The Best Over-the-Range Microwaves
The Best Over-the-Range Microwaves
Grease is one of those things that just builds up over time. You don’t notice the thin film on top of the cabinets or the sticky residue on the range hood until one day, you do. And then you realize plain soap and water just isn’t going to cut it.
A good kitchen degreaser is a must-have, but so many of them are either too harsh or just don’t work. I’ve tried dozens over the years, from heavy-duty stuff that requires gloves to plant-based sprays for quick cleanups.
After a lot of scrubbing (and some disappointment), I’ve settled on a few that I really trust. These are the best degreasers I’ve found that actually get the job done, whether you’re tackling a greasy backsplash or a grimy oven door.

This bottle of Krud Kutter costs about $8.78 for 32 ounces, and since it’s a concentrate, it lasts a pretty long time.
This is my go-to for almost everything. I keep a diluted spray bottle under the sink for general kitchen grease, but I’ve used it for tougher jobs, too. It took off some old, dried floor wax in our utility room and even cleaned up some paint splatter in the garage. It just seems to work on that weird, hardened gunk that other cleaners can’t touch.
I also like that it’s an EPA Safer Choice product, so I feel a little better using it around the house. Just spray it on, let it sit for a minute, and that greasy film on the side of the stove wipes right off.
The Downside: My only real complaint is with the bottle itself. The spray trigger on the last one I bought started leaking a bit, which was annoying.

For around $7.99 a bottle, this stuff is pure power for tough kitchen jobs.
When I have a really bad mess, like a cookie sheet with baked-on grease or the stovetop after a big holiday meal, this is what I grab. It’s not for everyday wipe-downs. This is the stuff you use when you need to dissolve thick, sticky, cooked-on grime without spending an hour scrubbing.
It’s incredibly effective on oven interiors and grills. Just be sure to ventilate the room, because it has some strong fumes. But man, does it work. One pass and the mess is gone.
The Downside: This is a heavy-duty cleaner for a reason. You can’t use it on painted surfaces, aluminum, or other delicate materials because it will likely cause damage.
A gallon of this concentrate runs about $9.98, which is a fantastic deal because you can make gallons and gallons of cleaner from it.
I’ve been using Simple Green for years. It’s my favorite for cleaning floors, countertops, and even wiping down patio furniture. Because you dilute it yourself, you can make it stronger for greasy spots or weaker for general cleaning. It has a distinct smell, but it’s not a harsh chemical one.
It’s another EPA Safer Choice certified cleaner, which is great. I’ve even used a light solution to clean spots on fabric and outdoor cushions. It’s just a reliable, all-around cleaner that’s also a pretty good degreaser for most household messes.
The Downside: For really thick, baked-on kitchen grease, you might need to use it at a stronger concentration or just reach for something more powerful.
This spray from Method costs about $4.63, making it a great option for daily use.
This is what I keep out on the counter for quick cleanups. It smells great—not like a chemical cleaner at all—and it does a surprisingly good job on fresh grease splatters on the backsplash or stove. It uses plant-based ingredients, which I really appreciate for surfaces where we prepare food.
It cuts through that greasy film that builds up on the microwave with almost no effort. For a plant-based cleaner, its performance is really impressive. Plus, the bottle is made from recycled plastic.
The Downside: The label says not to use it on glass, unsealed marble, or soft metals like aluminum, so you have to be a little careful where you spray it.

At around $13 for a 32-ounce bottle, this Zep cleaner is a solid value for what it does.
I think of this as a great general-purpose cleaner that also happens to be a decent degreaser. It’s perfect for wiping down the kitchen after dinner or cleaning the bathroom sink. It handles everyday grime and light grease without any issues and has a clean, pleasant scent.
It’s a good product to have on hand for all those little messes that pop up around the house. It’s not a specialty product, but it’s a dependable workhorse for the price.
The Downside: If you’re dealing with very old, thick, baked-on grease, this one struggles a bit. You’ll need something with more muscle for those jobs.
The biggest thing is to match the cleaner to the mess. There’s no single degreaser that’s perfect for every single job. For the greasy film above my stove, a plant-based spray like Method is perfect. For the inside of the oven, I need the power of Easy-Off.
Also, think about where you’re using it. If it’s on a food-prep surface, I lean towards something with an EPA Safer Choice label like Krud Kutter or Simple Green. For the garage or workshop, I’m less concerned about the ingredients and more focused on raw cleaning power.
Finally, consider if you want a concentrate or a ready-to-use spray. Concentrates like Simple Green are a great value, but you have to mix them yourself. Sometimes it’s just easier to grab a pre-mixed bottle and get to work.
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