Traditionally, cleaning oven racks would require the use of either powerful degreasers and caustic sodas or products like Gumption paired with a tonnes of elbow grease, or expensive steam cleaning equipment!
But with this trick, your oven racks will look shiny and new and you won’t have to fork out a cent, as the equipment required is probably already sitting in your laundry cupboard.
How to clean oven racks
Gather your supplies
- Old towel
- Soft sponge or cleaning toothbrush
- Cup of laundry detergent, powdered or liquid, doesn’t matter (alternatively, you can use a dishwashing tablet, a cup of Napisan, or a cup of regular dishwashing liquid)
- A bathtub or bucket enough to fit an oven rack
Step by step instructions
Step 1
Lay the old towel in the bottom of the bathtub. This will prevent the oven racks scratching the tub. Place the oven racks on top of the towel.
Step 2
Put the plug in the drain and fill the bath with water, gradually adding the laundry detergent as the bath fills. You can use either hot or cold water here, but Melissa recommends opting for hot water as this will help loosen up any grease while the laundry detergent gets to work. Fill the tub just enough that the racks are fully submerged in the water.
Step 3
Leave the oven racks to soak overnight or for 6-10 hours.
Step 4
Once the racks have finished soaking, use a soft sponge to gently lift any remaining caked on grease. It should lift away easily without scrubbing.
Step 5
Use a toothbrush to scrub any hard-to-reach places. Rinse the oven racks thoroughly in cold water and dry before placing back into the oven.
SAFETY TIP: This cleaning method may leave the bottom of your tub covered in a film of slippery grease. Be sure to wash your bathtub thoroughly when you’re done!
Want to get rid of grease all over the kitchen? Try these next:
How to clean greasy range hood filters
How to clean your oven in 5-minutes