Wash Basin

Hand washing fragile stemware or china can result in one of the more frustrating kitchen mishaps: having it slip through soapy hands and chip or break on the hard surface of the sink. The stylish Washing-Up Bowl ($85) by Normann Copenhagen is a soft rubber basin with a rolled brim that gives breakables a cushiony landing spot while keeping them contained. We filled the 11-inch square vessel with warm, sudsy water and got busy, using the included beech-handled brush. The bowl held four of our wineglasses at a time, or three larger pieces of stemware (such as margarita glasses or beer steins), and all fit easily in the 5½-inch-deep space. The folded-over rim provides extra cushioning in case of accidental bumps. The product can also serve as a wine chiller or a fruit bowl. The product is also dishwasher-safe, emerging good as new after three cycles. The only problem? When it comes to protecting breakables, it doesn’t do anything that an ordinary $5 plastic washtub can’t do.