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If you’ve been putting off cleaning your oven racks, we don’t blame you. After all, who wants to spend what feels like hours scrubbing burnt-on bits of food and grime? Luckily, our resident cleaning expert shared with us the easiest way to clean oven racks. We tapped Carolyn Forté, the executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute US Cleaning Lab, for advice on the best products and methods to use to clean your oven racks. With her tips, you can check this chore off your list in about 20 minutes.
And if you’re truly on a roll after cleaning your oven racks, we also have tips on how to clean your microwave, your stainless steel appliances and your dishwasher.
How to clean oven racks with washing-up liquid
What you’ll need
Wash your racks in the sink with warm, soapy water. (If you require more space for scrubbing, you can also clean oven racks in the bath – just lay down towels first to prevent scratching). For stubborn gunk and grime, try a grease-cutting dish spray, such as Fairy Skip The Soak Power Spray Fresh. Spray dirty oven racks with a dish spray and let them sit in the sink or bath for several minutes. Scrub your racks with a medium- or heavy-duty scouring pad (depending on how dirty they are). Then, rinse racks clean and allow them to air dry on the counter or hand-dry with a tea towel before reinserting into the oven.
How to clean oven racks with oven cleaner
If your racks are especially dirty (think burnt food and tough grease), it might be best to try an oven cleaner. We always recommend that you first remove your oven racks. Keep in mind some oven cleaners can damage wood or stone surfaces, so cover your workstation in several layers of newspaper or clean the racks outside.
Below are a few of our favourites and how to use them, but always follow the instructions listed on the package. Also, take a look at your appliance manufacturer’s recommendations – some may suggest only using an oven cleaner to spot clean.
GH tip: Always wear gloves during deep cleans.
- Oven Brite Complete Oven: Oven Brite is a no-scrub oven cleaning kit – all you need to do is soak the racks in a bag with the solution and apply the rest directly to the oven cavity. Allow it to sit for at least 4 hours (ideally overnight). Wear protective gloves, avoid using on aluminium, zinc or self-cleaning surfaces, and rinse thoroughly with hot soapy water once done.
- Mr Muscle Oven Cleaner: This came out as our testers’ favourite budget buy, highlighted for being effective yet simple. Simply spray directly on to the racks, glass door or oven cavity till evenly coated. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes then use a damp sponge to remove, washing the racks in soap warm water.
FAQs
Should I clean my oven racks with bicarbonate of soda?
You can clean oven racks with bicarb, sprinkling it on to racks and scrubbing with a sponge or scouring pad, then finishing with a rinse. While this cleaning method may work for lightly soiled racks, we don’t suggest using it to deep clean oven racks. Bicarb is a mild abrasive, so this method could require intense scrubbing and rinsing.
Should I clean my oven racks with vinegar?
Some choose to create a paste by mixing white vinegar with bicarb, but we don’t recommend this method. Mixing bicarb and vinegar together is only effective while the mixture is bubbling, which won’t last long.
Should I clean my oven racks with dishwasher tablets or detergent?
Some recommend soaking dirty oven racks in warm water mixed with dishwasher detergent, but we don’t. Not only does this method require you to soak oven racks overnight in the sink or bathtub, but it isn’t any more effective than using washing-up liquid. Plus, your warm water won’t stay warm for long, making the detergent less effective. ‘Dishwashers periodically heat the water throughout the cycle,’ says Carolyn. ‘You can’t do that in your sink or bath without diluting the mixture.’
GHI Best oven cleaners
Score: 91/100
Score: 86/100
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
