Asked on Oct 07, 2019

How do I clean rubber coated wire closet shelves?

Vita
by Vita

They are sticky and covered with dust too.

Removing the wire shelves to paint the walls of this storage closet.

Planning on scrubbing them w bleach and water mixture.

This shelf sat outside a few days in the rain.

Planning on scrubbing w bleach water as well.

Any better ideas?

  16 answers
  • Tinyshoes Tinyshoes on Oct 07, 2019

    Vita...I would try Dawn and warm water but it looks as if you could remove them and maybe soak in bathtub for a while. Good luck

    • Rene Purstell Rene Purstell on Oct 07, 2019

      I found these at Lowe’s and Amazon has them as well. One swipe and the dirt grime rust and more comes right off. One sheet goes a long way. I love these. And they make your hands soft too!

      comment photo
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  • Em Em on Oct 07, 2019

    A hand steamer will take the dirt off. They are not expensive. Target or Walmart should carry something like the Bissell steam shot. Steam wipe off with an old towel. The steamer will clean so many things and sanitize your home so it is worth the money. Sink faucets, around toilets, wheels on your car, etc. etc. it sanitizes as it loosens dirt with NO soap or chemicals.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Oct 07, 2019

    You can purchase a blind cleaner rather cheaply. I think I would pop the shelves out and wash in the tub.

  • Karl W Karl W on Oct 07, 2019

    Just washed a dozen purchased at garage sale. Using warm water and Dawn dish soap, laid shelving on the ground. hosed them off to get them wet and then swept them with old broom several passes, flipped them over.For hard to reach spots turned on end and repeated. Came out very clean all sticky grime gone.

  • Baxter Baxter on Oct 07, 2019

    Lay the shelves on concrete. Spray to wet with water hose. In a spray bottle, mix a cup of white vinegar with a cup of blue original Dawn dish detergent . Spray the mixture liberally on the shelves. Let sit for a few minutes. Use a scrub brush or clean broom to loosen the grime. Turn over and repeat. Spray with water hose to rinse. The Dawn cuts the grease and grime. The vinegar kills germs and leaves the surface squeaky clean and grease-free. Let shelves air dry. (I use the Dawn/Vinegar mixture for cleaning almost anything.) Good luck!

  • Ellis Ellis on Oct 07, 2019

    I'd hose them off outside, then spray them with Scrubbing Bubbles cleaner, which works great. Wait a few minutes, then scrub with a scrub brush or a dish washing brush. Hose off, and stand them up against something to dry.

  • William William on Oct 08, 2019

    Don't use anything solvent based products that can melt the coating. Dawn dish liquid and water would be safe.

  • Debi53 Debi53 on Oct 09, 2019

    Spray them with Spray Nine. This stuff is amazing! I use it on rental properties to clean anything greasy and dirty. Spray it on let it sit for a few minutes then scrub with a soft brush and rinse. Buy the large container and mix it in a spray bottle yourself--so much more economical. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Spray-Nine-1-Gal-Multi-Purpose-Cleaner-and-Disinfectant-26801/204713723

  • Vita Vita on Oct 10, 2019

    Thank you Debi53. I will look for Spray Nine for future use.

    I ended up using Bleach and water and really wiping it on and letting it set awhile in the Sun on a tarp in my driveway.


    The next day I used one of those hand held scrubber and going over the surface again then wiping it down with a heavy soft towel.


    Turned out great. Back breaking tho'.

  • Teresa Eason Teresa Eason on Aug 27, 2021

    Goo Gone works great. Just soak a paper towel with it and wip down. I rinsed the shelves with warm water once I was done. They look great. And, I purchased the closet maid shelf liner for wire shelves to protect them going forward.

  • Nancy Reese Hart Nancy Reese Hart on Jun 08, 2024

    Magic Eraser!

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jun 08, 2024

    Use a nail brush, tooth brush, dish brush,scrubbing brush etc.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Jun 09, 2024

    Make a bucket of warm soapy water with Blue Dawn dish soap and lay flat to wash, use a bristle brush or a broom, flip over and repeat. Rinse and let dry.

  • All objects should be taken down from rubber-coated wire closet shelves before vacuuming or using a microfiber cloth to dust the shelves. Use a soft-bristled brush to remove any tenacious dirt after wiping down with a cloth or sponge bathed in warm, soapy water. After using a fresh, damp cloth to rinse, completely dry with a towel. Lastly, before adding new things, let the shelves air dry fully and apply a disinfection wipe or spray if necessary.

  • Deb K Deb K on Jul 03, 2024

    Hello Vita, hope this helps you. I use a product called spray nine, it cuts grease and cleans really well. I also heard you can use a damp cloth with some goo gone on it., simply wipe the shelving down rinsing the cloth regularly and adding goo gone after each rinse.