The best everyday homemade degreaser combines 1 cup warm water, 1 cup distilled white vinegar, 1 tbsp baking soda, and a generous squirt (about 1/2 tsp) of natural liquid dish soap. Mix in a spray bottle, shake well, spray the greasy surface, let it sit for 5–10 minutes, and wipe clean.
The best natural degreaser combines the grease-cutting power of plant-based surfactants with the mild acidity of vinegar or citrus. For the most effective grease removal, you can either mix a homemade solution or buy top-rated, eco-friendly retail products.
Yes, Dawn is an excellent and highly effective degreaser. Thanks to its concentrated formulation of surfactants, it breaks the molecular bonds of fats and oils so they easily lift off surfaces and rinse away.
Acetone is a great degreaser. Not only does it effectively remove large amounts of grease, but it evaporates quickly without leaving behind extra residue. However, this solvent is not suitable for use on some plastic and rubber surfaces, and is extremely flammable.
The strongest over-the-counter degreasers rely on highly alkaline formulas or potent citrus solvents to break down thick, baked-on buildup. Top heavy-duty options include Super Clean, Zep Industrial Purple, and Ecolab Professional Strength, all of which require dilution for safe use.
If you're cooking and have a grease spill, you can clean it up immediately before it becomes a problem later. One easy way is to sprinkle flour over the spill. Let the flour sit for a few minutes to absorb the grease and then you can easily wipe it up.
Best Homemade Degreaser
Use a mixture of hot water, a squirt of dish detergent, a small pour of white vinegar, and a teaspoon of baking soda. Double up on the ingredients you add to your water for really tough grease.
Dish soap has the ability to lubricate and break down the bonds of fats and grease. When poured into the toilet, dish soap helps lubricate the waste causing the clog, while also breaking down its structure, allowing it to easily flow down the drain.
DIY Dawn Powerwash 💦✨ Make your own powerful cleaner at home with just 3 simple ingredients! 🧼 26 oz. Water 🧼 4 Tbsp Rubbing Alcohol 🧼 8 Tbsp Dawn Dish Soap Shake it up in a spray bottle and tackle grease like a pro!
Best Overall Degreaser: Krud Kutter Original
The overall winning degreaser? Krud Kutter Original. It may not be as light as the others, but it's still gentle enough to use all over your home. Shields notes that Krud Kutter is water-based and works both indoors and out.
House cleaners create that coveted "fresh, clean" aroma not just by masking odors with artificial fragrances, but by deeply sanitizing, eliminating odor sources at the molecular level, and incorporating targeted natural or botanical scents.
Simple Green is a biodegradable, non-toxic cleaner that can be used as a bike degreaser. You can dilute it with water and use a brush to clean your drivetrain components. Other household cleaners like dish soap can also work as a degreaser, although they may not be as effective.
A natural degreaser effectively breaks down stuck-on kitchen grease using safe, eco-friendly ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and citrus. It is highly effective for cleaning stovetops, ovens, and countertops without relying on harsh chemicals or toxic fumes.
Common household degreasers range from everyday pantry staples to heavy-duty commercial cleaners. The best choice depends on whether you are tackling light kitchen grease or tough, baked-on grime.
How To Make a Natural Kitchen Degreaser
People put aluminum foil in the toilet as an internet-famous cleaning and maintenance hack, though its actual effectiveness is highly debated. The reasons for doing it generally fall into two categories:
Tackle severely stained toilet bowls by emptying the water to expose the stains, then applying a strong acid (like hydrochloric acid or vinegar) or a pumice stone. The most effective approach depends on the stain: mineral/limescale rings require an acid to dissolve the buildup, while organic stains respond well to bleach.
These items should NEVER be flushed down the toilet:
The best everyday homemade degreaser combines 1 cup warm water, 1 cup distilled white vinegar, 1 tbsp baking soda, and a generous squirt (about 1/2 tsp) of natural liquid dish soap. Mix in a spray bottle, shake well, spray the greasy surface, let it sit for 5–10 minutes, and wipe clean.
A powerful, heavy-duty homemade degreaser can be made by combining 1 cup of white vinegar, 1 cup of water, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, and a few drops of dish soap (like Dawn) in a spray bottle. For maximum strength, mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water, 1 cup baking soda, and 1/2 cup dish soap.
Vinegar cuts through grease naturally due to its acetic acid content. When mixed with warm water, it dissolves oil and leaves surfaces streak-free.
To clean years of baked-on grease, ditch harsh scrubbing and use a chemical degreaser (like sodium hydroxide-based oven cleaner) or a heavy-duty degreaser like LA's Totally Awesome. Apply the cleaner, cover the area with plastic wrap to lock in moisture, let it sit overnight, and easily wipe the dissolved grease away.
Glass is not well-suited for baking soda, due to its abrasive nature. In fact, you might accidentally scratch your mirrors or windows if you attempt to clean them with baking soda. If you're looking for an all-natural cleaner for these surfaces, vinegar is a better bet.
Professional cleaners work fast by following strict, systematic routines instead of just cleaning at random. Their speed comes down to three main advantages: eliminating organizing clutter, using a "top-to-bottom, left-to-right" flow to avoid double-working, and letting chemicals do the heavy scrubbing.