Cleaning oven racks ranks high on most people’s list of dreaded chores, but there’s an easy trick that makes it almost effortless: dryer sheets and dish soap. My aunt introduced me to this simple hack, and after trying it once, I couldn’t believe how well it worked — no harsh scrubbing, no expensive cleaners, and no scratched metal.

Here’s what you’ll need: five to ten dryer sheets, a quarter cup of dish soap, a bathtub or large sink, hot water, and a soft sponge. Start by filling your tub with hot water and adding the dish soap. Toss in the dryer sheets, then submerge your oven racks completely. Let them soak for at least four hours, or overnight if possible — the longer they sit, the easier the cleanup will be.

Once the soak is done, wipe each rack with one of the wet dryer sheets. The grime and grease will slide off with minimal effort. That’s because the fabric softeners and static-fighting agents in dryer sheets help loosen baked-on residue, while the dish soap cuts through grease. This combination lifts away buildup without damaging the metal finish.

For extra-tough spots, add a few tablespoons of baking soda to the soak. When you’re finished, rinse and dry the racks thoroughly before returning them to your oven. The result? Shiny, spotless racks that look nearly new — and a method that turns a dreaded task into a surprisingly easy one. Sometimes the best cleaning tricks are hiding in plain sight, right in your laundry room.