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.
Baking soda is non-toxic, inexpensive, easy-to-use, and remarkably effective on cleaning oven grease. Baking soda is alkaline, and oven grease made of food particles is typically acidic. Baking soda neutralizes acids and breaks down the grease, allowing you to wipe it up without a lot of elbow grease.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Vinegar cuts through grease naturally due to its acetic acid content. When mixed with warm water, it dissolves oil and leaves surfaces streak-free.
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.
Mechanics remove grease by breaking down the grime with specialized pumice soaps, natural oils, or household DIY scrubs. To prevent clogged drains, they always wipe off excess grease with a shop rag first. The most effective techniques include:
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.
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.
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.
To make a homemade Dawn degreaser, mix 13 oz of water, 4 tablespoons of Dawn dish soap, and 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl) in a spray bottle. For best results, add the water first, followed by the soap and alcohol, then gently shake to combine. This creates a powerful, budget-friendly cleaner similar to commercial foaming sprays.
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.
Never mix baking soda (a base) with acids like vinegar or lemon juice for cleaning. While foaming, the acid and base neutralize each other, leaving you with useless salt water. Also, avoid mixing it with chlorine bleach, ammonia, or in aluminum cookware to prevent dangerous reactions or damage.
Mixing white vinegar (an acid) and baking soda (a base) triggers a rapid acid-base chemical reaction that produces a bubbly, fizzy foam. This reaction creates carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate (a harmless salt).
The ultimate lazy shower hack is the "Shower and Soak" method. Mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and original blue Dawn dish soap in a soap-dispensing dish brush. Keep it in your shower, and while your hair conditioner sits, give the walls a quick scrub. Rinse as you shower for a perpetually clean bathroom.
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.
Acidic vinegar, particularly when used with baking soda, can wear down the rubber seals on your pipes. It's not just your actual pipes you have to be cautious of when unclogging drains.
Removing Grease Stains with Dish Soap and Baking Soda
Start by blotting the stain with a paper towel to soak up as much grease as possible. Be gentle—press, don't rub, to avoid spreading the stain. Next, apply dish soap directly to the stain. Dish soap is great for breaking down 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.
When it comes to cutting through tough grease and oily residues, Dawn Platinum and Dawn Ultra are widely considered the gold standard. Their concentrated, surfactant-heavy formulas attach to grease like a magnet, requiring significantly less scrubbing and hot water than competing brands.
People put crumpled aluminum foil in the dishwasher primarily as a hack to make silver or stainless steel utensils and cutlery look shinier.