10 Natural Ways To Clean Oven Racks Without Using Harsh Chemicals

Let’s face it cleaning oven racks is one of the most dreaded kitchen tasks. Caked-on grease, baked-in spills, and stubborn residue can make those metal grids feel impossible to restore.

And while commercial cleaners promise results, they often come with harsh fumes and skin irritation. The good news?

You probably already have everything you need at home to get your racks gleaming no heavy chemicals required. Here’s how to tackle the grime with simple, safe ingredients from your kitchen and bathroom.

1. Baking Soda and Vinegar Soak

The fizzing reaction between baking soda and vinegar creates cleaning magic for stubborn oven rack grime. Line your bathtub with old towels to prevent scratches, then place the racks inside.

Fill the tub with enough hot water to cover the racks, then add 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of white vinegar.

The mixture will immediately start bubbling that’s the cleaning action breaking down grease! Let everything soak overnight (at least 8 hours). In the morning, scrub the racks with a non-abrasive brush or sponge. Most of the grime will wipe right off, leaving your racks looking almost new again.

2. Lemon Juice and Salt Paste

Lemons contain natural acids that dissolve grease while salt provides gentle abrasion. Cut 3-4 lemons in half and squeeze their juice into a bowl, then mix with 1/2 cup of salt until you form a thick paste.

Remove the racks and place them on a large towel or in your bathtub. Spread the lemon-salt mixture generously over both sides of the racks, focusing on the grimiest areas. The acidic nature of lemons helps break down baked-on food residue. Allow this mixture to sit for 2-3 hours.

Afterward, use the leftover lemon halves as scrubbers to work the mixture into stubborn spots before rinsing thoroughly with warm water.

3. Boiling Water and Baking Soda

When you’re short on time but need clean racks fast, this method delivers impressive results. Start by placing your oven racks in a large sink or washbasin that can withstand high temperatures.

Boil a large pot of water and carefully pour it over the racks until they’re completely submerged. Immediately add 1/2 cup of baking soda it will create a gentle foaming action that helps loosen baked-on food particles.

Let the racks soak for 30 minutes, then use a dish brush to scrub away the loosened grime. This technique works especially well for racks with moderate buildup rather than years of accumulated grease.

4. Dish Soap and Dryer Sheets

This surprising hack uses the fabric softening agents in dryer sheets to help dissolve stubborn grease. Fill your bathtub with enough warm water to cover the racks, then add 1/2 cup of dish soap and stir to distribute it evenly.

Place 6-8 dryer sheets directly on top of the racks, making sure they make contact with the metal surfaces. The antistatic properties in the sheets help break the bond between the metal and the grease buildup. Leave everything to soak overnight.

In the morning, use the now-softened dryer sheets as your cleaning cloths to wipe away the loosened grime. A light scrubbing is usually all that’s needed to reveal clean, shiny racks.

5. White Vinegar Spray

If you’re dealing with light soil rather than heavy buildup, a vinegar spray offers a quick cleaning solution. Fill a spray bottle with undiluted white vinegar and place your racks outside on a sunny day or in a large plastic garbage bag. Spray the racks thoroughly on both sides, ensuring every bar is coated with vinegar.

The acetic acid in vinegar naturally dissolves grease while the sun helps activate the cleaning power. Allow the vinegar to work for 1-2 hours, reapplying if it dries too quickly.

Then use a scrub brush to remove the loosened grime before rinsing with a garden hose or in your shower. This method works best for maintenance cleaning rather than deeply neglected racks.

6. Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda

This powerful combo creates an oxygen-rich cleaning paste that lifts stains without scrubbing. Mix 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide (the standard 3% kind from your medicine cabinet) with 1/2 cup of baking soda until you get a spreadable paste.

Apply this mixture generously to your oven racks, focusing on the most soiled areas. The paste will start bubbling slightly as the peroxide releases oxygen, which helps break down the carbon deposits and burnt-on food. Wait 2-3 hours, then rinse with warm water.

For stubborn spots, try a second application or gently scrub with a soft brush. This method is particularly effective on those dark, burned-on stains that seem impossible to remove.

7. Castile Soap and Hot Water

Castile soap offers plant-based cleaning power that’s tough on grease but gentle on your hands and the environment. Find a container large enough to hold your racks – a plastic storage bin works perfectly for this method.

Fill it with very hot water and add 1/4 cup of liquid castile soap. The natural oils in the soap help dissolve grease while remaining biodegradable and eco-friendly. Submerge your racks completely and allow them to soak for 6-8 hours or overnight.

When time’s up, use a sponge to wipe away the loosened grime, then rinse thoroughly. This method leaves behind a pleasant natural scent instead of harsh chemical fumes.

8. Aluminum Foil Scrub

When elbow grease is needed, aluminum foil creates a surprisingly effective scrubbing tool that won’t scratch your racks. Tear off a sheet of aluminum foil about 12 inches long and crumple it into a ball about the size of your palm. Dip the foil ball into a solution of warm water mixed with a few drops of dish soap.

The chemical reaction between the aluminum and the steel racks actually helps break down the stuck-on food particles. Scrub in small circular motions, applying moderate pressure to stubborn spots.

The foil conforms to the shape of the rack bars, cleaning all surfaces evenly. This method works best for racks with moderate buildup and is perfect when you don’t have specialized cleaning tools.

9. Salt and Baking Soda Paste

When you need extra scrubbing power without harsh chemicals, this abrasive paste delivers excellent results. Mix equal parts table salt and baking soda (about 1/2 cup each) with just enough water to create a thick, spreadable paste.

Apply this mixture generously to your oven racks, working it into the metal grid with your fingers or a soft brush. The salt crystals provide gentle abrasion while baking soda helps neutralize grease and food acids.

Let the paste sit for 15-20 minutes to soften the grime, then scrub with a damp sponge or brush. This method is especially effective for spot-cleaning trouble areas without soaking the entire rack.

10. Steam Cleaning in the Bathtub

Transform your bathroom into a cleaning station with this simple steam method. Line your bathtub with old towels, place the racks on top, then fill the tub with the hottest water your tap can produce until the racks are fully submerged. Add 1/2 cup of dish soap and stir to dissolve.

The steam and hot water work together to soften baked-on food while the soap helps break down grease. The towels prevent the racks from scratching your tub’s surface.

Let everything soak for 1-2 hours, then drain half the water and use a scrub brush to clean the racks while they’re still partially submerged. This method leverages the power of steam without any special equipment.