How to Make a Homemade Degreaser: 5 Easy Recipes

5 Easy Recipes to Make a Homemade Degreaser

Here are five easy homemade degreaser recipes using natural ingredients that are effective for cleaning tough grease in your home:

1. Vinegar and Baking Soda Homemade Degreaser

Credit: Pinterest/@readersdigest

Ingredients

• • • • 1 cup white vinegar
      • 1 tablespoon baking soda
      • 2 cups warm water
      • 1 teaspoon dish soap

Instructions

Start by combining one cup of white vinegar and two cups of warm water in a spray bottle. Add one teaspoon of dish soap, which helps to cut through grease and grime. Next, gradually stir in one tablespoon of baking soda.

Be careful during this step, as the vinegar and baking soda will fizz when mixed. Once the bubbling subsides, shake the bottle gently to mix the ingredients well. To use, spray the degreaser directly onto greasy surfaces, such as countertops, stovetops, or kitchen walls. Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes to loosen up the grease.

Then, wipe it clean with a soft cloth or sponge. For particularly stubborn grease spots, you may need to scrub the area with a brush. Finally, rinse the surface with warm water to remove any residue and reveal a sparkling clean finish.

Best For

This homemade vinegar and baking soda degreaser is perfect for tackling kitchen grease on countertops, stovetops, sinks, and even greasy pots and pans.

The natural acidity of the vinegar cuts through grease, while the baking soda adds a gentle scrubbing power, making it ideal for both everyday cleaning and deep grease removal. With this eco-friendly degreaser, you can avoid harsh chemicals and keep your home clean using natural ingredients.

Why It Works

The combination of vinegar’s acidity and baking soda’s abrasiveness creates a powerful reaction that breaks down tough grease. Vinegar is a natural degreaser that works by dissolving oil, while baking soda acts as a mild abrasive, lifting away grime without damaging surfaces.

Related: The 7 Best Oven Cleaners of 2024

2. Lemon Juice and Castile Soap Degreaser

Credit: Pinterest/@etsy

Ingredients

• • • • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
      • 1 tablespoon Castile soap
      • 1 cup warm water

Instructions

To make this citrus-powered homemade degreaser, mix half a cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice with one tablespoon of Castile soap and one cup of warm water in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle well to ensure everything is blended.

The acidity in lemon juice provides excellent degreasing power, while Castile soap is a natural, biodegradable cleaner that lifts away dirt and grease. Spray the mixture generously onto greasy surfaces like stovetops, cabinets, and kitchen sinks.

Let the degreaser sit for 5-10 minutes to loosen the grease, then scrub the area with a sponge or cloth. Once the surface is clean, rinse with warm water to remove any residue. The lemon scent will also leave your kitchen smelling fresh.

Best For

This lemon juice and Castile soap degreaser is especially effective for cleaning stainless steel sinks, kitchen countertops, and stovetops that accumulate grease from everyday cooking.

It’s also great for tackling greasy surfaces like cutting boards, where natural ingredients are a better option for food-related areas. This recipe not only breaks down grease but also disinfects and deodorizes, leaving your kitchen looking and smelling fresh.

Why It Works

Lemon juice is highly acidic, which makes it an excellent natural degreaser. It cuts through grease with ease and has natural antibacterial properties, making this cleaner both effective and safe for food-prep areas.

Castile soap adds a gentle, non-toxic cleaning power, breaking down grease and grime without leaving any harsh chemicals behind.

3. Citrus Essential Oil Homemade Degreaser

Credit: Pinterest/@ehow

Ingredients

• • • • 10 drops citrus essential oil (lemon, orange, or grapefruit)
      • 1 cup water
      • 1 tablespoon dish soap

Instructions

To make this simple yet highly effective homemade degreaser, start by combining one cup of water and one tablespoon of dish soap in a spray bottle. Add 10 drops of citrus essential oil, such as lemon, orange, or grapefruit, which are known for their natural degreasing properties.

Shake the bottle to blend the ingredients. Spray the mixture generously on greasy areas such as oven doors, stovetops, and range hoods. Allow the solution to sit for about 5-10 minutes, so it has time to break down the grease.

Wipe the area clean with a cloth or sponge, and for stubborn grease spots, use a scrub brush. Once clean, rinse the area with water to remove any residue.

Best For

This homemade citrus essential oil degreaser is ideal for use on kitchen appliances, range hoods, cabinets, and any area prone to heavy grease buildup. The citrus oils not only dissolve grease effectively but also leave a refreshing, clean scent that brightens up your kitchen.

Why It Works

Citrus essential oils are known for their strong natural degreasing properties. The oils break down grease while providing a pleasant fragrance. Essential oils also have antibacterial properties, making them an ideal choice for kitchen cleaning.

4. Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide Paste Degreaser

Ingredients

• • • • 1/2 cup baking soda
      • 2 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide
      • 1 teaspoon dish soap

Instructions

To make this heavy-duty homemade degreaser, mix half a cup of baking soda with two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide and one teaspoon of dish soap in a small bowl. Stir the ingredients until they form a thick paste.

Apply this paste directly onto greasy surfaces, such as stove grates, oven racks, or heavily used cookware. Let the paste sit for 10-15 minutes to penetrate and break down the grease.

Then, scrub the area using a sponge or brush. For baked-on grease, use a bit of elbow grease to get it off. Afterward, rinse the area with warm water to remove any remaining paste and grease.

Best For

This paste is especially effective on stubborn grease found on grills, oven racks, stovetops, and cookware. It’s great for tackling those tough, baked-on grease spots that won’t budge with regular cleaners.

Why It Works

Baking soda’s mild abrasiveness makes it perfect for scrubbing away tough grease, while hydrogen peroxide adds a deep cleaning boost. This combination is strong enough to tackle even the hardest grease buildups but gentle enough to use on cookware and surfaces.

Related: The 7 Best Dishwashers of 2024

5. Cornstarch and Vinegar Degreaser

Ingredients

• • • • 1/4 cup cornstarch
      • 1/2 cup white vinegar
      • 2 cups warm water

Instructions

In a spray bottle, dissolve 1/4 cup of cornstarch in two cups of warm water. Once dissolved, add half a cup of white vinegar and shake well to combine. Spray the solution onto greasy areas like kitchen walls, floors, or even range hoods.

Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes, allowing the cornstarch to absorb the grease and the vinegar to break it down.

Scrub the area with a cloth or sponge, then rinse thoroughly with water. This simple yet effective degreaser works great on large surfaces where grease buildup tends to be more widespread.

Best For

This homemade degreaser is perfect for cleaning large, greasy areas like kitchen walls, floors, and range hoods. It’s gentle enough for painted surfaces, making it ideal for keeping your entire kitchen clean without worrying about damaging paint or finishes.

Why It Works

Cornstarch absorbs grease effectively, while vinegar helps break it down and disinfect the surface. Together, they create a powerful degreaser that’s safe for a wide variety of surfaces.