Slotted basket for the soaking and straining of towels, cloths, and other hard surface items

A straining device for use at least partially within a bucket to receive objects for pre-soaking of the objects, the straining device comprising:

• a body having a first end and an opposite second end and a plurality of slots extending therebetween;
• a flange extending outwardly radially from the first end and including at least one handle, the flange configured to operatively connect to the bucket;
• a latch extending from the first end and capable of connecting the device to a lid;
• and
• a floor at the second end of the body and including at least one aperture therethrough;
• said device configured to be positioned relative to the bucket such that the floor is spaced away from a floor of the bucket.

A straining assembly for pre-soaking objects, comprising:

• a bucket comprising a body, a floor, and a top rim;
• and
• a straining device at least partially positioned within the bucket, the straining device comprising:
• a. a body having a first end and opposite second end and including a plurality of slots extending therebetween;
• b. a flange extending outwardly from the first end of the body;
• and
• c. a floor at the second end of the body and including at least one aperture;
• wherein said flange is configured to engage the top rim of the bucket to position the straining device body within the bucket body such that the floor of the straining device is spaced away from the floor of the bucket.