The kitchen is usually where meals are prepared, families gather and memories are made. But it’s among the hardest spots to keep clean – especially with grime and grease. From splattered stovetops to greased countertops the kitchen is often a breeding ground for dirt and bacteria.
Some traditional cleaners have harsh chemicals that can slicing through grease but also be unhealthy and unhealthy for people and the environment. There are however, greener options for removing tough grease and grime just as effectively if not more so. These natural solutions save money and save the earth too!
Six green ways to tackle grease and grime in the kitchen. How to keep your kitchen clean without using harmful chemicals – Use simple household ingredients & sustainable cleaning habits. Let’s dive in!
1. Baking Soda & Vinegar: Power in a Glass
The two most versatile natural cleaners are baking soda and vinegar. Together, they create an effective, green solution to tough grease and grime.
Baking soda is a mild abrasive that removes grease without scratching surfaces. It is also a natural deodorizer – great for eliminating odors. Vinegar, in turn, cuts through grease and disinfects surfaces.
To make a baking soda & vinegar cleaning paste: Stir together baking soda and water in a bowl until it forms a spreadable dough. Use the paste on greasy surfaces like stovetops, countertops and oven interiors. Set it aside for 10-15 minutes to breakdown the grease. Second, spray with vinegar that will combine with the baking soda to form a fizzy cleaning action. Scrub with a soft sponge or brush, wash off with water and dry.
For particularly stubborn grease, sprinkle baking soda directly on the surface and spray with vinegar, then let sit for 30 minutes before you scrub. This combination is safe on most surfaces including stainless steel, ceramic and glass but test on a small inconspicuous area first.
Using baking soda and vinegar cleans your kitchen without harsh chemicals.
2. Castile Soap – Magic of Castile
Castile soap contains olive oil and other natural ingredients. It is mild but tough on grease and grime – an eco-friendly alternative to traditional dish soaps and cleaners.
For kitchen cleaning, mix 1 tablespoon liquid castile soap with 1 cup hot water in a bottle. Add 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil – lemon or tea tree – for extra cleaning power and scent. Shake well before use.
Use this solution to clean greasy countertops, stovetops and sinks. Spray the solution on the surface, let sit to break down the grease a bit, and then wipe clean with damp cloth. For tougher greases, scrub with a scrub brush/sponge and rinse.
Clean greasy dishes and cookware with castile soap as well. Place some drops in a sink of warm water and wash as usual. The soap‘s degreasing action will cut through grease without a residue.
Add castile soap to your cleaning supplies to tackle grease and grime without compromising your health and the environment.
3. The Versatility of Lemon
Lemon also is a natural degreaser and deodorizer – an eco-friendly cleaner for the kitchen. Acidity breaks down grease and citrus scent makes your kitchen smell clean and inviting.
For cleaning, cut a lemon in half and sprinkle the cut side with baking soda or salt. Use the lemon to scrub greasy surfaces such as stovetops, counters and sinks. The rough texture of baking soda or salt and acidity of lemon will cut through grease and grime.
For a basic lemon cleaning solution, mix 1 cup of juice of one lemon in a spray bottle. A couple drops of castile soap will be helpful for extra cleaning power. Shake well before use.
This solution cleans greasy appliances like microwaves and refrigerators. Drizzle solution onto the surface, allow solution sit for a while and then wipe clean with a damp cloth. For tough grease, scrub with a scrub brush/sponge and rinse.
Lemon can also refresh and deodorize the kitchen. Lemon peels can be put in your garbage disposal to remove odors or you can boil lemon slices in some water on the stove to make an natural air freshener.
Use lemon to clean and refresh your kitchen without harsh chemicals.
4. Steam Cleaning Benefits & Tips
Steam cleaning can remove tough grease and grime in the kitchen. Steam cleaners disinfect and clean surfaces without chemical cleaners, using hot water vapor.
Fill a steam cleaner with distilled water in a kitchen water tank and heat the cleaner. Once steam is ready, use appropriate attachment to scrub greasy surfaces such as stovetops, countertops or oven interiors. The steam will melt grease and grime and the pressure will lift dirt off surfaces.
Steam cleaning is especially good for removing greasier range hoods & exhaust fans. Steam will penetrate grease buildup and be wiped away with a cloth or sponge.
Steam cleaning cuts through grease and sanitizes surfaces – no chemical disinfectants are needed – killing bacteria and germs. This is a great cleaner for cutting boards, sinks and other high touch areas in the kitchen.
Steam cleaning can remove tough grease and grime while keeping a healthy kitchen.
5. Microfiber Cloths: Their Role
Microfiber cloths are useful for green kitchen cleaning. These absorbent reusable cloths trap dirt, grease and bacteria without chemical cleaners.
Use microfiber cloths to clean greasy surfaces – dampen cloth with water or natural cleaning solution – for example, water versus vinegar -. Use the cloth to lift grease and grime down the surface. This microfiber material will collect dirt and grease to keep your surface streak-free.
Microfiber cloths may also be dried to dust and polish bare surfaces. Static charged cloth attracts and holds dust and dirt – great for keeping a clean kitchen.
The microfiber cloths are also reusable. Wash with hot water and mild detergent. This saves waste and disposable cleaning products.
Use microfiber cloths to clean grease and grime without going green.
6. Sustainable Cleaning Habits
Use green cleaning products and tools but also sustainable cleaning habits for a green kitchen. Consider some habits:
Grease and grime should be cleaned as you go to prevent accumulation. Wipe surfaces clean after cooking and deal with spills and splatters promptly.
Use water sensibly – turn off of the tap if not in use – and also make use of a bucket instead of using water for mopping.
Reusable cloths, sponges and mop heads can save money over disposable ones.
Don’t toss old cleaning tools and containers away – recycle or reuse them instead.
With these habits, you can create a cleaner kitchen and planet.
Conclusion
Handling tough grease and grime in the kitchen need not involve harsh chemicals or harmful practices. You can easily clean your kitchen using natural ingredients like baking soda and vinegar, castile soap and orange, and green resources like steam cleaner and microfiber cloths.
From making your own natural cleaners to adopting sustainable habits, these eco-friendly ways will keep your kitchen clean without using harmful chemicals. By adopting these methods you will produce a healthier home in addition to a more sustainable & eco-friendly world.
So the next time you have a gritty stovetop or grimy countertop, reach for these green fixes instead. Get what you learned through this guide to a cleaner, greener and better kitchen.
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