Guide · Kitchen and dishes ·
How to Clean a Dish Rack
Because a dish rack is where washed plates and glasses drain, it stays wet all the time; water collects in the drip tray, and detergent residue, limescale marks and dark spots form on the wires and in the corners. Because the dish rack is in direct contact with washed dishes, it is cleaned with dishwashing liquid and rinsed thoroughly. This guide explains how to clean plastic, metal and bamboo dish racks and the drip tray.
Before you start
- Empty it: remove the plates, glasses and cutlery from the dish rack.
- Take it apart: remove the drip tray, the cutlery basket and any removable racks.
- Check the label: check the manufacturer's information on whether it is dishwasher-safe.
How to clean a dish rack: step by step
- Fill the sink or a bowl with lukewarm water and add TETİK dishwashing liquid at the dose on the label.
- Scrub the wires, corners and feet of the dish rack with the soft side of a sponge; remove residue between the wires with a dish brush.
- Clean the bottom and holes of the cutlery basket with a brush.
- Rinse all parts under running water until no detergent remains.
- Dry the parts with a cloth and reassemble them only once they are completely dry.
The drip tray
Water that collects in the drip tray leaves a slippery film, limescale marks and dark spots over time. Emptying and drying the tray every day reduces this build-up. Wash the tray regularly in lukewarm water with dishwashing liquid, clean its corners with a dish brush, rinse and dry it. On trays with a spout that drains into the sink, also clean the spout with a brush. For sink strainers, see the guide how to clean a strainer.
How to clean a plastic dish rack
A plastic dish rack is washed by hand with lukewarm water and dishwashing liquid; if the manufacturer allows, it can also go in the dishwasher. Remove residue that collects in the corners and grooves of the plastic with a dish brush; for greasy residue, a small amount of TETİK gel dish detergent can be applied to the sponge. Steel wool, abrasives and bleach can scratch and dull the plastic. Yellowing and discolouration that develop in plastic over time do not fully go away with cleaning. Replace plastic parts that are cracked or deeply scratched.
How to clean a metal dish rack
Chrome-plated, stainless steel and painted metal dish racks are wiped with a sponge dampened in lukewarm water with dishwashing liquid, rinsed and dried straight away. To reduce the marks water drops leave on the wires, dry the rack with a dry microfibre cloth. Do not use steel wool, abrasives, degreaser or limescale remover on chrome and painted wires; these products can damage the plating and paint. For stainless steel surfaces, see the guide how to clean stainless steel.
Bamboo dish racks
Bamboo and wooden dish racks are wiped with a well-wrung sponge dampened in lukewarm water with dishwashing liquid, wiped with a clean damp cloth and dried straight away. Do not soak bamboo or put it in the dishwasher; bamboo can absorb water, swell, crack and darken. Use the bamboo dish rack in a spot where water does not collect underneath. For wooden kitchen utensils, see the guide how to clean wooden spoons.
Limescale marks, rust and dark spots
- Wipe white limescale marks on the wires and tray with lukewarm water and dishwashing liquid and dry straight away; drying the dish rack every day reduces the build-up of limescale marks.
- We do not recommend limescale remover for dish racks; the rack is in contact with washed dishes, and limescale remover can damage chrome, paint and plastic.
- Rust on wires whose plating or paint has come off does not go away with cleaning, and we do not recommend a product for rust; replace the rusty dish rack or the part.
- Dark spots and a slippery film in the corners usually come from staying wet all the time; wash the dish rack with dishwashing liquid and let it dry completely. Replace plastic trays whose darkening does not go away or that have mould stains.
- For the sink itself: how to clean a kitchen sink.
- For plastic food storage containers: how to clean food storage containers.
What not to do
- Cleaning the dish rack with bleach, surface cleaner or limescale remover.
- Using steel wool and abrasives on chrome and painted wires.
- Leaving water standing in the drip tray for days.
- Soaking a bamboo dish rack in water.
- Reassembling wet parts before they have dried.
- For what dishwashing liquid is and how it removes grease: what is dishwashing liquid.
For restaurants and canteens
In professional kitchens, glass and plate racks, draining baskets and drip trays stay wet all day; washing them at the end of the shift in lukewarm water with dishwashing liquid, rinsing them and leaving them to dry keeps the kitchen orderly. Where food safety is required, follow your business's procedure. For industrial dishwasher racks, follow the machine manufacturer's recommendation. For using dishwashing liquid, see the guide how to use dishwashing liquid. TETİK Dishwashing Liquid is produced in 750 g, 5 kg, 20 kg and 30 kg packs; for bulk purchases you can request a quote.
