How to Clean Oven Racks

As part of an Ovenclean service, we can easily restore the shine to your oven racks along with the rest of the oven: interior, glass, hob and all. But we understand the need to keep things shiny between deep cleans. Following our How to Clean a Microwave post, we’ve looked at a few different ways to clean oven racks and how to clean oven shelves. We have chosen our favourite method of cleaning oven racks (apart from using an Ovenclean technician of course) and included instructions for a nifty way to clean oven racks without scrubbing at all.

Cleaning the oven racks. man's hand in household cleaning gloves cleans oven racks inside.

Easiest Way to Clean Oven Racks

The easiest way to clean oven racks is by using a method that involves minimal scrubbing. Here’s a simple step-by-step process you can follow:

Materials Needed:

Baking soda or Bicarbonate of Soda (yes you can use Bicarbonate of Soda to clean oven racks)
Dish soap
White vinegar (optional)
Large plastic bin bag or a bathtub (optional)
Scrubbing brush or sponge

Method 1: Baking Soda and Dish Soap Soak (Recommended)

Remove the Oven Racks: Take the dirty oven racks out of the oven and place them in a bathtub, large sink, or lay them on a clean surface covered with old towels. Place old towels or tablecloths in the bottom of the bath. This will prevent your oven shelves from scratching the bath during the cleaning process
Prepare the Oven Rack Cleaning Solution:
- In a bowl, mix a paste of baking soda and water. You can add a little dish soap for extra grease-cutting power.
Coat the Racks: Spread the baking soda paste generously all over the oven racks. If you’re using a bathtub, you can also fill it with hot water and add some baking soda to the water to help loosen grime.
Soak for a Few Hours: Let the racks soak for at least 4-6 hours or overnight for heavy buildup. The baking soda will work to lift grease and grime.
Scrub: After soaking, use a scrubbing brush or sponge to scrub off the remaining debris. The dirt should come off easily.
Rinse: Rinse the racks thoroughly with warm water to remove any baking soda residue.
Dry: Dry the racks with a microfiber towel for extra shine or let them air dry.

Method 2: Quick Vinegar and Baking Soda (for Mild Cleaning)

Spray the Racks with White Vinegar: Place the oven racks on a towel or a surface that can be cleaned easily. Spray them with vinegar.
Apply Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda over the racks while the vinegar is still fizzy. The two ingredients will react and help loosen the grease and grime.
Let It Sit for 10-15 Minutes: Allow the mixture to sit for a while. This will help lift the dirt.
Scrub and Rinse: After the mixture has had time to work, scrub the racks and rinse them thoroughly with warm water.

Both methods are effective, but the soak with baking soda is generally the easiest and requires less effort to scrub!

How to Get Brown Stains Off My Oven Racks?

Brown stains on oven racks are usually caused by grease, food build-up, or burnt-on spills that have hardened over time. To remove brown stains on oven racks you can use the two methods above (Baking Soda and Dish Soap or Vinegar and Baking Soda). However, if the stains are really stubborn, a commercial oven cleaner may be necessary. These cleaners are designed to tackle tough grease and carbon build-up. Here’s how to use it:

Materials Needed:

Commercial oven cleaner (ensure it’s safe for oven racks)
Rubber gloves
Scrubbing brush or sponge

How to use an oven cleaner on oven racks:

Spray the Cleaner: In a well-ventilated area, spray the commercial oven cleaner onto the brown stains and greasy areas of the racks. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Let It Sit: Let the cleaner sit for the recommended amount of time (usually 10-20 minutes).
Scrub and Rinse: After the cleaner has had time to work, scrub the racks with a brush or sponge. The stains should come off easily. Rinse the racks thoroughly with warm water.
Dry: Dry the racks completely before placing them back in the oven.

Do Dishwasher Tablets Clean Oven Racks?

Yes, dishwasher tablets can be effective for cleaning oven racks. They contain powerful ingredients, like enzymes and detergents, that are designed to break down grease, grime, and food residue, making them useful for tough stains and build-up on oven racks. However, it is always best to proceed with caution. For more information, please take a look at our Can you clean an oven with a dishwasher tablet? blog here.

What Do Professionals Clean Oven Racks With?

Ovenclean, a professional oven cleaning service, uses unique no-added caustic cleaning solutions and tools to clean oven racks.

Ovenclean uses a no-added oven cleaning solution that is designed to break down and dissolve grease, grime, and burnt-on food residues without damaging the oven racks. This solution is safe for use around children and pets, plus the oven racks can be used again straight away.
The oven racks are usually removed from the oven and placed in a specialist cleaning bath outside the property. The solution used by Ovenclean is often heated, and the racks are soaked while the rest of the oven is cleaned to loosen built-up grease and grime. This method ensures that all the tough stains and dirt are softened before they are scrubbed away.
After soaking, Ovenclean specialists use brushes and scrubbing pads to gently scrub off any remaining residue from the oven racks. These tools are designed to remove the build-up without scratching or damaging the surface of the racks.
Once the cleaning solution has worked its magic, the racks are thoroughly rinsed and polished, leaving them with a shiny, spotless finish. This step ensures that the racks look as close to new as possible, without streaks or residue left behind.

Ovenclean relies on a combination of professional cleaning solutions, soaking, scrubbing, and polishing to restore oven racks to their pristine condition. This process is designed to be highly effective at removing even the toughest stains and build-up without damaging the oven racks.

So there you have a wealth of options for cleaning oven racks that will help you avoid scrubbing for hours. Of course, if you want to avoid cleaning the oven altogether, call us on 0800 840 7127, or complete our online form for your free quote.