It doesn’t take long for an oven to become dirty. When you use the appliance, baked-on grease, sticky grime, and burnt bits are likely to accumulate.
There are many households today with self-cleaning ovens, which are great for getting rid of gunk, but they can cause damage to the racks.
Self-cleaning uses temperatures that are typically double or triple those used for cooking.
Racks left in place during self-cleaning can discolor the metal, dull its finish, and damage the coating that helps racks slide in and out easily.
No matter if your oven is self-cleaning or not, it’s best to remove the racks and clean them the old-fashioned way. Fortunately, any of the following methods can get the job done quickly and efficiently.
The 7 Best Ways To Clean Oven Racks
With seven solid methods to choose from, all of which use household items you probably already have on hand, you should be able to get the job done fairly quickly and without much difficulty.
How To Clean Oven Racks In The Bathtub
In the bottom of the tub, lay an old towel and place the oven racks on top.
Fill the oven racks with enough hot water to cover them, then pour in up to 1/2 cup of dishwashing soap (or up to 3/4 cup laundry detergent). Allow to sit overnight.
If you are low on detergent but have plenty of baking soda, sprinkle it over the oven racks instead, then douse them with distilled white vinegar.
After the foaming stops, submerge the racks in very hot water and let them sit overnight.
Rub the racks with an old dish towel in the morning to remove grease and grime. Dislodge any stubborn baked-on mess with an old toothbrush.
When scrubbing really tough bits, add salt to the toothbrush to make it more abrasive. Finally, rinse racks thoroughly before returning them to the oven.
How To Clean Oven Racks Using Trash Bag Ammonia
Place oven racks into a clean trash bag outside or in a well-ventilated area. Add one pint of ammonia. Seal the bag and let it sit overnight.
Be sure the area is well ventilated in the morning, as the ammonia fumes will be even stronger when you open the bag.
Rinse the racks thoroughly (no scrubbing should be needed) with a garden hose or in the shower, then replace.
How To Clean Oven Racks With Dryer Sheets And Dishwashing Liquid
Pour very hot water over oven racks in a bathtub, wash tub, or sink. Degrease the racks with a few squirts of dishwashing liquid.
Sprinkle a handful of dryer sheets on top. The water should foam up. Tip: Used dryer sheets work just as well as fresh ones!
Drain the water and wipe the racks with the dryer sheets after several hours or overnight.
The racks should shine like new after any gunk that didn’t wash off in the bath slides right off. Simply rinse and replace.
How To Clean Oven Racks With Bar Keeper’s Friend And Water
Prepare a paste with water and Bar Keeper’s Friend, the original powder-formula cleanser made of mineral abrasive, oxalic acid, surfactant, and a water-softening agent.
Spray lightly with water and the oven racks in the kitchen sink. Apply the paste and scrub gently with a scrubber sponge or pad to remove grease, grime, and residue. Rinse and replace the racks.
How To Clean Oven Racks With Orange Essential Oil
Create a paste using baking soda, vinegar, and some drops of orange essential oil. It contains powerful antimicrobial compounds called terpenes and has a pleasant citrus scent.
Using a damp sponge, apply the paste over the sink to the oven racks. Give it 6 to 8 hours of dwell time, then scrub lightly to remove grease and grime. Rinse well and replace.
How To Clean Oven Racks With Commercial Oven Cleaners
Several commercial cleansers produce toxic fumes, so if possible, clean oven racks outside. If you want a non-toxic, eco-friendly alternative, try the Carbona Biodegradable Oven Cleaner (available on Amazon).
Place a sheet of plastic or newspaper over the work surface. Arrange the oven racks in one layer.
Put on rubber gloves and spray oven cleaner generously over the racks. Wait about 10 minutes.
Wipe the racks with a rag or a toothbrush. Rinse the racks thoroughly with a garden hose before replacing them.
How To Clean Oven Racks With Aluminum Foil
The oven racks should be wrapped in aluminum foil and placed in a container filled with hot water.
In the water, drop a dishwasher tablet; the cleansing agent will react with the foil.
Let sit for two hours and drain the tub. Peel the foil off and the grime and grease should easily wash away. Rinse the racks and replace them.
Final Thoughts
Do not let the thought of dirty oven racks stop you from using this essential appliance! By following the techniques described above, you can clean those racks very easily.
