Sodium bicarbonate can help remove grease and grime because it is a mild alkali and a gentle abrasive. However, there is no single “secret preparation” that is the only way it works.
Common ways to use baking soda for grease
1. Baking soda paste
- Mix baking soda with a small amount of water to form a thick paste.
- Apply to greasy surfaces such as stovetops, oven interiors, or range hoods.
- Let it sit for 10–15 minutes, then wipe and rinse.
2. Baking soda + dish soap
- Combine baking soda with a few drops of dishwashing liquid.
- Useful for stubborn grease on kitchen surfaces because the soap helps break down oils while the baking soda provides mild scrubbing action.
3. Soaking removable items
- Add baking soda to warm water for soaking greasy oven racks, filters, or cookware before scrubbing.
Areas where it can be useful
- Stovetops
- Oven interiors
- Range hood filters
- Pots and pans
- Kitchen countertops (depending on the material)
Be careful on certain surfaces
Avoid aggressive scrubbing with baking soda on:
- Polished stone (such as some marble surfaces)
- Delicate glass coatings
- Highly polished metals
- Surfaces with specialty finishes
Its abrasive action is mild but can still dull sensitive surfaces over time.
What works even better for heavy grease?
For thick, baked-on grease, a dedicated degreasing cleaner or a combination of dish soap and hot water is often more effective than baking soda alone.
Bottom line: Baking soda can be a useful, inexpensive grease remover, especially when mixed into a paste or combined with dish soap. Claims that there is one “secret” preparation that works everywhere are marketing hype rather than cleaning science.
