How to Clean Oven Racks Naturally

If you regularly use your oven, you probably know the struggle of cleaning it. As our ovens have many parts that tend to become greasy over time, it is helpful to know how to clean oven racks and shelves.

There are many oven rack cleaning products that you can easily find in a local store. However, most of them are filled with dangerous chemicals that release harmful fumes. So, is there any way to clean oven racks naturally? Of course, there is!

If you are someone who:

• Wondering how often you should clean oven racks;
• Wants to clean their oven racks using only natural products; 
• Wants to know what are the best ways to clean oven racks;

Here you will learn how to effectively clean oven racks with baking soda, vinegar, foil, and dishwasher tablets.

How to clean oven racks naturally with baking soda and vinegar

Use the following items: 

• Baking soda – if you don’t have any, you can use borax;
• Distilled white vinegar; 
• A scrub pad, or an old toothbrush if you don’t have a pad; 
• An old towel;

Here’s how to clean oven racks with white vinegar and baking soda: 

1. Place the old towel in a dry tub or a big basin, if you don’t have one. 
2. Put the oven racks inside and generously pour the white vinegar on them. 
3. Add the baking soda and wait for around 10-15 minutes. 
4. The two ingredients should start foaming. When that is complete, fill the tub or basin with hot water so that it covers the racks completely, and let them soak overnight. 
5. The next day, scrub the racks with a scrub pad or with a toothbrush to remove any grime that is still stuck. 
6. If there is any stubborn dirt left, you can add kosher salt to the water. The mixture will turn into an abrasive cleaner. 
7. When you are satisfied with the results, just rinse with water and let the oven racks air dry.

How to clean oven racks with dish soap

Dish soap is another everyday product that has proven itself as a useful and versatile cleaning solution for nearly everything: carpets, wallpapers, upholstery and even limestone fireplaces. 

Here is how you can use it to clean your oven racks: 

1. Again, you will need a tub or a very big basin with an old towel at the bottom. 
2. Put the racks inside and fill the tub/basin with hot water so that everything is covered. 
3. Add ½ cup of your dishwashing soap. 
4. You can combine this with the previous method and add some vinegar and baking soda; 
5. Allow the racks to soak overnight in a cleaning solution. 
6. The morning after, you can use the old towel to scrub the leftover grease and grime. If there are more persistent areas, you can use an old toothbrush to take care of them or add salt to the tool you are using to make it more abrasive. 
7. Once the racks are clean and shiny, rinse them well with water and let them air dry before returning them to the oven.

How to clean oven racks in the bathtub with foil and dishwasher tablets

That’s one of the best ways to clean oven racks, and it’s pretty straightforward.

1. Wrap the oven racks in aluminium foil and place them in a bathtub filled with hot water.
2. Then add two dishwasher tablets to the water and let them react with the foil for a few hours (the more, the better) and drain the tub.
3. After removing the foil, the grease and burnt-on food should be very easy to wipe away.

Cleaning oven racks in the dishwasher

Cleaning your oven racks in the dishwasher is the most hassle-free way to remove any stubborn and greasy residues. Oven racks are dishwasher safe so if you have enough space in your appliance, then give it a try. However, before putting oven racks in the dishwasher, make sure to remove burnt-on food particles.

Why can’t you self-clean oven racks?

Having a self-cleaning oven might make you think there is no point in cleaning oven racks by hand. Self-cleaning cycles can damage the coating on oven racks, making them harder to slide in and out. It would also likely destroy the finish of any chrome or stainless steel racks. This is why we recommend you clean this important part of your oven by hand and with natural products. It will help keep your oven in good working order, and there will be no dangerous fumes escaping and polluting the air.

Book a professional oven-cleaning service

Even though these methods can be quite easy, they can still take a lot of time, especially if you have to clean the whole oven and not just the racks. Save yourself the trouble and call Fantastic Services today to book a professional oven cleaning technician. They use a highly effective dip tank method that includes disassembling the whole oven and cleaning the parts separately. After that, the expert will put your oven back together and you will get to enjoy your shiny clean cooker again. Better food and more time with the people that really matter! Book your oven technician today!

Takeaways

• Taking the racks outside the oven makes them a lot easier to clean;
• Even if you have a self-cleaning feature in your appliance, it’s recommended that you don’t use it as often as it might damage the heating components in your oven;
• If you will be leaving your oven racks to soak in the tub, lock the room and keep any pets and children away from them;
• If you decide to go with a special detergent, we recommend using non-toxic, biodegradable solutions instead of harsh chemicals;
• Always wear rubber gloves when cleaning;

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What is your experience with cleaning oven racks naturally? Do you have any other tricks that we didn’t mention? Let us know in the comments down below and if you find this article useful, don’t forget to share it with your family and friends!