This simple kitchen ingredient removes grease better than any spray

If you cook often, you’ll know the quiet despair of the greasy film that creeps over your hob, backsplash and cabinet doors. You spray, wipe, spray again, and still there’s a slick, slightly tacky residue that never feels fully clean.

Here’s the twist many people don’t realise: the simplest, cheapest ingredient on your baking shelf outperforms most commercial degreasers on everyday kitchen grime. It’s not vinegar, and it’s definitely not a harsh solvent. It’s baking soda.

Why this cupboard staple works better than a spray
Grease is stubborn because oils cling to surfaces and resist water. Baking soda is naturally alkaline and gently abrasive. That combination loosens, lifts and breaks down oily residues without the high odour, streaking or residue many sprays leave behind. It gives you chemistry and light elbow grease in one.

Unlike liquid cleaners that can slide over hardened splatters, baking soda grips. That slight grit helps the paste stay where you put it, softening baked-on spots while you get on with something else. When you return, the gunk releases with minimal scrubbing.

The simple method that makes the difference
For routine stovetops and splatters, mix three parts baking soda with one part warm water to make a spreadable paste. Add a single drop of washing-up liquid if you’re tackling thick, glossy grease. Smooth the paste over the area, wait five to ten minutes, then wipe with a damp, non-scratch sponge. Rinse with warm water and buff dry with a microfibre cloth.

That short dwell time is the secret. Sprays often rely on repeated applications and heavy wiping. A soda paste sits in contact with the grime, breaks it apart and gives you a clean finish without the stickiness or scented film.

What you need to know about safety and surfaces
Baking soda is gentle, but it’s still a mild abrasive. On high-gloss lacquered cabinets, polished acrylic or delicate appliance coatings, test on an inconspicuous spot. Avoid scrubbing vigorously on soft aluminium, as prolonged contact can dull the surface. On natural stone, including marble and some limestones, keep the paste very mild and avoid grinding; wipe and rinse promptly. If you have sensitive skin, wear gloves and avoid inhaling dust as you mix.

On the stovetop and backsplash
Grease around burners tends to polymerise with heat, so it clings hard. Spread the paste thinly, particularly along the stainless trim and glass burner rings. Leave it while you wipe elsewhere, then loosen with a damp sponge using small circles. For seams and control knobs, use an old soft toothbrush. You’ll see the film break into a greyish slurry that lifts away clean. Finish with a microfibre rinse and a dry buff, which prevents water marks.

For baked-on oven door grime
Open the door and make a thicker paste. Paint it onto the brown, sticky patches, avoiding vent holes. Leave for 15 to 20 minutes. A nylon spatula can help nudge up the softened residue without scratching the glass. Wipe, rinse and repeat on the most stubborn areas. If there’s a slight haze, a final wipe with very hot water and a clean cloth brings back clarity.

Extractor hoods and filters
Hood undersides collect atomised fat that dust cements into a gummy layer. A soda paste clings overhead, which is invaluable. Smooth it on, wait ten minutes, then wipe from the cleanest area towards the dirtiest to avoid smearing. Rinse the cloth often.

For metal mesh filters, bring a large pot of water to a gentle simmer, add a heaped tablespoon of baking soda and a small squeeze of washing-up liquid, then slide in the filter. Let it soak off the heat for 10 minutes. You’ll see oil bloom into the water. Rinse hot, repeat if necessary, then dry thoroughly. Check the manufacturer guidance if your filter is aluminium; keep contact brief and avoid hard scrubbing.

Cabinets and painted walls
Greasy fingerprints around pulls and a faint film on lower doors are classic problems that make kitchens feel tired. Stir a looser paste and apply with a soft cloth to just the greasy zones. Light pressure is enough. Rinse well and dry; this step matters because dried soda can leave a powdery trace if you skip the rinse. On matte paint, keep the paste very mild and don’t overwork any one spot.

Pans, trays and the awkward browned ring
Non-stick pans benefit from a gentle approach. Dab a thin soda paste on the pan’s exterior ring where oils bake on, let it sit, then lift with a soft sponge. On stainless steel, you can use a firmer hand; the paste will tidy cloudiness and remove oily fingerprints without streaks. For enamelled cast iron, a paste cleans rims and lids safely. Avoid stripping seasoning on bare cast iron; instead, use hot water and a stiff brush, then re-oil.

Air fryers and small appliances
Drawer baskets and splash shields collect aerosolised fat. After unplugging and cooling, spread a mild paste over the greasy mesh and interior panels you can remove. Leave it while you wash the non-greasy parts, then rinse the paste off under warm water. Dry thoroughly before reassembling to prevent rust or odour.

Laundry: the overlooked grease hack
Cooking splatters don’t always stay in the kitchen. A dab of liquid detergent massaged into a food oil spot, followed by a light sprinkle of baking soda, creates a quick pretreatment that pulls oil from fibres. Leave it for ten minutes, brush off the residue and launder warm, checking the stain before tumble drying. Repeat if needed. This simple step saves countless T-shirts.

Why this beats “miracle” sprays
Sprays are convenient, but many are either fragranced surfactants that push grease around or aggressive solvents that leave surfaces squeaky but parched-looking. Baking soda offers control. You decide the consistency, the dwell time and the pressure. There’s no harsh scent, and the finish is satisfyingly clean to the touch. It’s also kinder to the air in a small kitchen, which matters if you clean frequently.

Many people don’t realise that heat amplifies the effect. A warm surface or a final rinse with very hot water helps the broken-down oils rinse away completely. That’s why a kettle is one of the best cleaning tools in your kitchen.

When not to use baking soda
There are a few honest exceptions. High-gloss glass and mirrors prefer a pure glass cleaner to avoid micro-scratches. Oiled wood needs a specific cleaner that won’t strip the finish. If sanitising is the goal rather than degreasing, use a product designed for disinfection after you’ve removed the grime; grease can shield microbes from sanitisers, so degreasing comes first.

How much to use and how to store it
A tablespoon of soda goes a long way. Make paste fresh; it works better than anything premixed and sitting around. Keep the box dry and closed to prevent clumping and odour absorption. If your baking soda lives in the fridge as a deodoriser, don’t reuse that for cleaning food-contact items; it may have absorbed smells you don’t want to spread.

The quiet pleasure of a truly clean kitchen
There’s a small satisfaction in wiping a surface once and seeing it genuinely clean, with no filmy residue and no synthetic lemon cloud hanging in the air. After two decades testing cleaners in real homes, I reach for baking soda first on everyday kitchen grease because it’s reliable, cheap and astonishingly effective. A box by the sink, a spoon and five calm minutes are often all you need.

The next time frying night leaves a tacky sheen everywhere, skip the cycle of spray and wipe. Mix a paste, give it time to work and let the grease come to you. It’s the simplest fix hiding in plain sight.

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Winfrith

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