Baking soda removes grease from all these areas—the only way to do it is to prepare it this way!

Baking soda is a powerhouse for cutting through stubborn grease, but the trick to making it work efficiently across different surfaces comes down to how you mix and apply it.

Depending on where the grease is, the “right way” usually involves turning it into a paste or pairing it with the right companion. Here is how to prepare and use baking soda to tackle grease in the most common trouble spots:

The Universal Grease-Fighting Paste

For most hard surfaces (stovetops, oven doors, countertops, or stainless steel sinks), a thick paste provides the ideal balance of mild abrasion and alkalinity to break down grease without scratching.

• The Recipe: Mix 3 parts baking soda to 1 part warm water (or swap the water for liquid dish soap for an even stronger grease-cutting punch). It should look like frosting or pancake batter.

• How to use it:

  1. Spread the paste generously over the greasy area.

  2. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes to penetrate and lift the oils.

  3. Scrub gently with a non-scratch sponge or microfiber cloth, then rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Area-Specific Preparation Methods

• Inside the Oven:

  • The Prep: Mix a larger batch (about 1/2 cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water to form a spreading paste). Smear it all over the interior grease, avoiding heating elements.

  • The Trick: Let it sit overnight. By morning, the baking soda will have broken down baked-on grease so it can easily be wiped away with a damp towel or spritzed with vinegar to make it fizz.

• Greasy Kitchen Cabinets:

  • The Prep: To avoid scratching wood or painted finishes, use a liquid solution instead of a thick paste—mix just 3 tablespoons of baking soda into 1 cup of warm water.

  • The Trick: Dip a sponge into the mixture, wring it out so it is damp (not soaking wet), and gently wipe down the greasy cabinet handles and surfaces. Rinse with a clean, damp cloth.

• Grease Stains on Clothing or Fabric:

  • The Prep: Do not add water first. Lay the garment flat and cover the fresh oil stain generously with dry baking soda.

  • The Trick: Let it sit overnight to absorb the liquid oil out of the fibers. Brush the powder away the next morning, dab with a drop of dish soap, and wash as usual.

• Garage Floors or Driveways:

  • The Prep: Blot up excess wet motor oil, then cover the spill heavily with dry baking soda