Combat Kitchen Grease with a Homemade Citrus Degreaser
Bacon grease, excess olive oil from cooking chicken, and splatters from frying hamburgers – it seems like grease finds a way into every corner of the kitchen. This is likely why the kitchen is often considered one of the most challenging spaces to clean in the home. Fortunately, this homemade citrus degreaser is designed to effectively tackle grease, oil stains, and stubborn burnt-on residues, ensuring your kitchen shines like new. It works wonders on various hard, non-porous kitchen surfaces, including:
- Range hood
- Stovetop
- Microwave
- Vent
- Oven
- Kitchen cabinets
- Drip pans
- Indoor grill
This powerful cleaner even excels at eliminating fingerprints from refrigerators, dishwashers, and other appliances. Unlike many commercial degreasers, this homemade citrus cleaner is crafted from natural, plant-derived ingredients, including citrus essential oils and vinegar.
Ingredients for Your Natural Kitchen Degreaser Spray
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- Water
For extended shelf life, opt for distilled or filtered water that has been boiled and cooled.
- White Vinegar
Vinegar serves as an exceptional natural cleaning agent. It not only disinfects and deodorizes but also aids in grease removal.
- Sal Suds
Produced by Dr. Bronner’s, Sal Suds is a potent natural detergent made from plant-based ingredients. It’s significantly more powerful than traditional Castile soap, making it ideal for cutting through grease, dirt, and grime effortlessly. I incorporate Sal Suds into various homemade cleaners, including dish soap, daily shower cleaner, granite cleaner, and liquid laundry detergent.
- Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon essential oil is renowned for its cleaning prowess. It is antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and a fantastic degreaser.
- Sweet Orange Essential Oil (also referred to as Wild Orange)
Citrus essential oils not only provide a pleasant aroma but are also remarkable natural cleaning agents. Sweet orange oil is particularly effective in dissolving dirt, grime, and grease on kitchen cabinets, stovetops, microwaves, ovens, and appliances.
- Spray Bottle
Choose a spray bottle of at least 16 oz capacity made from glass, stainless steel, or essential-oil-safe plastics like PET (plastic #1) or HDPE (plastic #2). For spray bottles, consider checking out these links: plastic spray bottle and glass spray bottle.
- Label
You can click here for your free printable label.
Steps to Create Your Natural Kitchen Degreaser with Essential Oils
Step 1: Add 1/2 Teaspoon of Sal Suds to Your Spray Bottle
Tip: Make sure to select a spray bottle made from materials compatible with diluted essential oils. Glass, stainless steel, or specific types of plastics (like HDPE and PET) are excellent choices.
Step 2: Pour in 1/2 Cup of White Vinegar
Tip: If the scent of vinegar is unappealing to you, you can reduce the amount used, but do include some vinegar for its beneficial cleaning properties. It helps to cut through dirt and grime while also repelling future dirt, keeping your kitchen cleaner for longer.
Step 3: Add 1.5 Cups of Distilled Water
Tip: If you lack distilled water, boiled and cooled filtered tap water can serve as a suitable substitute.
Step 4: Incorporate 40 Drops of Citrus Essential Oils
I typically use 20 drops of lemon and 20 drops of sweet orange (wild orange).
Step 5: Secure the Spray Top and Shake Well to Combine
(Optional) Add Your Free Printable Label
Tip: You can print the label on full-sheet label paper, or as I prefer, use regular printer paper and attach it to the spray bottle with packing tape. This method is cost-effective and tends to keep the label in place better, protecting it and ensuring it remains looking great over time.
How to Use Your Homemade Degreaser
Utilize this citrus-based cleaning solution to eliminate grease and grime from kitchen cabinets, stovetops, ovens, range hoods, microwaves, drip pans, vents, refrigerators, cupboards, and more. It is effective on hard, non-porous surfaces.
- Shake the bottle well before each use.
- Spray generously onto the surface.
- Allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
- Reapply by spraying the surface again (aim to keep it wet for a total of 15 minutes).
- Wipe clean – use a dishcloth dampened with warm to hot water to wipe down the cleaned surface.
Tip: For added cleaning power, sprinkle baking soda on the surface before applying the natural degreaser. The reaction between the baking soda and vinegar will create a foaming action that aids in loosening stubborn grease and grime.
Tip: Always perform a spot test on a small area before using any new cleaner to ensure compatibility with the surfaces.
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Please note: The products mentioned on this page have not been evaluated by the FDA. The information provided is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and should not replace professional care. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding your medical needs. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it based on something you have read on this website.
Disclaimer: This website contains affiliate links. If you click on certain links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.