The Best Non-Adhesive Shelf Liners For Lining Drawers And Shelves
The non-adhesive shelf liners can go a long way in protecting your shelves and drawers, expanding the lifespan of these surfaces because they are protected from wear and tear.
Whether you’re looking for the best non-adhesive shelf liner or want to understand more about the different types of options at your disposal, this article is designed to guide you through what these products are all about.
Top 3 Picks
Best Wire Shelf Liner: Conimar Shelf Liner
When you want a cost-effective choice to keep your wire shelves neat and tidy and ready to be stocked up with goodies, the Conimar liner is a great choice.
Most Design Options: Gorilla Grip Original Drawer and Shelf Liner
When you want a good product available in plenty of different size and pattern options, nothing really beats the Gorilla Grip products.
Customer’s Choice: Duck Smooth Top EasyLiner
“I still have these original liners on all my shelves in my house seven years later! This product still gets a five-star review seven years later.” (Customer review)
Pros & Cons to Drawer and Shelf Liners
Characterized by flexibility, shelf liners are literally designed to protect your shelves. They work really well inside drawers and cabinets as well, as they act like a protective coat that reduces potential damage to certain surfaces and even makes cleaning said surface way easier.
There are ups and down to choose shelf and drawer liners, so here is what you can expect to get when buying and using such a product:
Pro: They protect your drawers and shelves. First of all, moisture is very likely to end up on your shelves and drawers in multiple situations. It could be that you’re putting back a plate that didn’t properly dry out or it could be that oil is leaking from one of the bottles stored in the pantry. Whatever the case, liners offer water protection. They also help protect the surface in question from scratches. Overall, it’s safe to say they prolong the lifespan of your shelves and provide them with long-term pleasing aesthetics.
Con: If you choose a waffle-type of liner, you need to consider that the holes in the pattern of this product will easily allow something like crumbs or dust to infiltrate. When you remove the liner to clean it, there could be a true nightmare waiting for you underneath.
Pro: They make putting stuff away quieter. If you’ve never made an infernal amount of noise when putting a pot back in the cabinet, have you even lived? All jokes aside, the insulation provided by liners will make messing around in drawers, cabinets, and on shelves way quieter.
Con: You may choose shelf liners that stick too little or too much. Both of these can be considered problems. If the liners don’t stick well enough, it won’t stay in one place, and there’s nothing more annoying than having to constantly remove everything from the drawer or the shelf just to adjust the liner. If the liner has out-of-this-world adhesive and you ever want to remove it, you’re going to be left with some serious cleaning to do. And getting rid of adhesive from all kinds of surfaces can be a real nuisance.
Adhesive VS Non-Adhesive Shelf Liners
When you’re not sure which of these two categories is a better solution for you, consider where you’re going to use them.
When you want to save some money, consider purchasing adhesive shelf liners because they typically provide more product per roll, making them an affordable option if you have a large number of drawers and shelves to work with. However, once placed, changing the location of these peel-and-stick liners can turn out to be quite complicated, and they can be tough to remove completely. That means you want to avoid sticking them to surfaces that are likely to suffer damage, such as cork or unpainted wood.
Non-adhesive shelf liners are designed with a non-slip, grip bottom that prevents them from sliding off the surface on which they are placed. They tend to stay put the majority of the time but could shift from time to time, so don’t expect perfection with these either. Considering the increased thickness of the product, they are more expensive to make, and you will get less product per roll and at a higher cost.
Types of Shelf Liners
As always, the materials that are used to make a product can make or break the deal. Different materials will tell you different things about shelf liners, so here is what you should know about the main ones used to manufacture these products:
Heavy-duty plastic liners represent the best wire shelf liner category due to their ability to create a stable foundation for irregularly shaped goods. They’re waterproof, spill-proof, and simple to clean. Because these liners are difficult to trim due to the rigidness of the material, you should opt for liners that are pre-cut to the size that fits your needs.
Instead of glue, foam liners feature a gripping texture that when removed leaves no sticky behind on shelves. Because of the rough surface, foam liners are a fantastic alternative for drawers or shelves storing fragile goods that require extra protection. These liners can be cut with scissors or include perforated pieces that can be pulled apart to fit the measurements of your shelves and drawers.
Fabric liners are another option, one that won’t ruin your shelves and drawers because the material is soft and flexible. They are typically non-adhesive, meaning there will be no residue left behind to clean. They are available in a variety of designs and colors, and they are simple to cut, clean, and reuse. The fabric has the ability to absorb a certain amount of moisture in case of spills, but it won’t completely protect your shelves and drawers in case of excessive moisture.
Vinyl shelf liners are slightly thicker than paper or fabric, making them less prone to tearing. They are available in a wide range of colors and designs, in both non-adhesive and sticky varieties, and are simple to trim to suit shelves or drawers. Even if these types of liners are difficult to reuse, people buy them because they are the least priced solutions, so replacing them will not break the budget. Adhesive-backed vinyl is difficult to install and if you decide to remove it, there will be some residue left to clean.
How to Make Drawer and Shelf Liners
Making your own drawer and shelf liners is ridiculously easy. You’re going to need some measuring tape, double-sided tape, a ruler, a pair of scissors, and some oilcloth. After you’ve measured the surface you want to cover, you can cut the liner to the dimensions you need. Make sure that you clean the surface where you want to place your liner before proceeding. You can use double-sided tape to place the liners, as it can keep the oilcloth in place.
How to Cut the Perfect Drawer Liners
We’ve checked out the experiences other people had with shelf liners and we’ve noticed that one common complaint that’s visible across multiple products on the market is the ease of cutting. People claim that even the best shelf liners aren’t that easy to trim and we wondered: could they be doing it wrong? Here are some tips to help you cut the perfect drawer liners:
- Use a speed square in order to mark the edges of the liners.
- Use a box cutter for trimming your liner while also using a straight-edge ruler.
- When you have to create odd liner shapes, you can always place multiple pieces of liners and attach them together.
- When you want to cut the liner for a drawer, remove the drawer from its location, place it on a worktable upside down, place the liner on top and cut it to size.
DIY Shelf Liner Ideas
DIY Shelf and Drawer Liners
You can make some pretty cool drawer liners using placemats, and this tutorial will show you how. With a measuring tape that will help you determine the correct measurement for your future liner, you will be able to make accurate cuts to ensure your drawers and shelves are properly covered.
Easy DIY Drawer Liners
Here is one more tutorial that will teach you just how easy it is to make your shelf liner suitable for covering shelves and drawers throughout the house. You’re going to need some wrapping paper, drawer liners, project paper, or removable wallpaper for this project.
Best Non-Adhesive Shelf Liners
Gorilla Grip Original Drawer and Shelf Liner
With 23 different colors and patterns to choose from, the Gorilla Grip drawer and shelf liner is truly one of the best products in its category. There are multiple size options to choose from but you get the same quality construction regardless of the size chosen. Since these are non-adhesive, there won’t be residue left if you choose to remove them. The thick construction is pretty anti-slip, so the odds of these sliding out of place are minimal. In spite of the thickness of the material, they are still pretty easy to cut, so you can adjust the shape and size to fit the shelves and drawers of your choice.
Pros:
- 23 colors and pattern options.
- 15 size options.
- Good against scratches.
Cons:
- Open-cell design can allow crumbs to pass though.
Duck Smooth Top EasyLiner
Another viable option that offers plenty of choices when it comes to size and color is the Top EasyLiner. It has a smooth top surface, just as the name suggests, and comes in two width options. It has a solid vinyl surface that won’t allow crumbs or other forms of small debris from reaching underneath, making cleaning your shelves and cabinets a whole lot easier. What’s more, these liners are completely machine washable, thus reducing the time and effort you have to put in to keep your shelves clean.
Pros:
- Machine washable.
- Solid top, no debris goes through.
- Multiple size and color options.
Cons:
- Not that easy to trim.
Smart Design Shelf Liner Bonded Grip
The Smart Design shelf and drawer liner is another product worth considering because of its multiple sizes and pattern options, but also because it’s super easy to work with. You can purchase a large product roll, measure, and cut it to the size of your choice. The product is composed of two layers placed on top of each other: a top plastic layer and a bottom cushioning layer. They are super easy to cut, and you get plenty of product for the price, so it’s definitely a worthy purchase.
Pros:
- 18 beautiful patterns to choose from.
- 2 resistant layers that are easy to clean.
- Easy to trim.
Cons:
- Layers come apart easily.
Shelf Liner for Wire Shelving with Locking Tabs
A roll of shelf liner is a great way to create more stable and manageable wire shelving. It can be used to protect wood cabinet shelves or create a solid surface for wire closet shelving. The clear shelf liner is made with locking tabs to secure it in place on wire shelving. It’s made from durable, translucent plastic that’s easy to clean. If you want to cut the product, simply trim the liner to size with standard kitchen scissors.
Pros:
- Durable plastic surface.
- Easy to clean.
- Can be trimmed with standard kitchen scissors.
Cons:
- Not stain resistant.
Shelf Liner
This wire shelf liner is textured on both sides to prevent items from sliding. It can also grip the shelves well compared to other plastic liners. It is a must-have for keeping your kitchen cabinets and drawers looking their best. It prevents dirt and debris from getting on the shelves and drawers. You can trim the liner using a razor blade or a household tool. You can also wash it by hand or with water. The ribbed shelf liner is made from high-quality EVA which is durable enough to be reused.
Pros:
- Made with food-grade materials.
- Easy to trim.
- Non-slip, two-sided texture.
Cons:
- Does not cut evenly.
Conclusion
Choosing a non-adhesive or an adhesive shelf liner isn’t always an easy task, especially if you have no idea what to search for. While it seems counterintuitive that a product as simple as a liner requires you to know some stuff before spending money on it, purchasing a product that’s wrong for you can end up leaving you frustrated.
Once you understand what different shelf liners materials do and what features certain product categories have, you’re likely to find a shelf liner that you’ll want to purchase time and time again.