Cleaning oven racks is one of those chores most people dread — but it doesn’t have to be. My aunt once shared a trick so simple and effective that I haven’t picked up a heavy scrub brush since. The secret? A combination of dryer sheets and dish soap. It sounds unusual, but this clever hack cuts through baked-on grease with almost no effort, leaving your racks gleaming and your kitchen smelling fresh.
Here’s how it works. You’ll need 5–10 dryer sheets, about ¼ cup of dish soap, a bathtub or large sink, hot water, and a soft sponge. Start by filling the tub with hot water and adding the dish soap. Drop in the dryer sheets and fully submerge your oven racks. Let them soak for at least four hours—or overnight if you can. Once the grime has loosened, use a damp dryer sheet to wipe each rack clean, then rinse and dry before placing them back in the oven.
The science behind this hack is surprisingly simple. The softening agents and static-fighting properties in dryer sheets help break down stubborn residue, while the dish soap cuts through oil and grease. The result is a powerful cleaning combination that requires minimal scrubbing and won’t scratch the metal finish. For especially tough stains, sprinkle baking soda into the soak before you begin for an extra boost of cleaning power.
When you’re done, you’ll be amazed at how effortlessly the grime lifts away. What used to take hours of scrubbing can now be handled overnight with common household items. It’s an affordable, gentle, and effective method that leaves your oven racks sparkling like new — proof that sometimes, the best cleaning secrets are the simplest ones.