Constantly in contact with dishwater, dishes, and kitchen tools in varying levels of cleanliness, dish racks can foster mildew and other stains. For tips on cleaning a dish rack (it’s easy!), follow the steps below.

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How to Clean a Dish Rack
How to Spot-Clean a Dish Rack
How to Prevent a Dish Rack from Rusting or Molding

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How to Clean a Dish Rack

Cleaning a dish rack is a lot like cleaning a dish. There are four easy steps.

What You Will Need

• Small scrub brush or toothbrush
• Dish soap
• Hot water
• Cloth

1. Dismantle

Take your dish rack apart if possible, for easier cleaning.

2. Scrub

Standing over your kitchen sink, wet your scrub brush or toothbrush with hot water, add a dab of dish soap, and gently scrub at stains to remove them. Make sure to scrub the entire rack thoroughly in addition to focusing on stains.

3. Rinse

Make sure to rinse off all the soapy water and inspect your dish rack for spots you may have missed.

4. Let Dry Completely

If your dish rack is metal, dry it off manually with an absorbent cloth or rag to prevent your clean dish rack from rusting. You can leave dish racks of other materials to dry in the sink or on a dish drying mat.

Tip!

If your dish rack is plastic or metal, it may be dishwasher-safe. Read the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure it can be washed in the dishwasher.

How to Spot-Clean a Dish Rack

If your dish drying rack has some hard-to-remove stains on it, try this method before following the basic cleaning instructions above. This method uses vinegar, which is a lot gentler than many store-bought disinfectants, including bleach.

What You Will Need

• White vinegar
• Sink basin or large bucket
• Scrub brush
• Cloth

1. Fill Your Basin With Hot Water & Vinegar

Fill your sink or large bucket with water and one cup of vinegar. There should be enough water to allow your dish rack to completely submerge.

2. Submerge Your Dish Rack & Soak

Make sure the entire rack is submerged. You should let it soak in warm water for 15 minutes to half an hour.

3. Drain & Scrub

The vinegar should have dissolved the buildup on your rack enough for it to wipe away easily. Use your scrub brush to clean as usual according to the instructions above.

4. Let It Dry

Let your dish rack dry completely before using it. If your dish rack is metal, dry it off with a cloth to prevent rust. Dish racks of other materials can be left in your sink or on a drying mat to dry.

Special Note for Wood or Bamboo Drying Racks:

Wood and bamboo drying racks require a little more care when cleaning. Instead of submerging them, spray them with the above vinegar solution and let them sit for about 15 minutes before wiping, rinsing, and drying completely. Let them dry in the sun to more effectively prevent mildew growth.

How to Prevent a Dish Rack from Rusting or Molding

The best method for preventing mildew, mold, and rust from forming on your dish rack is to clean it regularly and always make sure it is dried completely after use.

• Cleaning your dish rack once a week will ensure that mold and bacteria growth is at a minimum and will keep your rack looking new.
• Rust forms when metal is left exposed to water, so the quicker you can dry the water spots off of your rack, the smaller the chance it will rust.
• It’s also a good idea to be careful when handling sharp objects and kitchen tools around a metal or vinyl-coated metal dish rack, as scratches are more likely to harbor excess water and promote rusting.
• If your dish rack has fallen victim to small rust spots, you can dry the area out and gently wrap it with electrical tape to prevent the rust from spreading.
• If the rust formed on a joint or if it has begun to corrode the metal, it may be time to retire your dish rack and get a new one.

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