I Tested a Salad Dressing Cleaning Hack to Tackle Stubborn Kitchen Grease

A dirty kitchen can be an eyesore, whether it's a discolored sink or stubborn grease buildup. I firmly believe that a tidy kitchen equates to a happy space. However, eliminating these greasy residues has always posed a challenge for me — until recently.

Cleaning my kitchen has never been my favorite chore, and I always struggled to find effective ways to deal with grease without resorting to harsh chemical cleaners.

That changed when I stumbled upon a simple two-ingredient cleaning hack that utilizes just white vinegar and cooking oil. Surprisingly, this combination isn't just for salads!

If you're like me and constantly searching for effective cleaning tips, then you might want to try this easy homemade cleaner made from vinegar and oil. Here's how I did it.

Initially, I was skeptical about using oil for grease removal, but I was pleasantly surprised by its effectiveness. The oil loosens the grease molecules, while the vinegar works to break them down completely.

What I found particularly convenient was that I didn't even need to mix the two together! I started by applying my regular cooking oil, scrubbing away the grease with my trusty Scrub Daddy cleaning sponge, which I had dampened with cold water to make it firmer (and squeezed out any excess water).

After scrubbing, I sprayed the area with white vinegar and used a dry cloth to wipe away the oil and grease until the surface was clean and dry. To ensure I eliminated any oily residue and the smell of vinegar, I followed up with hot, soapy water.

This method worked wonders, especially on my range hood where grease had accumulated the most. It also performed excellently on kitchen cabinets and the tops of my refrigerator.

Scrub Daddy Non-Scratch Sponge now $3.78 at Walmart

This innovative sponge features a smiley face design and changes texture based on water temperature — rigid in cold water and soft in warm. It won't scratch your dishes, is ergonomic, rinses clean, and resists odors for up to eight weeks!

After cleaning with baking soda and vinegar for a week, I decided to enhance my method by applying a paste made from equal parts baking soda and water to tackle any remaining tough spots. There are so many cleaning uses for baking soda as well!

This paste assisted in removing any stubborn stains that lingered after my initial cleaning.

Are Homemade Cleaners Effective?

Many homemade cleaners can be remarkably effective for daily cleaning tasks, especially when strong antibacterial properties aren't necessary. In fact, for many household cleaning jobs, using simple, natural ingredients like vinegar is perfectly adequate and eliminates the need for harsh chemicals.