DIY Kitchen Degreasing Done Right

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DIY Kitchen Degreasing Done Right

Julieanne Charmaine

March 08, 2023

Kitchens are often considered the heart of the home, no doubt because it is the most frequently used room in the house. No matter what kinds of meals are being prepared or how often the kitchen table is used, there always seems to be traces of food around the room. Not to mention the stains and buildup of grease.

Grease is no one’s favorite thing to try to clean in the home, but we can at least try to simplify the process. We compiled a list of DIY degreasing methods that you can use around your kitchen. Keep reading to find out what kind of household products you can use to cut through even the most stubborn of greasy messes.

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Before You Get Started

As with any cleaning project, before you start to get into the detail work like degreasing and disinfecting, you’ll want to start by making sure all the surfaces in the kitchen are clean. Wipe away the loose crumbs and other debris, make sure dishes are clean and put away or in the dishwasher, put away pots and pans, and make sure every surface is clear and ready to get a good scrub down. A simple wipe-down with some hot and soapy water will do the trick before any deep cleaning is done around the kitchen. When that’s done, we can really get down to the greasy business.

DIY Degreasers

Whether you have a product you trust and rely on or are looking for a more eco-friendly and natural way to cut through kitchen grease, there are many ways to get the job done. Below you’ll find a handful of our best DIY degreasing methods that will work great in any situation:

Vinegar

Our best recommendation for natural and effective degreaser is white vinegar, except if you happen to have unsealed stone or marble countertops. While powerful, vinegar can permanently damage and react negatively with unsealed stone and marble, so if your counters are made of these or other porous materials, you may want to try a different method.

All you need to do to use vinegar as a degreasing cleaner is pour it into a spray bottle and go after it. However, if vinegar has a bit too strong of a smell for you, you can dilute it by mixing it with water at a 50-50 ratio in the spray bottle. If you’d like, you can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil (we love lemongrass!) to give it a personal touch.

Vegetable Oil

Surprisingly, vegetable oil can make for a pretty good grease cleaner. It may seem counterintuitive, but hear us out. This particular DIY is really quite simple as all you have to do is pour some oil onto a rag or paper towel and use it to either wipe away the mess or leave it resting on the mess to loosen things up.

When you use this method on regular countertops, cookware, or stovetops we highly suggest following with some cleanup. Fighting grease with grease can be a mess, so to combat the residue left behind, try using another method to absorb things and then wipe it all away with some warm water.

Baking Soda

If you’re looking for a degreasing alternative that is safe for stone and marble, allow us to introduce baking soda. While this is safe for marble, it can still damage unsealed or natural stone if not used properly. If you’re still looking for a stone-safe degreaser, mix a bit of baking soda with some acetone for the best results.

To properly use baking soda to cut through kitchen grease, mix together about 3 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 cup of warm water. You can use a sponge or dish rag dipped in the solution to wipe away greasy messes left behind on stovetops, cookware, and counters.

If you have an area of particularly stubborn grease, thoroughly soak a rag in the solution and then lay it over the area for about 5 to 10 minutes. This should be just long enough to soften things up and make it easier to wipe away the mess.

Flour

Flour is another surprising but effective grease-fighting product found around the kitchen. It works great for catching and absorbing fresh grease spills while cooking. Grease spills and droplets are common, especially in heavily used kitchens, so don’t worry about how frequently you may have to catch those.

Though flour is excellent at absorbing greasy spills, please remember to NEVER use flour to put out a grease fire. In an emergency, reach for baking soda or salt to put out the flames of a cooking fire.

Dish Soap

We mentioned before that doing a little light cleaning ahead of the detailed deep clean and degreasing is a smart move. Did you know that most dish detergents are really great degreasing agents? Of course you did, that’s why you wash your dishes with it. Another way to use your dish soap against grease is in the laundry. When you’re cooking, there’s bound to be a stray splatter or two of grease on your top or pants.

We’ve all been there and felt the sting of giving up on an article of clothing after it has been ruined by a grease stain. In order to save your clothes from a fresh grease stain, place a drop or two of dish soap on the stain and allow it to settle for about 30 minutes before tossing it in a cold wash.

Salt & Rubbing Alcohol

Much like our clothing, any rugs or cushions around the kitchen can be at risk when cooking or eating greasy meals. Unlike clothing, however, rugs, pillows, and chair cushions are much harder to launder. For these, you will need rubbing alcohol, salt, and a bit of patience.

Grab a bowl and mix the rubbing alcohol and salt together at a ratio of about 4-to-1, 4 parts rubbing alcohol to 1 part salt. Apply the mixture to the affected area and rub it into the stain until you notice the stain beginning to disappear. Let the area dry and then wipe away any remaining salt residue to finish it off.

FAQs

What is the best natural degreaser?

The best natural degreaser is white vinegar. One of the most effective methods of degreasing with vinegar is by mixing 1 cup of vinegar with 4 cups of water in a spray bottle and using this to treat greasy messes.

What is the most powerful degreaser?

One of the most powerful degreasers is isopropyl alcohol, or rubbing alcohol. It is excellent at breaking down and dissolving grease around the home and it evaporates quickly so that there is little to no residue left behind.

Is bleach a degreaser?

Bleach can be used as a degreasing agent and works best when mixed with hot water and sprayed onto the offending greasy mess. It is recommended that bleach be diluted with hot water so that it is less likely to stain any surroundings.

Does hot water dissolve grease?

Hot water is excellent at breaking down and removing grease from around the kitchen. It can be used on its own or to dilute other degreasing agents like vinegar or rubbing alcohol for added grease-fighting properties.

If you’ve tried just about everything under the sun to treat and remove stubborn grease stains around your kitchen, but just can’t seem to find a solution that works, don’t panic! We offer a wide variety of services that can fit almost any home or business.

TidyHere cleaning is proud to provide friendly and affordable cleaning services, so check out our website to see what we can offer you! Contact us today to book your services or find out how we can work with you to solve your cleaning needs.