The Aluminum Foil Hack That Comes In Handy When Cleaning Your Grimy Oven Racks

Cleaning oven racks is one of those chores that most people put off for as long as possible. It's messy, awkward, and usually requires a lot of elbow grease. You can't toss them in the dishwasher, and scrubbing them by hand often feels like a full-body workout. Plus, oven racks are made of thin metal wires, which makes them weirdly annoying to scrub. Sponges don't always get into the little corners, and the grime can cling to the grooves. So, it's no surprise that most people try to avoid it altogether — even if you really should be cleaning your oven at least twice a year. However, those racks collect a lot of grease and grime that, over time, can actually affect how evenly your oven cooks your food.

While there are a lot of tips and tricks for a sparkling oven, a clever foil hack can make the whole process way easier— and way cheaper. Instead of loading up on expensive cleaning products or running through a million scrub sponges, you can reach for something you probably already have in your kitchen drawer: a roll of aluminum foil. When paired with a little Dawn dish soap and some warm water, tin foil can double as a powerful scrubber that gets the job done, without damaging your racks. It's a budget-friendly, low-effort solution that saves you the hassle of having to go out and buy anything new. Just grab what you've got in your kitchen and get started.

Start by removing your oven racks and placing them in your sink. If they're too big to lie flat, just get them wet with warm water. This step helps loosen up stubborn grease and grime. Then, tear off a piece of aluminum foil and crumple it into a loose ball. Wet the foil ball slightly, squeeze a small amount of Dawn dish soap onto it, and start scrubbing your racks like you would with a steel wool sponge.

The foil is strong enough to cut through baked-on gunk without scratching the metal, and the soap helps break down grease so it lifts easier. If your racks are really caked up, let them soak in hot soapy water before scrubbing. You can also repeat the process with a fresh foil ball if it starts to fall apart. You can also add baking soda for extra scrubbing power, or spray some vinegar for stuck-on grime. Another easy way to clean your oven rack is by wrapping your racks in aluminum foil, putting them in your hot water filled bathtub, and dropping a dishwasher tablet in. The dishwasher detergent and tin foil will create a reaction that can clean the gunk away. Whether you go full DIY or keep it simple, using foil is an easy no-fuss way to clean your oven racks and skip the stress.