7 Places to Use Degreasers in the Home
From kitchen cabinets to garage floors, grease shows up everywhere and can be one of the toughest messes to clean. Degreasers help to break down residue from oils and fat that regular multi-purpose cleaners can’t, saving you time and effort. This guide covers 7 areas in the home where using a degreaser could make a huge difference.
Summary
In this guide, we will cover how to clean the following greasy areas and share some best practices:
- Kitchen cabinets
- Cooking appliances
- Indoor/outdoor grills
- Cars and engines
- Garage floors and driveways
- Patio furniture and outdoor surfaces
- Tips and best practices
In the Kitchen
1. Kitchen Cabinets
Steam, cooking oils, fingerprints, and daily use can cause a buildup of grease on kitchen cabinets over time. The right degreaser will break down this buildup fast, so you don’t have to scrub.
How to clean greasy kitchen cabinets:
- Wipe away dust and debris from the surface.
- Apply a degreaser that is gentle enough for kitchen cabinets.
- Let sit as directed, then wipe clean.
Pro Tip: When cleaning wood cabinets, use a formula that is safe for wood to protect the finish.
2. Cooking Appliances
Baked-on grease, dried splatters, and other leftover food residue can be difficult to remove from kitchen appliances. A degreaser will melt away grime and do the hard work for you.
How to eliminate grease in the kitchen quickly:
For stovetops:
- Remove any loose debris.
- Spray with a stove degreaser and let sit as directed; this allows the formula time to loosen any stuck-on mess.
- Wipe and rinse the surface thoroughly with water.
For ovens:
- Remove racks and wipe away loose debris.
- Apply oven degreaser to racks, doors, and inside the oven.
- Let sit as directed, then scrub to lift any baked-on grease.
- Rinse all surfaces thoroughly.
For air fryers & other small appliances:
- Unplug appliances and remove trays/baskets.
- Spray with a kitchen degreaser that is made for us on appliances.
- Let sit as directed so the formula can cut through any residue.
- Wipe and rinse thoroughly with water.
3. Indoor or Outdoor Grills
Grills collect grease and burnt-on residue quickly. A degreasing spray will cling to and dissolve tough buildup.
How to clean your grill:
- Apply a grill cleaner and let it sit to break down char and grease.
- Scrub, then wipe clean.
- Wipe down exterior surfaces with a degreasing spray or stainless-steel cleaner for a polished finish.
In the Garage
4. Cars & Engines
Grease, oil, and dirt accumulate on your car’s engine, undercarriage, and metal surfaces. Heavy-duty degreasers lift this buildup quickly.
How to remove heavy buildup on automotive parts:
- Use an automotive degreaser, avoiding any painted or plastic surfaces.
- Spray on the surface and allow the product to sit and break down any grease or grime.
- Wipe clean and rinse as directed.
5. Garage Floors/Concrete Driveways
From lawn equipment to cars, garage floors and driveways collect grease over time. Concrete-safe degreasers can help pull oil, so you can get rid of stubborn stains.
How to clean garage floors and driveways:
- Apply a concrete-safe degreaser directly to oil spots.
- Let sit as directed to penetrate concrete.
- Scrub oil spots and rinse well.
Outdoor & Driveway
6. Patio Furniture & Outdoor Surfaces
Outdoor furniture and surfaces can become greasy with regular use. The right degreaser cuts through the sticky buildup without damaging any furniture.
How to clean your patio and outdoor furniture:
- Wipe away grime or buildup on the surface.
- Spray with degreaser suited for your furniture material.
- Wipe with a clean cloth and rinse.
Pro Tip: Zep Fast 505 Degreaser & Cleaner can be used on plastic, metal, and wood, making it a great option.
Tips & Best Practices
- Use more gentle formulas on indoor surfaces like the kitchen and save heavy-duty formulas for automotive tasks or tools.
- Always test the product in a small, inconspicuous area before using to ensure surface compatibility.
- Read and follow the directions and safety information given on the product label.
- Avoid using degreasers on fabrics, unfinished wood, natural stone surfaces, and painted or coated surfaces.
Grease can be one of the toughest messes to tackle. From the kitchen to the garage and driveway, having the right formula on hand makes hard jobs faster and easier while protecting the surfaces you care about. Explore Zep’s full line of degreasers to find the perfect solution for any mess in your home.
- Zep Inc.
