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A homemade degreaser falls under DIY projects that will save you on costs and gives you complete control over what ingredients to include. Learn more about the 7 methods to create a homemade degreaser.
You can leave out unwanted residues, allergy-inducing chemicals, and other products with unpleasant smells that may be found in commercial degreasers.
A homemade degreaser utilizes natural and cheap vinegar and baking soda to remove grease spots and oily residue. Such chemicals are free from toxic chemicals yet effectively used as a dish or laundry detergent plus other surfaces.
There are multiple ways and recipes of making natural degreasers at home that will quickly remove tough grease and other stains in your kitchen, cars, parking lots, driveways, and other surfaces.
Such chemicals are odorless, cost-effective, and with little to no skin irritation.
Read on as we explore the seven best natural methods to make a homemade degreaser.
Methods of creating a Natural Homemade Degreaser
Homemade degreasers can be used across many applications as an affordable and natural means. There is a wide array of natural ways of creating degreasers.
Below we explore some common methods you can apply at home.
Method #1: Deodorizer and Kitchen Cleaner
Ingredients
- Baking soda – 4 tablespoons
- One quart of distilled water
Prepare by mixing the two to form a thick paste.
You can use the paste directly on appliances, kitchen counters, and for cleaning the inner part of your refrigerator.
In addition, the mixture is a great deodorizer suitable for cleaning stainless steel surfaces such as sinks and other appliances by gently rubbing a damp piece of cloth or a clean sponge.
You may pour the powder on the surfaces you intend to clean or just use the solution directly for deodorizing surfaces. Finally, dispel foul odors by pouring the powder into the garbage bin.
Method #2: DIY Glass Cleaner
Ingredients
- ½ cup cider vinegar
- 2 cups of warm water
- ¼ cup rubbing alcohol (70% concentration)
- Essential oil (one or two drops of lemon oil for a fresh citrus scent)
Combine all the ingredients. Mix evenly and pour into your spray bottle. You can then use it to shine your mirrors and windows.
Method #3: All-purpose Cleaner (Scented)
Ingredients
- White vinegar
- Rosemary sprigs
- Lemon rind
- Warm water
Mix all the above ingredients in enamel or a plastic bowl.
Pour into your spray bottle and shake well. You may add drops of orange for an appealing scent. Let it stay for seven days before using it.
You can use this homemade all-purpose cleaner to clean trash cans, remove stubborn water stains, clear wall smudges, and remove grime with ease.
Caution: Acidic cleaners will easily etch a stone. Perform a test before cleaning and disinfecting surfaces such as granite.
Method #4: Heavy-duty Scrub
Ingredients
- ½ cup of borax powder
- ½ lemon
Dip your half lemon into the borax powder and use it to scrub enamel tubs and sinks and other rust stains on porcelain, then rinse. You may order borax powder from Amazon or find it in a detergent aisle.
Note: Do not use this cleaner on granite or marble.
Method #5: DIY Grease Cleaner
Ingredients
- ½ cup of sudsy ammonia
- Scant one-gallon water
Mix ½ sudsy ammonia to fill a gallon container. The detergent in sudsy ammonia removes stubborn grime. Then, using a soft sponge, dip it into the solution and clean the stove wood, grill, and oven racks. Finish up by rinsing with clean water.
Method #6: Stain Remover
- 1 cup of regular chlorine liquid bleach (avoid concentrate or ultra)
- 1 cup dishwasher powder detergent
- 1 gallon of hot water
Mix the above ingredients in plastic, enamel bowl, or any stainless steel container (avoid aluminum).
You may add orange essential oil to enhance the scent. Soak your stained garment for 15 to 20 minutes or more if your grease stains don’t come out naturally after washing.
Method #7: Brass Cleaner
Ingredients
- Table salt
- Lemon juice or a cup of vinegar
Using a damp sponge and lemon juice or white vinegar, spring some salt on bathroom appointments or non-lacquered cabinet drawers and rub the surface gently. Rinse with clean water after that and dry with a clean cloth.
Surfaces On Which To Use a Homemade Degreaser
A homemade degreaser will clean multiple surfaces around your home with more ease and minor irritations on your skin.
While some homemade degreasers clean more than one surface, you may choose one depending on the type of surface you intend to clean.
Below are some common surfaces that you can use a degreaser as a cleaning solution:
- Kitchen cabinets and stainless steel sinks
- Stained or greased fabric
- Driveways
- Cars
- Rust stains
- Enamel tubs
- Cabinet pulls
- Windows and mirrors
Important: As much as more products used on homemade degreasers are less irritant to the skin, some may trigger asthma if you have asthmatics around.
Conclusion
DIY projects such as homemade degreasers are no longer just cost-saving projects but also use all-natural ingredients to keep your home clean and safe. They have no harmful chemicals, making them both eco-friendly and gentle on your hands.
However, depending on the method and type of homemade degreaser you intend to make, check on safe usage when you have to buy some products such as sudsy ammonia and borax powder. Otherwise, most of the ingredients like washing soda or white vinegar are common products in your kitchen.
People Also Ask
Many people continue to embrace homemade degreaser as a cheap yet natural non-irritant way of cleaning up stains.
Below are some common questions about homemade degreasers.
How do I Dissolve Hardened Grease?
Dissolving a hardened grease is a simple process that requires soaking a sponge or any rug in your homemade degreaser and wiping or rubbing the greasy surface. You may need it to settle for a few minutes if the stain is tough.
Will Vinegar Dissolve Grease?
The acid in vinegar makes it suitable for dissolving and softening tough stains such as a food grease mixture. Note that vinegar will not cut stains as alkali materials do. A vinegar solution softens up the dirt or mess, making it easier to clean.
Can I Use Hydrogen Peroxide As a Degreaser?
Although hydrogen peroxide has close to all chemical compounds like water, it comes with an additional oxygen atom allowing it to break down harmlessly with more ease.
Hence, hydrogen peroxide is an effective degreaser for cleaning streaks from the mirrors and works great as a disinfectant on the floor and other surfaces.