How To Clean Oven Racks With Dishwasher Tablets: A Super Easy Hack

My oven and racks were crying out for cleaning after hosting a big dinner the other night. While my husband is a fantastic chef, the kitchen tends to bear the brunt of his culinary masterpieces.


So, I hit the internet in search of the best ways to clean an oven and stumbled upon a clever hack by Smart Fox—how to clean oven racks with dishwasher tablets. This technique promised super easy cleaning with minimal effort, which sounded perfect for someone like me who prefers simplicity.


Let's dive into this easy and efficient cleaning tip.

Tools and Materials:

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Best ways to clean oven and racks
Best ways to clean oven and racks

1. Setting Up

I decided to use the oven tray as the base for my racks. I placed the tray and rack inside a bin bag and was ready to start the cleaning process.

Drop a dishwasher pod in hot water
Drop a dishwasher pod in hot water

2. Dishwasher Pod Magic

Next, I filled a bowl with hot water and dropped a dishwasher tablet inside, letting it dissolve before giving it a good stir.

Cleaning oven racks in the bathtub
Cleaning oven racks in the bathtub

3. Tub Time for Racks

I carried the bag to the bathtub and placed it inside. I ensured there was enough space at the top to tie it off easily.

How to clean oven racks with dishwasher pod
How to clean oven racks with dishwasher pod

4. Pouring the Magic Mix

The entire mixture of dishwasher soap went into the bag.

Add extra hot water
Add extra hot water

5. Extra Hot Water Splash

It’s important that the rack is completely covered, so I added extra boiling water with my hand shower.

Removing stuck-on dirt from oven racks
Removing stuck-on dirt from oven racks

6. Securing and Waiting

Now, I tied off the top to prevent water from escaping, and I left it to sit for a few hours.

Easy oven rack cleaning at home
Easy oven rack cleaning at home

7. Effortless Scrubbing

After letting it sit, I came back and emptied the bag. I would recommend placing a sink strainer over the drain hole to collect the debris and make sure it doesn't clog the pipes.


Now, the fun part—scrubbing the racks. No jokes, it was incredibly easy! In just 5 minutes, both sides were spotless, and the stuck-on dirt practically peeled off.


I did add a drop of baking soda, for one small section, that was a bit more stubborn and that did the trick.

Remove stubborn stains from oven racks
Remove stubborn stains from oven racks

9. Rinse and Buff

After the scrub, I rinsed the racks and added the finishing touch with a microfiber cloth buff.


I am really impressed with the ease of this kitchen cleaning trick. I put in very little effort for sparkling results.


More Oven Cleaning Tips

Learn more about the basics of oven upkeep in our How to Clean an Oven guide.

Quick and effective household cleaning hacks
Quick and effective household cleaning hacks

How to Clean Oven Racks with Dishwasher Tablets

This cleaning tip is a game-changer, I highly recommend giving it a try the next time your oven racks need some TLC.


I'm curious to hear your thoughts and ideas on how to clean oven racks easily—share them in the comments below!

Frequently asked questions
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3 of 7 questions
  • Cheryl Pierce Cheryl Pierce on Nov 20, 2023
    My husband and I have had 14 apartments and can you imagine thru 20 years how many ovens I have cleaned!!! I hate the job-On our rental walk-thru I put $125. charge (in later years) for an unclean oven and then had them initial this so they could not say that they had not read this. I never cleaned an oven again, but I did use the oven cleaner and bag for years. Love this idea as it has a nice scent also. Could I use this on some old cookie sheets? Christmas is coming and it would be nice to activate these sometimes funny looking items in my kitchen.
  • Rhonda Rhonda on Nov 20, 2023
    Can you use dishwashing liquid.
  • Judy French Judy French on Nov 20, 2023
    How to clean badly stained tile kitchen floors?
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4 of 26 comments
  • Kimberlee Lawrence Kimberlee Lawrence on Nov 21, 2023
    Although it seems to have worked well, I am concerned that the harsh chemicals of the dishwasher detergent, which we all know is tough on everything from skin to metal, could be too hard on the chrome of your racks. Having messed up the iron burner grids of a six-burner Wolfe gas stove on the advice of a friend, I just warn you that sometimes there are dire consequences to helpful hints. Luckily my stove was still under warranty, The company covered my monumental mess and sent me new grids. (The cost of shipping alone was staggering!) KL
  • Mamabear318 Mamabear318 on Nov 21, 2023
    Thank you for sharing but there is absolutely NO way that the water from your shower is boiling. Normal hot water temp isb120 to 130 (less if yiu have small children). Water boils at 212. The hot water tank could NOT handle boiling water and that bag would melt.
    • See 1 previous
    • Ann Ann on Nov 26, 2023
      Sorry, but I sold water heaters for years and unless they changes them. They are set at 160 degrees from the factory. If not that high then you are not killing germs in the dishwasher. Ok most people do lower there thermostat temps on them now and buy dishwashers that are now available to get the water after it fills if the temperature is too low.
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