Ever look at your stovetop after making one of those “five-star restaurant” style breakfasts (you know, everything splattering everywhere), and just think, No way am I cleaning that? Yeah. Been there. That’s why I swear by these 8 Kitchen Cleaning Tricks That Cut Grease Fastโbecause nobody wants to spend their whole Saturday scrubbing what last Thursdayโs pasta sauce left behind. If youโve never tried some of these weird but effective tricksโoh, youโre in for a treat. Actually, my obsession started after reading up on weird vinegar kitchen tricks and then falling down a rabbit hole with baking soda tip guides… Now, letโs make your kitchen shine (with way less elbow grease, promise).
Homemade Cleaners for the Kitchen
Let’s be real here, most of those expensive cleaners? Bit of a racket. You can make your own kitchen cleaners out of stuff youโve probably already gotโseriously, my grandma swears by these.
- Mix vinegar with hot water: Cleans up grease on counters, stovetops, and moreโbonus, it cuts odors too.
- Splash a bit of dish soap into your vinegar mix: Works magic on stuff thatโs super sticky.
- Lemon peels in a jar of vinegar for a week make the prettiest smelling degreaser.
- Add essential oils (I like lavender) if you canโt stand that โsalad dressingโ smell.
“Switched to homemade cleaners last yearโmy kitchen has never looked better. My wallet loves it, too!” โ Clara J.

Natural Cleaning Kitchen Tips
Alright, here come my actual โmom hacksโ for getting rid of kitchen grime with things that wonโt poison your dinner (or your dog):
- Baking soda paste: Make a thick paste, slap it anywhere you see crusty stuffโlet it sit, then wipe.
- Old toothbrush: Seriously, best tool ever for tiny corners, sink edges, and around faucet handles.
- Lemon slices on greasy pans: Rub it straight onโeats up grease like Pac-man on dots.
- Got stubborn crud? Sprinkle salt on a lemon half, then scrub (go wild, itโs satisfying).
Not gonna lie, for more offbeat tricks (some pretty wild), check out these dish soap tricks for tough grease. Kitchen didnโt know what hit it.

Best Methods for Cleaning an Oven Naturally
Okay, ovens are a nightmare. If youโve ever opened yours and just shut the door againโjoin the club. Hereโs what actually works (I put mine off for, like, six months).
- Make a baking soda paste (mix with water); slather it everywhere inside your oven, especially on spills.
- Let it sit overnight (or at least a few hours if patience isnโt your best trait).
- Wipe it with a damp cloth, then spray vinegar over any white film and wipe againโsqueaky clean!
- Leave the oven door open for a bit so it airs out; trust me, it smells less weird after.
Or, if youโre curiousโcheck out all sorts of cleaning tips for literally every kitchen disaster.
Tips for Cleaning with Baking Soda and Vinegar
I used to be so skeptical. Now, baking soda and vinegar are my partners in grime.
- For sinks, spray vinegar, sprinkle baking soda, let bubble up, then scrub and rinse.
- Pour a mixture down your drain, cover with a towelโflush with boiling water after 10 minutes.
- For greasy stovetop grates, soak them in hot water, sprinkle baking soda, drizzle vinegar, and let fizzโscrub after.
Bonus: These two together will not hurt your kitchen surfaces (even on those weird fancy countertops).
Additional Natural Cleaning Tips
Just when you think youโre out of tricks… here are a few more from my bottomless pit of cleaning experiments:
- Aluminum foil isnโt just for bakingโscrunch it up and scrub greasy grill grates with it. Try these weird aluminum foil tricks.
- Lemons in the microwave: Nuke lemon slices in water for 2 minutes, then wipeโvoilร , degreased AND smells fresh.
- White vinegar on sticky residue from labels or tape? Rub, let sit, scrapeโno drama.
My friends always roll their eyes but then ask for my tips later, soโฆ canโt argue with results.
Common Questions
Q: Is it safe to mix baking soda and vinegar for everyday cleaning?
A: Totally! It fizzes, which looks fun, and itโs safe on most surfacesโjust donโt use on natural stone countertops.
Q: How often should I deep clean those greasy spots?
A: Once a week if you cook a lotโotherwise, just spot-clean as soon as you see mess. Easier to keep on top of it.
Q: What if vinegar smell drives me bananas?
A: Try infusing with lemon or orange peelsโit actually works, and youโll get that โfancy spaโ vibe.
Q: Does lemon leave sticky stuff behind?
A: Nope! As long as you wipe after with a damp towel, youโre golden.
Q: Any shortcuts for after a big family meal?
A: Yep! Dump hot water and dish soap in pans while you eatโeasier to scrub after dessert.
Ready for Your Kitchen To Actually Sparkle?
Get out there and tackle that grease! I mean, youโve got homemade cleaner ideas, weird tricks with lemons and vinegar, and enough confidence now to show off your oven (maybe even after the holidays). If you want more inspiration for cleaning, The 8 Best Homemade Cleaners For The Kitchen – Live Simply has some killer recipes; if baconโs your nemesis (raise your hand), We Tried 8 Methods of Cooking Bacon and Found an Absolute Winner has cleanup tips, too. Honestly, your kitchen is about to look brand new (Iโm not even exaggerating). Try a few tricks, let me know what works, and donโt forget to pass those weird tips on!
