Here's How Laundry Detergent Can Get Your Oven Racks Sparkling Clean

If you use your oven to prepare dishes regularly, it's bound to get dirty. And that includes the racks. Accidental spills, baked-on and burnt food items, and accumulated grease will leave your oven racks sticky and filthy in no time. However, if you're dreading cleaning the grimy framework, here's an effective and easy way to get your oven racks sparkling clean. Simply soak the frame in your preferred laundry detergent — liquid or powder — to bid stuck-on gunk goodbye.

While you might be tempted to use the self-cleaning mechanism on your oven, don't give in to the temptation, as the heat during the cleaning process will damage the racks. So why not use the laundry detergent hack to remove the grease and grime? You won't have to fork over extra money for special cleaning products or spend the better part of your day scrubbing the frames. All you need for this cleaning project is an old towel (or large cloth), a container big enough to accommodate the racks (your bathtub will work in a pinch), a sponge or toothbrush, and laundry detergent.

Begin by donning a pair of heat-protectant gloves and placing the towel on the bottom of the bathtub (or container). This will prevent the dirty oven racks from scraping the tub's surface. Once done, place the frames on top of the towel. Now, plug the drain and fill the tub with hot water until the racks are immersed. It's necessary to use hot water for this hack to loosen the stuck-on food particles and the grease.

After submerging the racks, pour ¾ cup of laundry detergent into the tub and move it around to let it become one with the water. While you can use liquid or powder detergent for this hack, the powder works better due to its abrasive nature. That's it. Let the racks sit in the tub overnight or at least six to 10 hours if you can't wait that long.

Finally, lift the frame out of the water and scrub it with a sponge to clean it. You can use a soft-bristled toothbrush to get the nooks and crannies, too. Once you're done, drain and wash the tub before drying the racks with a soft cloth and placing them back in the oven.