This drying rack can be used over the top of the sink, even if there are some dirty dishes in the bottom. I make my own frappicinos and protein shakes a few times a day, so am constantly washing the cup and blades from the blender to the cup and lid to drink from. I end up putting them on a dish towel to dry, which takes up so much counter space and isn't very pretty. Now that I have this drying rack, I can put them right over the sink, even if there are some dishes I haven't cleaned yet. Now, I have started to use it after dinner every night to hand wash the knives, pots, and pans, like the manufacturers say we should. (Okay, I admit that before I got this rack, I used to cheat a lot and throw them in the dishwasher.)