When's the last time you cleaned your oven racks? There's no denying that they accumulate grease, grime, and baked-on food residues over time. And, whether you realize it not, neglect can affect the flavor of your dishes.

The longer it's put off, the tougher the job becomes. To bolster our own motivation, we rounded up a bunch of ways to clean your oven racks.

What causes oven grease build-up?

Oven racks take a beating. Simply, the grease from spills, splatters, and molecules circulated in that convection oven fan are repeatedly baked by the high temperatures. As it circulates, it adheres to the metal.

I can't promise that your baked-on mess will be easy to clean, but if you commit to care on a regular basis, the task is always easier. 

Natural Cleaners vs. Commercial Oven Cleaner

Natural Cleaners:

Examples: baking soda, white vinegar, essential oils, or salt

Pros of Natural Cleaners:

• Environmentally friendly, generally safer for pets and children
• Often use common household ingredients and tools
• No harsh chemical odors

Cons of Natural Cleaners:

• They'll take longer to work on baked-on gunk. Plan on more scrubbing and effort.

Chemical Cleaners

Examples: Easy-Off Oven Cleaner (we also like the fume-free product), Zep Oven Cleaner, Goo Gone Oven Cleaner

Pros of Chemical Cleaners:

• Stronger and more effective on stubborn stains
• Often require less physical effort

Cons of Chemical Cleaners:

• Harsh chemicals and toxic fumes may pose health and environmental risks. Plan to ventilate your home, or do this cleaning outdoors.

Five Cleaning Methods

1. Dish Detergent/Dishwasher Detergent Pods/Tablets

1. Fill your bathtub (or a large, flat basin, like an under-bed plastic storage bin) with hot water.
2. Choose your cleaner: Use either cup of dish soap (a grease cutting dish soap like Dawn), or two dishwasher pods/tablets into the water.
3. Submerge: Let the oven rack soak for 4-6 hours or overnight.
4. Scrub: Use a green scrubbie or an old toothbrush to remove softened grime.

2. Oven Cleaner + Trash Bag

Using basic oven cleaner is obvious, but Gregg Weaver, Bounty Digital Director of Innovation shared that a trash bag helps when you need a deeper cleaning:

1. Protect the area: Place the oven racks in a large trash bag. Set the bag on newspapers on the ground outside or in a well-ventilated area.
2. Apply oven cleaner: Spray the racks liberally with a fume-free oven cleaner.
3. Bag it up: Close the trash bag, trapping the cleaner's fumes and allowing the product to work.
4. Soak: Let the racks sit in the bag for the time recommended on the cleaner's label, or leave them overnight.
5. Wipe and rinse: Use Bounty paper towels or a non-abrasive scrubber to remove the loosened grime. Rinse the racks thoroughly with water and dry them.

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3. Ammonia + Trash Bag 

**Never mix ammonia and other cleaning agents! Only use ammonia outdoors in a well-ventilated area.

1. Protect yourself: Pull on rubber gloves. Take the oven rack to a well-ventilated area.
2. Treat the racks: Place the oven rack in a large sealable plastic bag or a trash bag. Add 1/2 cup of ammonia to the bag, coating the rack
3. Seal and wait: Seal the bag and let it sit overnight in the well-ventilated area.
4. The next day, open the bag outdoors. Never indoors.
5. Rinse: Rinse the rack thoroughly with water.

4. Bar Keeper's Friend

1. Set up your space: Lay the oven rack flat in the bathtub or in a large, flat plastic bin.
2. Treat stains: Wet with water, then sprinkle Bar Keeper's Friend over the rack, focusing on areas with stains and baked-on grease.
3. Clean surfaces: Scrub the rack with a scrub brush or magic eraser.
4. Rinse: Rinse the rack thoroughly with water.

5. Dryer Sheets

This gentle approach is best for a regular cleaning, not deep cleaning.

1. Prepare for cleaning: Wet the oven rack with a spray bottle of water.
2. Apply dryer sheets: Place a few dryer sheets on the rack so they stick to moistened areas.
3. Spray water on top of the dryer sheets for added adhesion.
4. Wait it out: Let them sit for a few hours.
5. Clean dirty areas: You can re-spray the racks, then use the dryer sheets themselves to scrub away loosened residues.
6. Rinse: Rinse the rack thoroughly with water.

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Are steel wool pads safe for cleaning oven racks?

Sure, they're effective, but could scratch some oven rack coatings. If you're going to try it, use a medium or fine-grade product, and test an inconspicuous area first.

Does the self-cleaning cycle also clean racks?

Most self-cleaning ovens are designed to clean the interior surfaces, including the oven racks; however, some manufacturers advise against leaving certain types of racks in the oven during self-cleaning, so consult your oven's manual for specific instructions.

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Can I use white vinegar for oven cleaning if I don’t want to use harsh chemicals?

Yes, as far as non-toxic cleaners go, vinegar can break down light grease and food debris, but be ready for some elbow grease.

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, spritz it over the oven interior or racks, and let it sit for 15–20 minutes before wiping with a damp microfiber cloth.

For stubborn spots, sprinkle baking soda first, then spray vinegar to create a gentle fizzing reaction that lifts grime.

What’s the best way to clean stainless steel oven trays without scratching them?

Avoid abrasive sponges and opt for a soft nylon scrub brush or microfiber cloth.

You can also crease a paste with baking soda and a splash of lemon juice or distilled white vinegar, and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing.

Rinse thoroughly with warm water and dry immediately to prevent streaks or water spots.