Soap-Man Cleaning Supplies
Kitchen

How to Clean Oven Racks

Keeping your oven racks clean isn't just about appearance -- it's about hygiene and performance. Here's how to do it right, with the supplies you probably already have at home.

What You'll Need

  • Bathtub or large container
  • Dryer sheets (yes, really)
  • Soap-Man Lemon Glow Dish Soap
  • Hot water
  • Old towel

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. 1

    Lay an old towel in the bathtub

    Protect your tub by laying an old towel on the bottom before placing the racks.

  2. 2

    Add dryer sheets

    Lay 4-6 dryer sheets across the towel under the racks. The chemicals in dryer sheets break down baked-on grease.

  3. 3

    Cover with hot water and dish soap

    Fill the tub with very hot water until the racks are submerged. Add half a cup of dish soap.

  4. 4

    Soak overnight

    Let the racks soak for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight. The longer they soak, the easier they clean.

  5. 5

    Wipe clean

    After soaking, the grease wipes off easily with the dryer sheets. Rinse and dry before returning to the oven.

Pro Tips

  • TIPThe dryer sheet trick is the easiest way to clean oven racks -- the fabric softener chemicals dissolve grease.
  • TIPFor very dirty racks, a heavy-duty oven cleaner like Easy-Off can speed things up but requires more ventilation.
  • TIPClean oven racks every 3 months or whenever you do a deep oven cleaning.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • XPutting oven racks in the self-cleaning oven, which can damage their finish and warp them.
  • XUsing steel wool, which scratches and damages the rack coating.
  • XSkipping the rinse, leaving soap residue that smells when the oven heats up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most cannot -- they are too large and can damage the dishwasher. The bathtub soak method is more effective.