite containers don’t!)
Further, they help with pantry and fridge organization because many liners have a non-slip surface that keeps items from moving around. Shelf liners are also useful if you have wire shelving in your pantry, as they will prevent smaller items from falling through the bars.
Here’s everything you need to know about choosing the best shelf liner for your kitchen, as well as our top picks for every home.
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If you’re looking for an easy-to-install shelf liner that contains spills and keeps items from moving around, the Gorilla Grip slip-resistant drawer and shelf liner is our top choice. The liner comes in a variety of common shelf widths, ranging from 12-24 inches, and you can purchase it in 10- or 20-foot rolls. There is also a variety of colors and patterns from which to choose, including neutral and bold options.
This shelf liner has a durable, nonadhesive grip bottom that will keep it in place on your shelf and a smooth top that’s water-resistant. It’s the ideal product for kitchen shelves, inside your fridge or under countertop appliances as a cushion. And the material is simple to trim down to the perfect size.
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The Duck Brand EasyLiner shelf and drawer liner is a budget-friendly solution for your kitchen that retails for less than half the price of other similar shelf liners. It’s made from a grippy polyester material with a breathable open-weave construction, and it comes in 12- or 20-inch widths.
This liner is particularly beneficial if you’re trying to prevent slipping in your cupboards, and it stays in place without any adhesive. It’s not ideal for preventing food stains because it does have perforations, but it is extra easy to clean—simply pick it up and toss it in the washing machine!
Next, learn how to organize your fridge on a budget.
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If you don’t mind spending a little extra for an eco-friendly product, the Con-Tact natural cork shelf liner is attractive and highly functional. It comes in 4-foot rolls that are either 12- or 18-inches wide, and you can easily cut the thin cork to fit any shelf. Plus, the material has an adhesive side that keeps it in place, even when you slide heavy dishes across it.
Not only is cork a renewable resource, which means it’s eco-friendlier than plastic, but it also absorbs oils and stains and is a breeze to wipe clean. The material prevents items from sliding around on your shelves, and its attractive finish makes it worth the splurge in our book.
Looking for more must-haves? Add a fridge drawer organizer, drink dispenser and Chilly Mama odor eliminator to your cart.
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The Glomen shelf liner has a simple, clear design, so it won’t call attention to itself. The liner is made from a food-grade material, and it has a subtle striped texture to help prevent items from slipping. It also comes in a range of widths and lengths, so it’s easy to find the best fit for your application.
This shelf liner is ideal for the pantry or even for refrigerator shelving because its plasticlike surface is waterproof and simple to wipe clean when you’re cleaning your fridge. It can be cut into any shape, but the bottom isn’t slip-resistant, so you might need some double-sided tape to keep it in place on your shelf.
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You can instantly elevate your kitchen with the Smart Design bonded grip shelf liner, which comes in a variety of beautiful patterns. Choose from dainty florals, polka dots, plaids and more, all of which come in rolls that are 12 inches wide.
This Amazon kitchen find has a durable bonded design that won’t fray or split, even if you cut the edges, and the nonadhesive design is easy to install. The top of the liner is smooth and slick, so it’s a breeze to wipe down, and the bottom has a slip-resistant finish to keep the material in place.
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Wire shelving is a popular pantry organization solution, and the Gorilla Grip wire shelf liner helps make the surface even more usable by preventing items from falling between the wires. These shelf liners come in clear, colored and patterned options, and they’re made of a heavy-duty polypropylene that’s thicker than many other liners and can support heavy objects. They even have notched corners to help keep them in place on your shelves, and the waterproof material will capture all sorts of stains and spills.
Unlike many other liners, this product comes in precut sizes to match common shelf dimensions. This means you’ll have to measure your shelving in advance to make sure you’re getting the proper size.
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The DII fridge and shelf liner makes it easy to prevent tough food stains on your shelves. The liners come in an array of fun colors and patterns, and they’re made from a durable polyester material that can be tossed right into the washing machine. They’re ideal for use in the fridge and pantry, or under messy countertop appliances. You could also make use of the liners in the bathroom or other parts of your home. You can cut the liner to any shape, and each pack includes two 12-by-20-inch liners.
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
Shelf liners offer several benefits. They can prevent objects on your shelves, such as dinnerware and glassware, from sliding around on the shelf, and many liners also help protect your shelves from stains, ultimately making your pantry or fridge easier to clean.
Many of the best shelf liners have non-slip backings, which helps to keep them in place, even if you pull an object across the shelf. However, if you’ve noticed your shelf liners are moving around, use double-sided tape to keep them in place.
If you need to remove adhesive shelf liners, you’ll want to heat up the material using a blow dryer, which helps soften the adhesive. From there, use a putty knife to peel up the liner. You can also spray the underside with a little water to help break the bonds.
Shelf liners are a relatively inexpensive way to upgrade any cabinets in your home. If you’re concerned about stains or things slipping around, they’re a good addition. If you live in an older home and the shelves aren’t in the greatest shape, shelf liners are also an easy way to make the surfaces look neat. They can even be used in the kitchen to prevent cutting boards from slipping around.
Polyester, polypropylene, vinyl and silicone are all materials that are easy to wipe and keep clean. Some options are waterproof or have no-slip bottoms, too.
