Those clickbait social media videos love to cut off right before revealing the “secret recipe,” leaving you hanging with dramatic music! Fortunately, there is no magic formula required—just basic chemistry.
When it comes to tackling stubborn, baked-on grease across your kitchen, the classic baking soda paste and slurry method remains one of the most effective, non-toxic ways to dissolve grease without toxic chemical fumes.
Here is how to prepare and apply the ultimate DIY degreasing mixtures depending on the surface:
The Two Essential Baking Soda “Recipes” for Grease
1. The Heavy-Duty Paste (For Ovens, Burners, and Cast Iron)
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Best for: Inside the oven, glass oven doors, greasy burner grates, and baked-on stovetop spills.
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How to prepare it:
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Mix 1 cup of baking soda with about 3 tablespoons of warm water in a small bowl until it forms a thick, spreadable paste (similar in consistency to frosting).
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Spread a generous layer directly over the greasy surfaces.
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Let it sit for at least 30 minutes to overnight so the alkaline powder can break down and saponify the baked-on grease molecules.
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Scrub gently with a non-scratch sponge and wipe clean with warm water.
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2. The Liquid Slurry & Dish Soap Booster (For Cabinets, Backsplashes, and Range Hoods)
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Best for: Sticky grease film on kitchen cabinet doors, tile backsplashes, and stainless steel range hoods where harsh scrubbing could damage the finish.
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How to prepare it:
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Combine 1/2 cup of baking soda with a few drops of mild liquid dish soap and enough warm water to create a runny, milk-like slurry.
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Dip a soft microfiber cloth into the mixture, wring it out slightly, and gently wipe down greasy cabinet surfaces or backsplashes.
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The baking soda provides mild, non-scratch abrasion while the dish soap cuts through the oil film, lifting it away effortlessly.
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Wipe down immediately afterward with a clean, damp cloth to remove any residue.
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Why It Works
Grease is naturally acidic and hydrophobic (repelling water), which is why plain water just slides right over it. Baking soda is mildly alkaline, meaning it reacts with grease to break down fatty acids into water-soluble compounds, allowing you to wipe away grime that ordinary soap struggles to cut through alone.
Have a particularly stubborn greasy surface you’re trying to clean, like an oven door or range hood?
