Best Homemade Degreasers for Kitchen Stoves

If you’re feeling uneasy about using harsh chemicals around your kitchen, you’re probably looking for a more natural way to remove grease and grime from your stove and countertops. Fortunately, there is a wide range of options for you to choose from, some of which are affordable and simple, helping to give you a solution for a clean and spotless kitchen. In this article, we provide the best homemade degreasers for your kitchen stoves and other areas in your space. 

What is Kitchen Grease? 

We all agree that it’s important to keep the kitchen clean, but it’s easier said than done, especially when you have a buildup of kitchen grease. Unfortunately, grease is a common issue inside our kitchens and is caused by a variety of factors. Grease buildup is often found around a gas stove top as a result of frying food, cooking with oil, or forgetting to clean up spills. 

As time passes, grease will accumulate on all kinds of kitchen surfaces, making it harder to remove. Moreover, the buildup can be unsightly while creating an unhealthy kitchen environment; to combat this, it’s necessary to use the right cleaning products. While there are plenty of commercial cleaning products available, there are also homemade options that you can make, which we outline below. 

Making Homemade Kitchen Degreasers 

While there are many kinds of homemade degreasers you can try around your kitchen, the best degreasers will use natural ingredients that you can easily find around your home. So if you’re looking for a heavy-duty degreaser recipe to replace your cleaning supplies to use on your stove tops, you’ll love this guide. 

Homemade Degreaser Ingredients

When you want to make the best cleaner, you’ll want to ensure its safety, ease of use, and affordability, which will not only work wonders but also save you money in the long run. Great stovetop cleaners will contain the following key ingredients, so be sure to look for them before you get started. 

• Dish Soap: It is often the main ingredient used in homemade degreasers since it’s a powerful agent that works well against grime and grease, making it essential for a kitchen cleaner.  
• Essential Oils: These are often added to homemade degreasers to enhance their cleaning power while giving them a pleasant scent. 

Homemade Degreaser Recipes 

If you’re looking for a powerful cleaning solution to use in your kitchen, then making any of these homemade recipes can be a great option.  

Vinegar Solution

Using vinegar is among the most popular degreasers that can be made at home. To get started, mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 3 cups of warm water in a spray bottle, then add a few drops of an essential oil of your choice. Be sure to shake your bottle first before use and spray it into any greasy surface — allow it to sit for 5 minutes before you wipe it away with a cloth. 

Baking Soda Solution

Making a baking soda solution is another great homemade degreaser that can replace your commercial solutions at home. Simply mix 1 tbsp. of baking soda with 1 cup of warm water, along with ⅛ tsp. of Castile soap inside a spray bottle. As usual, always shake your bottle first before spraying your solution around the kitchen. 

Citrus Solution

For those who prefer a citrus-based option, you can use an orange or lemon essential oil to make a powerful degreaser. All you need to do is combine 1 tbsp. of baking soda, 2 cups of warm water, and 20 drops of citrus essential oil in your spray bottle. Be sure to shake your bottle before using it and then spray on the greasy surfaces around your kitchen. 

Using Your Homemade Degreaser 

When you have your homemade degreaser ready, it’s time for you to use it around the kitchen! 

For Countertops and Stoves 

When it comes to countertops and stoves, it’s best to spray your degreaser directly on the surface and allow it to sit for 5 minutes before wiping it clean. Doing this lets the solution break down the grime and grease — use a microfiber cloth or sponge to clean the area. If you’re dealing with a tougher buildup or stain, let your degreaser sit longer before scrubbing it harder. 

For Cabinets

When you want to clean your cabinet with your homemade degreaser, you can start by taking a dry cloth and removing all kinds of debris or loose dirt. Next, spray your degreaser onto a microfiber cloth or sponge to thoroughly clean your cabinets. Make sure to pay close attention to areas that may be particularly dirty or greasy, then wipe down your cabinet again using clean water to remove residue. 

Keeping Your Kitchen Grease-Free 

If you’re a frequent user of the kitchen, maintaining a grease-free kitchen can be a big challenge. Fortunately, we have a few tips and tricks that you can follow to ensure your space looks clean and spotless. 

• Using an all-purpose cleaner is among the best ways to keep a clean kitchen. Above are just a few of the most common ingredients used in making homemade degreasers. 
• Creating a baking soda paste is great for eliminating tough grease; simply mix some baking soda with a bit of water to make a thick paste. Leave it on the affected area for 5 minutes before wiping it away using a damp cloth. 
• When you want to clean your oven door, use a combination of water and household ammonia by mixing 3 parts water with 1 part ammonia. Allow the solution to stay for 5 minutes before you wipe it away with a cloth. 
• You can also use apple cider vinegar or soap nuts when you want to remove tough stains from kitchen surfaces. This effective cleaner can help you tackle a wide range of tasks throughout your kitchen. 
• Another great natural cleaning solution is a combination of citrus fruits such as grapefruits, oranges, limes, and lemons. This natural solvent is powerful enough to dissolve oil and grease, provided that you combine it with washing soda or distilled vinegar. 

Considerations for Homemade Degreasers 

When cleaning your stove, it’s important to understand the type of stove it is; be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions on how to disassemble your model. Moreover, it’s vital to remember that while these cleaning methods are gentle, it’s still necessary to ventilate your kitchen whenever you clean grease and burnt spills. Make sure you open your window or turn on your exhaust fan to get an adequate airflow. 

It’s also crucial to avoid using abrasive tools and cleaners such as wire brushes or steel wool, which can lead to damage to metal and glass stovetops. 

Cleaning Your Glass Stovetop with Soap and Vinegar 

This blend of glass and ceramic can become scratched if it comes into contact with harsh cleaners for removing stubborn stains, as well as abrasive cleaners. Here’s what you need to know when cleaning this particular area in your kitchen. 

Items You Need: 

• Distilled white vinegar
• Dishwashing liquid 
• Baking soda
• Spray bottle
• Non-abrasive sponge
• Microfiber cloths
• Hard plastic scraper

1. Inside a spray bottle, combine 1 cup of hot water, 1 cup of white vinegar, and ½ teaspoon of dishwashing liquid, then shake well until the mixture is completely blended. 
2. Wait until your cooktop is completely cool before cleaning it, then spray your cleaner and allow it to sit for 5 minutes. Using your non-abrasive sponge, carefully wipe your stovetop and rinse it before wiping away any residue, then dry the entire surface using a microfiber cloth. 
3. If there’s burned-on food that’s tough to remove, be sure to heavily sprinkle the area with some baking soda and spray some white vinegar to make a thick paste. This should create a reaction that will help to break apart food particles. Dip your microfiber towel in some hot water and get rid of excess water until it no longer drips before covering the fizzing area with it. Allow it to steam for 15 minutes and remove the towel — wipe away loosened debris with your sponge and repeat the process if needed. 

Kitchen Cleaning Tips and Tricks 

• When your glass stovetop hasn’t been cleaned in a while, you might need to scrape off any grease stains or burnt food. 
• Before cleaning your stove, be sure to remove all parts first, including the the drip pans, control knobs, and coils for easier cleaning. 
• Keep in mind that both enameled metal and stainless steel stovetops should always be cleaned using a sponge dipped in hot and soapy water. 
• While you can clean the grates and drip pans in place, this will only work for a quick wipe-down. You will still need to remove and soak them during a deep cleaning session to help eliminate stains and grease. 
• Always sprinkle on some baking soda to remove stuck-on food; this acts as a mild abrasive that can help you scrub away food particles and grease (use a brush or nylon scrubber). 
• Even if your stovetop isn’t used often, it’s important to give it a weekly wipe down to remove greasy residue, drips, and crumbs. If you don’t clean it regularly, you might find that it accumulates dirt, spills, splatters, and all kinds of dirt that can become caked on and more difficult to clean. 

Conclusion

Now that you know all there is to know about making the best kitchen degreaser, you can go ahead and get to cleaning with minimal elbow grease. Moreover, you won’t have to spend so much money buying a multi-purpose cleaner or a heavy-duty cleaner, since the options above are more natural and safe to use. If you’re still hesitant about making your own degreaser, at least do your research and understand the safety precautions that come with commercial products. 

Sources 

• prolinerangehoods.com
• bhg.com
• realsimple.com