That headline is exaggerated. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is a useful household cleaner, but there isn’t one special preparation that removes grease from every surface.
Here’s what works best:
- For greasy stovetops, ovens, and countertops: Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Apply it to greasy areas, let it sit for 10–15 minutes, then scrub gently with a sponge or cloth and rinse.
- For pots and pans: Sprinkle baking soda on the greasy surface, add a little warm water to make a paste, let it sit, then scrub.
- For sinks: Baking soda is mildly abrasive and can help remove grease and light stains without scratching most stainless steel sinks.
Keep in mind:
- Baking soda works mainly as a mild abrasive and helps loosen some residues. It is less effective than dish soap for heavy grease because grease is best removed by surfactants (the cleaning agents in detergents).
- For stubborn kitchen grease, warm water plus dish soap is often the most effective first choice. Baking soda can be added to help with scrubbing.
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Don’t mix baking soda and vinegar in a sealed container. They react to produce carbon dioxide gas, which can build pressure.
- Mixing them for cleaning creates fizz, but once the reaction is over, much of the cleaning benefit of each ingredient is neutralized. They’re usually more effective when used separately for different purposes.
- Test baking soda on delicate or polished surfaces first, as its mild abrasiveness may dull some finishes with repeated use.
So, baking soda is a helpful cleaner, but it’s not a universal grease remover, and there’s no single “secret recipe” that outperforms appropriate cleaners for every job.
