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| I love that the reflection doesn't show the mat. Vampire mat! |
If you’ve ever dealt with the dreaded “sink soup” – that little swamp of water collecting behind the faucet – you’ll understand why I decided to try stone faucet mats. This month I tested two nearly identical options: the IMSPSWT Diatomite Faucet Mat and the Svincolare Fast Drying Faucet Mat. Both are long, skinny diatomite “stone” trays that wrap around the faucet to catch drips and keep water from rolling over the back edge of the sink.
The short version: Both mats absolutely helped with water control, but the bright white finish was a constant battle, and one of these is clearly the better value.
Both the IMSPSWT and Svincolare mats are made from diatomite, a stone-like material that absorbs water, darkens slightly when wet, and then dries out again in a short time. They come in two halves that sit on either side of the faucet base. The idea is simple: instead of water splashing behind the faucet and pooling on the counter, it lands on the stone and disappears.
In practice, that part works really well. The back of my sink used to collect a permanent puddle; with either mat in place, the “sink soup” problem is dramatically reduced.
I ordered both mats in white, thinking they’d blend nicely with my farmhouse-style sink. Instead, I discovered that white diatomite shows everything:
Both brands include tiny pieces of sandpaper so you can buff out stains. The sanding does work, but the mats only look “fresh” for a short time before new marks show up. If you’re expecting bright white to stay bright, it’s going to be an ongoing maintenance project.
We’ve actually switched to clear dish soap and are in the process of painting our mats a deeper slate-sage color to make them more forgiving.
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| This will not clean up even with bleach; it has to be sanded out. |
Link: IMSPSWT Faucet Mat for Kitchen Sink – 23.6" Diatomite Fast Stone Drying Mat
The IMSPSWT mat comes as two long halves with a center cut-out to fit around the faucet. It includes foam sticker pads you can use as risers to lift the stone slightly off the countertop.
My overall take: functionally helpful, but cosmetically high-maintenance and more expensive than it needs to be.
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| Included tiny sandpaper and foam riser stickers. |
Link: Svincolare Fast Drying Faucet Mat – 24" Diatomite Stone Faucet Mat
The Svincolare mat is essentially the budget-friendly twin of the IMSPSWT. Same basic material, same general size, same white color that loves stains a little too much. The big difference is in the risers and the price.
My overall take: If you want a white diatomite faucet mat and don’t mind the upkeep, Svincolare is the better buy of the two. Svincolare also offers a lower maintenance gray option.
| Feature | IMSPSWT Diatomite Mat | Svincolare Diatomite Mat |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Diatomite stone | Diatomite stone |
| Color tested | White (shows stains easily) | White (shows stains easily) |
| Water absorption | Very good | Very good |
| Included risers | Foam pads (absorb water) | Hard pads (stay dry) |
| Regular price (approx.) | About $20 | About $10 |
| Best for | Those who really want foam risers | Most people who want stone but also value |
In day-to-day use, both mats behave the same. Given the similar performance and the fact that we preferred the hard risers anyway, Svincolare wins this comparison on price and hardware alone.
Honestly, I don’t think I’d buy either of these again in white. They do exactly what they’re supposed to do in terms of water control, but they always look a bit tired unless I’ve just scraped and sanded them.
If you’re willing to do some DIY, a darker painted or dyed stone mat can be a good compromise – you get the fast-drying performance without the “every spill is forever” look.
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| They look sleek...until you use them. |
If you love the idea of a faucet mat but want less maintenance, here are some alternatives that solve different versions of the same problem.
For busy sinks, a silicone mat can be much easier to live with. Instead of absorbing water, it slopes gently and drains it back into the sink. One popular option is the BFONS Silicone Faucet Handle Drip Catcher Drying Tray, which has a raised back and small channels to guide water away from the countertop.
If you like diatomite but hate the white, you may be happier with a darker stone mat from the start. A style like this dark gray diatomite faucet mat keeps the fast-drying performance but hides everyday stains far better than bright white.
For sinks that see constant splashing, a fabric or microfiber mat can be the easiest option. Something like The Original Ternal Sinkmat Microfiber Faucet Mat absorbs generously and then goes straight into the wash.
Both the IMSPSWT and Svincolare stone faucet mats absolutely helped with the mess behind my faucet. If you’re set on a white diatomite mat and don’t mind some upkeep, I’d point you to the more affordable Svincolare mat over the pricier IMSPSWT.
If you’d rather not babysit a white stone tray with sandpaper, though, I’d look at a silicone mat, a darker stone option, or a washable microfiber mat instead. Your counters will still be dry – you’ll just spend less time scrubbing proof of every coffee spill off your faucet mat.
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