6 best ways to shift stubborn grime on oven racks, according to cleaning pros

While you probably know how to clean your kitchen surfaces, floors and sinks, there is one area of the kitchen that often proves much more difficult to clean – oven racks.

Baked on grease and grime is notoriously hard to shift, particularly when it drips onto your oven racks, which, while removable, are cumbersome and tricky to clean.

I spoke to professional cleaners for their cleaning tips on how to get your oven racks sparkling radiant and good as new, with simple methods for a satisfying shine.

How to clean oven racks

Your oven racks need a regular good, deep clean at least every month, so that food waste and grime don't become a problem.

1. Soak them in warm water and dish soap

The easiest way to clean your oven racks is to remove them, and soak them in warm soapy water.

'If you have a bathtub or an extra large bussing container, the easiest way to clean your oven racks is to fill one with warm water and dish soap and allow racks to soak,' says Carolina Kazimierski, co-owner and president of Sophia's Cleaning Service.

We recommend using Dawn Dish Soap available at Walmart for this step, which is a bestselling popular pick, as it guarantees 50% less scrubbing, is tough on grease, and is made with biodegradable surfactants .

2. Use baking soda and vinegar to scrub

Cleaning with baking soda is an excellent way to remove burnt on food, but when mixed in equal parts with cleaning vinegar, the blend is guaranteed to get your oven racks looking shiny and new again. It's a cheap, natural, and effective method without harsh chemicals.

'To clean an oven rack naturally, you can use baking soda and vinegar in a bathtub,' says Michael Silva-Nash, executive VP of Molly Maid. Alternatively, you can just use a large bowl or your kitchen sink. 'Put a towel down first to prevent scratching,' adds Silva-Nash.

'Then, sprinkle some baking soda over the oven rack and spray lightly with vinegar (using a spray bottle, such as the Great Value All Purpose Plastic Spray Bottle available at Walmart). Once the foaming stops, soak the rack in hot water for a few hours or overnight. In the morning, drain the bath and wipe the racks with a sponge or soft cloth,' after rinsing them under warm water.

We recommend using the bestselling HOMEXCEL Microfiber Cleaning Cloths available at Amazon for this, as they're lint-free and scratch-free, so won't damage your oven racks or cause crevices for grime to stick in.

'This method is budget-friendly and doesn't require any harsh chemicals,' says Logan Taylor, cleaning expert at Dazzle Clean Company.

You can also use lemon to clean instead of vinegar. In both cases, if you're using your bath or sink, we would recommend doing a spot test to ensure the combination doesn't tarnish the finishes. Better still, use a large, plastic container.

3. Use aluminum foil

There are two ways you can clean an oven rack with aluminum foil. First up, you can simply use foil as a scourer.

'To remove stubborn or burnt on food, you can ball up some aluminum foil for some scrubbing action,' says Silva-Nash. 'If you do this while the rack is still in the oven, be sure to put something on the bottom of the oven to catch everything that falls off.'

Secondly, for a really deep clean, you can use the bath tub again. Wrap the racks in aluminum foil, not forgetting to put your towel down, and place them in the bath. Cover the racks with hot water and throw in a couple of dishwasher tablets, such as the Cascade Platinum Plus ActionPacs Dishwasher Detergent Pods available at Amazon.

Leave to soak over night before unwrapping the racks and wiping down with a soft cloth.

4. Use dishwasher detergent

If you don't have baking soda or white vinegar to hand, you can use powdered dishwasher or laundry detergent to clean your oven racks. 'If you're short on time, you can use dish washing tablets,' says Taylor, who recommends the Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner available at Amazon. 'These tablets are designed to break down grease, so they work well for oven racks.'

Simply wet the racks and rub a dish washing tablet directly on stained areas, advises Taylor. 'For even better results, dissolve the tablet in hot water and soak the racks for an hour before scrubbing,' or overnight.

These tend to be quite harsh on the skin so wear gloves.

You can also use liquid detergent. Sabrina Fierman, of luxury cleaning firm New York's Little Elves, says. ''First, line your bathtub or plastic container with an old towel to avoid scratching it, then place racks on top and cover with hot water and half a cup of dish detergent.

'Leave the racks in the soapy water solution overnight for about 12 hours, and make sure that nobody will have to use the bathtub during this time.'

Then, drain the water and rinse with a soft cloth or sponge.

5. Use ammonia

'For extremely dirty oven racks, the ammonia method is highly effective,' says Taylor. First, place the oven racks in a large, sturdy trash bag. Taylor recommends the Glad ForceFlex Drawstring Trash Bags available at Amazon, which use Glad's patented dual layer protection to give extra flex around sharp edges and heavy loads, perfect for cleaning oven racks.

'Add about 1/4 cup of ammonia, seal the bag tightly, and leave it outdoors for several hours, preferably overnight,' adds Taylor. 'The fumes from the ammonia will loosen the grime. Once done, try to open the bag carefully in a well-ventilated area, and use a sponge (such as the #1 bestselling Scotch-Brite Zero Scratch Scrub Sponges available at Amazon) or scrubber to wipe away the loosened grease.

'Be sure to wear gloves and work in a ventilated area due to the strong fumes,' as ammonia is an irritant and requires protective gear.

If you have any breathing issues, it might be better to stick to baking soda, white vinegar, dishwasher detergent or a commercial cleaning product, as some experts consider ammonia a cleaning hack to avoid.

6. Use a commercial cleaning product

If crunched for time, or you've run out of elbow grease and need a more powerful product, Bar Keepers Friend available at Amazon is a great, effective product.

'First, use it to make a paste with water (following the manufacturers instructions) and brush it on the racks to cover them completely,' says Fierman. 'Let the paste sit for an hour, scrub with an abrasive sponge and rinse well.'

She adds it's the most effective method 'requiring very little time and elbow grease. Bar Keepers Friend will not damage your other kitchen surfaces if it splashes, but I'd still recommend doing this in the tub with an old towel to protect the tub.'

Jade Piper, operations manager for BetterCleans, recommends, Easy-Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner. 'I use it for my racks, and even for sheet trays,' she says. 'After heating up the oven, I take out the racks and spray them with Easy-Off, making sure everything is covered, and then I wait for 20 to 30 minutes. After that, I just give them a quick wipe or a light scrub then rinse.'

FAQs

Can I clean oven racks in the dishwasher?

While you can use your dishwasher to clean your oven racks, it's important to consider the condition of your oven racks, as this method will only be suitable for light cleaning. It may also cause wear and tear on your dishwasher, so it's usually better to try a better, more effective method.

'Oven racks that are well-maintained, like other appliances, enjoy a longer lifespan,' says Joseph Passalacqua, owner and CEO of Maid Sailors. 'So, it is imperative to clean it every few months depending on your usage, but in instances of spill or build up of grime, it is best to address it immediately.'

While you're in the scrubbing mood, learn how often you should clean your oven.