Prepare the Bath
Start by filling your bathtub or large sink with enough hot water to fully submerge your oven racks. The hotter, the better, as heat helps loosen the grime more effectively.
Add Dish Soap
Squirt a generous amount of dish soap into the water—roughly a quarter cup for a standard bathtub should suffice. This grease-fighting soap will start working on any oil buildup immediately.
Layer in Dryer Sheets
Take 5-10 dryer sheets and toss them into the soapy water. Make sure they are evenly distributed across the surface to ensure maximum coverage over the racks.
Submerge the Oven Racks
Place your dirty oven racks into the water, making sure they are completely submerged. You may need to weigh them down with a dish or pot if they float up due to the shape of the tub.
Let Them Soak
This is the beauty of this method—let the racks soak for at least 4 hours, but overnight soaking works best if you can leave them that long. The water, soap, and dryer sheets will do most of the work while you relax.
Wipe Down the Racks
After the racks have soaked for several hours, you’ll notice that much of the grime has already loosened or dissolved. Use one of the wet dryer sheets to gently wipe down the racks. The sheet’s soft texture will scrub away the remaining residue without scratching the metal.
Rinse and Dry
Once the racks are cleaned to your satisfaction, rinse them thoroughly under hot water to remove any lingering soap or grime. Dry them off with a clean towel or let them air dry before placing them back in the oven.
Why This Method Works
This cleaning method works for several reasons. The fabric softeners and static-reducing chemicals in dryer sheets are highly effective at loosening up stubborn, baked-on grime without requiring elbow grease. When soaked in hot, soapy water, the chemicals penetrate deep into the gunk, making it easier to wipe away. The added dish soap cuts through the oily residue that often coats oven racks, making the entire process a breeze.
The best part? This method requires very little scrubbing. You don’t need to scour the metal with harsh steel wool or abrasive pads that can scratch or damage the racks over time. The dryer sheets gently scrub the metal without being abrasive, so your racks will not only be clean but will also stay in good condition.
Extra Tips for Stubborn Grime
If you have spots that are particularly grimy or difficult to clean, you can use a soft sponge or a non-abrasive scrubber to lightly scrub those areas after soaking. The grime should come off easily with minimal effort.
For heavily burnt-on stains, you can add a bit of baking soda to the water to boost the cleaning power. The slight abrasiveness of the baking soda will help lift off any charred spots.
If you don’t have dryer sheets, you can try aluminum foil rolled into a ball as a substitute. While it’s not as soft, it can still be effective for lightly scrubbing the racks.
Why You Should Try This Hack
If you’ve ever tried to scrub oven racks with a wire brush or abrasive cleaner, you know how exhausting and time-consuming it can be. This trick saves you both time and effort. By allowing the dryer sheets to do the work while the racks soak, you free up your time for other things and avoid the backbreaking labor of scrubbing each bar. Plus, this method is affordable and uses items you probably already have at home.
Not only will your oven racks be spotless and gleaming, but your kitchen will also smell pleasantly fresh thanks to the scented dryer sheets.
My aunt’s trick to clean oven racks with dryer sheets and dish soap has changed the way I approach this otherwise unpleasant task. It requires minimal work, no scrubbing, and leaves your oven racks looking like new with very little hassle. Whether you’re cleaning your oven for the holidays or just trying to keep your kitchen in order, this method will save you time and frustration. So next time you dread tackling your grimy oven racks, give this hack a try—you won’t be disappointed!
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