The Absolute BEST Degreaser for Cleaning a Kitchen Stove

If you’ve spent way too much time scrubbing baked-on grease from your stovetop, you’re going to love this trick. I’ve tried plenty of store-bought cleaners over the years, but I always come back to one simple DIY degreaser that works better than almost anything else.

My secret weapon?

Powdered Tide laundry detergent.

It sounds strange, but just a tiny amount mixed with warm water cuts through greasy buildup with very little effort.

My Favorite DIY Kitchen Degreaser

Here’s the simple recipe:

• 1 tablespoon powdered Tide detergent
• 1 quart warm water

Stir until the detergent dissolves.

That’s it!

By the way, we’ve got some other great recipes for cleaning products right here on our website!

• 🧺 DIY Carpet Cleaner – A concentrated homemade carpet cleaner for steam cleaners and Rug Doctor machines that tackles pet stains, coffee, mud, and everyday messes.
• 🧼 Make Your Own Powdered Laundry Detergent – Our homemade powdered laundry detergent recipe has inspired many readers to switch from store-bought detergent.
• 🌿 The Best DIY Natural Cleaners with Clean Ingredients – A roundup of 20 natural cleaning recipes, including toilet cleaners, dish soap, all-purpose sprays, and more.
• 🧺 40 Dryer Sheet Hacks (Did You Know?!) – Creative ways to use dryer sheets around the house, including several cleaning hacks!

How I Clean My Stovetop

When my stove is covered with greasy splatters or cooked-on messes, here’s exactly what I do.

Step 1: Apply the Solution

Dip a cloth into the Tide mixture and spread a generous amount over the dirty areas of the stovetop. I flood the surface to soak, making sure everything is covered. If it’s not that bad of a mess, you don’t need to flood it, but be sure everything is coated.

Step 2: Let It Sit

Walk away for about 10 minutes.

This is the magic part. The detergent has time to loosen grease and soften dried-on food so you don’t have to scrub nearly as hard.

Step 3: Wipe It Clean

Come back with a damp microfiber cloth or sponge and wipe away the grease.

Most of the mess comes right off!

For Really Stubborn Spots

Sometimes you’ll find those burnt-on spots that refuse to budge.

When that happens, I simply:

1. Apply a little more of the Tide solution.
2. Let it soak another few minutes.
3. Gently use a pumice stone to remove the remaining buildup.

The combination works incredibly well on tough spots that other cleaners struggle with. Burned-on food? I used to try products labeled “powerful degreaser” and still had to use elbow grease to even begin getting through that greasy stovetop. Not anymore! Tough messes just take a few minutes of soaking, a quick pass with a pumice stone and/or scrub brush, and a damp cloth for final cleanup. Powdered Tide is definitely the right product for cleaning my gas range! 🥳

Tip: Always use a pumice stone according to the manufacturer’s instructions and test it in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it’s appropriate for your stove’s surface. And always use it wet.

It Works on Oven Doors Too!

One of my favorite uses for this homemade degreaser is cleaning the oven door. 

Greasy fingerprints, baked-on splatters, and cloudy residue are much easier to remove after letting the Tide solution sit for about 10 minutes. Wipe everything away, and you’ll be amazed at how much cleaner the glass looks. 

Grill grates, burner caps, stainless steel cookie sheets, drip pans — all of these do so well when soaked in this DIY Tide solution for kitchen grease. Try it!

Why Powdered Tide Works So Well

Powdered Tide contains multiple grease-cutting surfactants and enzymes that are specifically designed to break down and remove oily soils, which makes it surprisingly effective at loosening greasy buildup.

Because you’re only using one tablespoon in an entire quart of water, a single box of powdered Tide lasts a very long time.

A Few Safety Tips

• Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin.
• Never mix this solution with bleach or other household cleaners.
• Keep the mixture out of reach of children and pets.
• Use it only on surfaces that are compatible with detergent-based cleaners.

I’ve recommended this DIY degreaser to family and friends for years because it’s inexpensive, easy to make, and incredibly effective. And they’ve all been shocked at how quickly and easily powdered Tide breaks down grease – it’s the best product for cleaning up greasy residue!

If your stovetop is covered with greasy splatters, mix up 1 tablespoon of powdered Tide with 1 quart of warm water, let it sit for 10 minutes, and wipe it clean.

For the toughest baked-on spots, simply apply a little more solution and gently use a pumice stone. Pumice stones need to remain wet so they don’t scratch – never use it dry on your stovetop! Then wipe it all up with a clean cloth and be amazed at the cleaning power of powdered Tide!

It’s one of the easiest cleaning hacks I’ve found, and it’s become my go-to method for both stovetops and oven doors.

Go ahead and try it and leave us a comment below to let us know how it went!