The Easiest Method for Cleaning Dirty Oven Racks

Cleaning dirty oven racks can be a daunting task, but it’s a necessary chore to maintain a clean and efficient oven. Over time, these racks accumulate grease, food particles, and baked-on residue, making them difficult to clean. Fortunately, there’s an easy and effective way to restore your oven racks to their sparkling best. In this article, we will guide you through the simplest method to clean your dirty oven racks, requiring minimal effort and using common household items.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Preparation: Start by gathering the necessary supplies. You will need a bathtub or a large sink, rubber gloves, a sponge or scrub brush, dishwashing liquid, baking soda, vinegar, and warm water. Ensure you have enough space to lay the oven racks flat.

Remove the racks: Carefully remove the oven racks from your oven and place them on a towel or a protective surface. This will prevent any scratches or damage to your bathtub or sink.

Soak in warm, soapy water: Fill your bathtub or sink with warm water and add a few squirts of dishwashing liquid. Submerge the oven racks in the soapy water and allow them to soak for at least 30 minutes. This will help loosen the grime and grease.

Scrub with baking soda paste: Create a paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water. Remove the racks from the soapy water and apply the baking soda paste to the surface of the racks. Focus on the areas with stubborn stains or residue. Let the paste sit for 15-20 minutes to allow it to work its magic.

Scrub and rinse: Put on your rubber gloves and use a sponge or scrub brush to gently scrub the oven racks, paying extra attention to the areas where the residue is most stubborn. The baking soda acts as an abrasive, helping to remove the grime. Rinse the racks thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining residue and baking soda.

Vinegar soak: For an extra boost, you can place the clean oven racks in a bathtub or sink and pour vinegar over them until they are fully submerged. Let them soak for another 15-20 minutes. The vinegar helps to dissolve any remaining grease and leaves the racks looking shiny and new.

Rinse and dry: After the vinegar soak, rinse the racks with warm water once again to remove any vinegar smell. Pat them dry with a clean towel or leave them to air dry.

Re-reported from the story originally published in Life Hacker