Comparing The Most Popular Shelf Liner Materials (And Which One Is Best)

If you're a home or apartment dweller, chances are that you have drawers and shelves that are constantly in use. While these spaces are generally pretty low maintenance, they do require a little bit of care, especially when it comes to protecting their foundations from moisture or spills. Because of this, shelf liners are important to use because they can protect the surface of your shelves, cabinets, and drawers from suffering damage. They also offer easy cleaning, as crumbs and other debris accumulate from time to time. But what shelf liner materials are the most popular and which is best?

When it comes to comparing the most popular shelf liner materials, there are a number of considerations to hold in your mind. At the end of the day, some of the best materials to choose from are vinyl, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), or polypropylene (PP). Factors that make certain materials a great option include how durable and water-resistant they are, as well as how much bang you get for your buck, meaning that which shelf liner is the best comes down to a matter of needs, budget, and personal opinion.

Shelf liners are sometimes made of vinyl, like the Con-Tact Self-Adhesive Liner from Amazon for $6. Where vinyl shelf liners shine is in their affordability and flexibility for whatever surface you need to cover. It's ideal for spaces that need some degree of protection against light moisture but aren't prone to heavy spills or drips. Since it's thin, it can be cut down to the precise size that you need. This shelf liner is also great for awkwardly shaped shelves or drawers that thicker liners might be difficult to contour to. They also typically come in a variety of colors.

If you're looking for something a little more durable in the face of bigger spills, you might want to consider an Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) liner. EVA is great at preventing water or oil from penetrating through the liner to the surface below, making it a great option for under sinks or in laundry rooms where detergents and liquids might be prone to spilling or leaking. While they're sometimes slightly more expensive than vinyl shelf liners, EVA remains an affordable option. Similar to the vinyl shelf liners, EVA liners are an excellent option for any space, but since they are thicker than vinyl shelf liners, making them a more stable option. 

Liners made from waterproof polypropylene (PP) are typically smooth and easy to wipe down. This material often has a durable finish, which makes them ideal for creating a firm surface that can easily be cleaned. They typically also don't contain BPA or phthalates. Customers of the Gorilla Grip ShelfGuard Wire Shelf Liners adore them for their practical design and claim that they improve working with wire shelves a better experience. 

No matter how messy or clean you keep your drawers and shelves, choosing to invest in a shelf lining material can make a huge difference in day-to-day use of these household resources. If you're looking for something heavy duty, it's best to use a polypropylene or EVA shelf liner, whereas less spill-prone areas can do well with the more affordable vinyl shelf paper. Finally, should you find that you need to quickly line your shelves and don't have the time or budget to order specially made ones, there are plenty of DIY ways to line your cabinets, from placemats to wrapping paper.