How to Make Degreaser: Best Proven DIY Recipe (2026)

By Marcus Chen · June 27, 2026

Why Make Your Own Degreaser?

I've spent the last twelve years testing commercial kitchen cleaners for ScrubNook. Most store-bought sprays rely on harsh glycol ethers. They strip grease fast. They also strip the moisture right out of your skin and leave a chemical hangover in your kitchen air. Learning how to make degreaser at home changes the game entirely. You control every single drop that goes into the bottle.

After hosting a dinner party where you fried chicken for eight people, your stovetop looks like a disaster zone. I've tested this exact DIY blend on my own GE Profile gas range. It cuts through that polymerized oil just as well as the heavy-duty industrial stuff. Plus, the cost savings are massive. You'll spend pennies per ounce instead of dollars.

Commercial degreasers often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These trigger asthma and headaches. My homemade version uses simple alkaline salts and plant-based surfactants. It's non-toxic, highly effective, and smells like a fresh citrus grove. I recommend this because it actually works without requiring a respirator mask.

Ingredients & Tools

Getting the ratios right is the secret to a streak-free finish. If you just throw random pantry items together, you'll end up with a cloudy mess. Here is exactly what you need to buy.

The Ingredients:

1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda: Do not use baking soda. Washing soda (sodium carbonate) has a pH of 11. Baking soda is only 8. You need that high alkalinity to saponify fats. You can find this in the laundry aisle at Walmart for about $4.50.
1/4 cup Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap (Unscented): This acts as your surfactant. It lifts the broken-down grease off the surface. I prefer the unscented baby mild version so it doesn't clash with the essential oils. A 16 oz bottle costs around $10 and lasts forever.
2 tablespoons Heinz White Vinegar (5% acidity): This cuts through hard water spots and adds a slight acidic bite to balance the heavy alkalinity. Don't use cleaning vinegar (6% or higher) here. It will react too aggressively with the washing soda.
15 drops Plant Therapy Sweet Orange Essential Oil: D-limonene is a natural solvent found in citrus peels. It melts sticky residue. Plant Therapy offers high-quality, kid-safe oils for roughly $12 a bottle.
1.5 cups Warm Distilled Water: Tap water contains minerals that leave white streaks on stainless steel. Always use distilled.

The Tools:

16 oz Amber Glass Spray Bottle: Citrus oils degrade plastic over time. I use the Vivaplastics 16 oz Boston Round bottles. The amber glass blocks UV light, preserving the essential oils.
Silicone Funnel: Prevents spills when transferring the washing soda.
Stainless Steel Whisk: For breaking up clumps in the washing soda.

Step-by-Step Recipe

I'll be honest, this takes a little elbow grease to mix properly. The washing soda loves to clump up if the water isn't warm enough. Follow these steps exactly.

Heat the water: Microwave 1.5 cups of distilled water for exactly 45 seconds. You want it around 110°F. If it's boiling, it will create too much steam when you add the other ingredients.
Dissolve the washing soda: Pour the warm water into a glass measuring cup. Add the 1/2 cup of Arm & Hammer washing soda. Whisk vigorously for 60 seconds. The liquid should turn completely clear. If you see white grit at the bottom, microwave it for another 15 seconds and stir again.
Add the vinegar slowly: This is where people mess up. Pour the 2 tablespoons of white vinegar in a slow, thin stream. It will fizz slightly. This is a normal acid-base reaction. Let it settle for two minutes.
Mix in the castile soap: Add the 1/4 cup of Dr. Bronner's liquid soap. Stir gently with a spoon. Do not whisk. Whisking creates a massive mountain of bubbles that will overflow your measuring cup and make a huge mess on your counter.
Add the essential oils: Drop in the 15 drops of sweet orange oil. Give it one final, gentle stir.
Bottle it up: Place your silicone funnel into the amber glass spray bottle. Pour the mixture in slowly. Screw on the spray nozzle tightly.

Safety Note: Always wear basic rubber dish gloves when handling washing soda in its raw powder form. It's highly alkaline and will dry out your skin rapidly. Keep the mixture away from your eyes.

How to Use It

Knowing how to make degreaser is only half the battle. Applying it correctly makes the difference between a spotless kitchen and a sticky nightmare.

Application Technique:

Shake the bottle well before every single use. The oils and soap will separate slightly when sitting. Spray the surface generously from about 8 inches away. Let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes. This dwell time is non-negotiable. The alkaline salts need time to break the chemical bonds of the polymerized fat. Wipe it away with a damp microfiber cloth. I use the Zwipes Microfiber Towels (300 GSM). They trap the grease instead of just pushing it around.

Safe Surfaces:

Stainless Steel: Works beautifully on Whirlpool and Samsung refrigerators. Wipe in the direction of the grain to avoid micro-scratches.
Sealed Granite and Quartz: The diluted pH is safe for properly sealed stone countertops.
Stovetops: Perfect for glass electric cooktops and gas burner grates.
Range Hoods: Cuts through the thick, yellowish grease buildup on metal mesh filters. Soak the filters in a sink with hot water and a 1/2 cup of this degreaser for 20 minutes.

Surfaces to Avoid:

Unsealed Wood: The water and soap will penetrate the grain and cause warping.
Natural Marble and Travertine: Even diluted, the washing soda can dull the polish on soft, porous stones over time. Stick to a dedicated marble cleaner for those.
Aluminum: High alkalinity causes aluminum to oxidize and turn black. If you have vintage aluminum pots, keep this spray far away from them.

If you have kids who track mud everywhere and leave greasy handprints on the lower cabinets, this spray handles it effortlessly. Just mist the cabinets and wipe. When your landlord inspects next week, a quick pass with this on the oven door will make it look brand new.

Storage & Shelf Life

Because this recipe lacks synthetic chemical preservatives, it won't last forever on the shelf. The distilled water and high pH keep bacteria at bay for a good while, though.

Store your amber glass bottle in a cool, dark cabinet. Keep it away from the dishwasher's heat exhaust or direct sunlight from a kitchen window. Heat degrades the d-limonene in the orange oil, reducing its grease-cutting power.

In my experience, this batch stays highly effective for exactly 6 months. After that, the essential oils start to oxidize. The cleaner will still work, but it might smell a bit like old pine needles. I write the mixing date on a piece of painter's tape and stick it to the bottom of the bottle. Make small batches. A 16 oz bottle usually lasts my household about two months of heavy cooking.

Cost Comparison: DIY vs Store-Bought

Let's look at the actual math. Commercial cleaners charge a massive premium for water and plastic packaging. Here is how my DIY recipe stacks up against the big names you find at Home Depot or Target.

Product	Size	Price	Cost Per Ounce
ScrubNook DIY Citrus	16 oz	$1.85	$0.11
Zep Heavy-Duty Citrus	32 oz	$7.98	$0.24
Simple Green All-Purpose	32 oz	$6.47	$0.20
Method Heavy Duty Degreaser	28 oz	$7.49	$0.26

The DIY option costs less than half the price per ounce of the cheapest commercial alternative. You also eliminate single-use plastic waste since you reuse the same glass bottle indefinitely.

FAQ

Can I use baking soda instead of washing soda?

No, baking soda will not work for this specific heavy-duty recipe. Baking soda has a much lower pH and lacks the aggressive saponification properties needed to melt baked-on grease. If you only have baking soda, you must bake it in the oven at 400°F for an hour to chemically convert it into washing soda first.

Will this leave a sticky residue on my cabinets?

It shouldn't, provided you wipe it up with a damp cloth after the 5-minute dwell time. If you notice a slight film, you used too much castile soap or didn't rinse your microfiber towel well enough. Just mist the area with plain distilled water and wipe it dry to remove any leftover soap scum.

Is this homemade degreaser safe to use around pets?

Yes, the ingredients are entirely non-toxic and pet-safe once dried on surfaces. However, you should never spray it directly near your animals or let them drink it. The essential oils can irritate a dog's sensitive nose if inhaled in large, concentrated quantities directly from the bottle.

Why did my spray bottle nozzle get clogged?

This happens when undissolved washing soda crystals get sucked up into the spray mechanism. Always ensure the water is warm enough to dissolve the powder completely before bottling. If it clogs, just run the plastic spray nozzle under hot tap water for two minutes to melt the blockage.