Natural Cleaners Are Great, But Sometimes You Need the Heavy Stuff
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from. I’ve been through a lot of “natural” cleaner experiments—some work for light stuff, but when you’re talking about grease that’s basically become part of the appliance? That’s a whole different animal.
- Baking soda and vinegar are fine for day-to-day grime. For anything that’s been sitting for months (or years), they just don’t cut it without a ton of elbow grease.
- Enzyme sprays are hit or miss. They’re great on fresh spills, but old, baked-on gunk? Not so much.
- Citrus-based cleaners (like those orange oil ones) can help break down grease a bit better than vinegar, but again, you’re still scrubbing.
Here’s the thing: sometimes you just need to bring out the big guns. There are some “greener” degreasers out there—Seventh Generation makes one that’s less harsh than the usual suspects—but even those aren’t magic. If I’m dealing with an oven that hasn’t been cleaned since the last presidential administration, I’ll use a heavy-duty degreaser (like Krud Kutter or Zep) and just make sure to ventilate well.
I know it’s not what people want to hear, but in my experience, there’s no miracle natural cleaner for ancient grease. You can soften it up with steam (boil water in the oven or microwave first), then hit it with your paste or spray. That helps a bit. But if you want it spotless without hours of scrubbing... sometimes you have to compromise on “all-natural.”
Wish there was a magic solution, but I haven’t found one yet. If someone else has cracked the code, I’d love to hear about it... until then, it’s usually a mix of patience and whatever gets the job done fastest.
Honestly, I’ve had some luck with natural cleaners on old grease, but it’s all about patience and layering. I usually hit stubborn spots with a baking soda paste, let it sit overnight, then go at it with a scraper or even a razor blade (carefully). It’s not quick, but I’d rather avoid harsh chemicals if I can. Sometimes the “heavy stuff” just spreads the gunk around or leaves a weird smell. Just my two cents—maybe I’m more stubborn than most.
Natural Cleaners Vs Store-Bought Stuff For Appliances
- Right there with you on the baking soda paste. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of cleaning—if you can handle the wait.
- I’ve definitely had those moments where I’m staring at a greasy oven door thinking, “Is this even worth it?” But yeah, patience pays off. Sometimes I’ll hit it with vinegar after the baking soda, just for that extra fizz. Feels like a science experiment, but it works.
- The store-bought sprays always promise miracles, but half the time I end up with a headache from the fumes and the grease is still mocking me. Plus, my dog gives me that look like, “Why does it smell like a swimming pool in here?”
- I do keep a plastic scraper handy—razor blades make me nervous (I’m clumsy). Learned that lesson after one too many scratches on the stovetop.
- Only downside to natural stuff is the elbow grease required. But hey, at least I’m not scrubbing my lungs with chemicals, right?
Baking soda and vinegar are my go-to for appliances too, especially since I started remodeling kitchens with more eco-friendly materials. I used to rely on those heavy-duty sprays for the oven, but honestly, the smell would linger for days and I’d get a headache every time. Natural cleaners take more time and effort, but at least I know exactly what’s in them. The only thing that bugs me is how much scrubbing it takes sometimes—my shoulders feel it after a deep clean. Still beats breathing in all those chemicals though.
The only thing that bugs me is how much scrubbing it takes sometimes—my shoulders feel it after a deep clean.
Man, I hear you. After a long day swapping out cabinets, the last thing I want is an arm workout from the oven door. On the plus side, I guess it’s cheaper than a gym membership... but my elbows might disagree.
