Sink mat
These weird and wonderful little mats were invented to make sure that you didn’t chip your plates as you washed them in the sink, and to make sure that you didn’t wake the entire house while you were washing up after dinner. You know what, it’s a worthy aim, not breaking all your crockery.
However, most kitchen sinks now are made in a way that reduces the risk of chipping or scratching, so the ugly (but clever) little plasticky mats can go into the bin, leaving a shiny and clean-looking sink behind them.