This Homemade Degreaser Is All You Need to Remove Tough Stains

Jun 14, 2023

Home Home & Living Cleaning & Organizing Cleaning Tips

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You’ve been cooking for hours, the kitchen is sweltering, the stove has to cool down and dinner is ready. You had been dying to try that time-consuming, multi-step recipe, but now you’re zoomed in on every oil splatter and grease stain across, well, everything. You tell yourself you’ll just clean it up after you eat, but then morning comes and those splatters and stains have crusted over. Whoops.

Enter, the homemade degreaser. Making a degreaser out of products you already have in your home gives you the peace of mind that you know exactly what’s in the solution. Products like vinegar and baking soda are part of vintage cleaning hacks for a reason—they’re time-tested, effective products sans mystery chemicals and intimidating warning labels.

Let’s bring back the simplicity of mixing your own cleaning solutions and scour those tough grease spots away. (Just remember to never mix these cleaning products.)

If you’ve ever mopped a floor before sweeping it, you’ll know what we mean when we say it’s important to remove crumbs and clear your work area before degreasing. Make sure all your other dishes are cleaned and put away. Remove any kitchen decor, olive oil bottles, salt cellars or knife blocks you have near your stove. Remove any crumbs or caked-on food from your pots, pans and stove top that can easily come up with a damp paper towel or kitchen rag.

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Combine all ingredients in a half-gallon container and stir well. Pour the solution into a spray bottle.

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Spray the degreaser onto grease stains and let it sit for 3-5 minutes, depending on how tough the stain is.

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Using a clean sponge, gently rub the stain until it starts to lift. Wipe away any excess grime and degreaser with a clean, damp dish cloth. Also, learn how to make a homemade drain cleaner.

If you’re nervous about the strength of this homemade degreaser, you can always spot check it. Spray or dab a small amount on the surface you will be degreasing. If it comes off well and doesn’t harm the surface of your pans, range or cabinets, then that’s a good sign you can go ahead and apply it to a larger area.

This mixture can also work as a stain remover on clothes, table cloths, dish rags and napkins. Dab a cloth into the mixture, then rub the stained area with the cloth. Wash the garment quickly after spot treating so that the product does not sit for too long on delicate garments.