How to Use Sodium Carbonate to Remove Grease

Sodium carbonate, commonly known as washing soda, has been used for many years as a household cleaner. Known for its effectiveness at cutting grease, washing soda's strong alkaline content makes it ideal for cleaning. Whether you want to remove grease from pans, surfaces or even fabric, sodium carbonate is the eco-friendly way to do so. In addition, it is far less expensive and much more versatile than many commercial cleaners.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels
• Water
• Scrub brush
• Bowl
• Spoon
• Rubber gloves
• Dish soap
• Sponges
• Rags

Instructions

Concrete Surfaces

1. Wipe up as much of the grease as possible using a paper towel. Avoid rubbing as the grease may spread further.

2. Sprinkle sodium carbonate directly onto the grease. Add small amounts of water to the washing soda until a thick paste forms.

3. Allow the mixture to sit on the concrete overnight. Scrub the area the next day with a damp scrub brush. Rinse with plain water.

Fabric

1. Pick up as much grease from the fabric as possible using a rag. Avoid rubbing, or the grease may spread to unaffected areas of the fabric.

2. Combine 4 tbsp. of washing soda and ½ cup warm water into a bowl. Mix the ingredients well using a spoon until a paste forms.

3. Rub the paste onto the grease stain using a gloved finger. Add ½ cup of sodium carbonate to the washing machine.

4. Wash the fabric as usual. Inspect the fabric for traces of grease prior to drying. Repeat the process, if necessary, before drying the fabric because the heat from the dryer will cause any remaining grease to set into the fabric.

Stoves and Burners

1. Fill the kitchen sink with about 1 gallon of warm water. Add ½ cup of washing soda.

2. Place the greasy burner into the water. Allow it to soak for about 30 minutes.

3. Remove the burner and rinse off the residue. Wash as usual with soap and water.

4. Sprinkle washing soda directly onto greasy areas of the stove top. Dampen a sponge and scrub the affected area. Rinse with a rag and plain water.

5. Wash down your stove's exhaust fan while you have the sink filled with the sodium carbonate solution. Exhaust fans are exposed to a lot of grease from cooking. Dip a rag in the water and wipe down the fan. Rinse with a rag and plain water.

Pans

1. Dampen a sponge. Sprinkle sodium carbonate onto the sponge.

2. Scrub the greasy pan with the sponge. Rinse well with plain water and wash as usual.

3. Make a paste of 2 parts washing soda and 1 part water for tough-to-remove grease. Apply the paste directly to the greasy areas of the pan. Allow it to sit for about 30 minutes, rinse clean and wash as usual.

Tips & Warnings

• Although sodium carbonate is safe for the environment, it is still caustic and should be kept away from children.

• Avoid breathing the dust from sodium carbonate.

• Wear rubber gloves to protect your skin from irritation.

• Do not use sodium carbonate on aluminum cookware.

References

• Soaps Gone Buy: Washing Soda
• Green Footsteps: Washing Soda is Environmentally Friendly
• Real Simple: 66 All Natural Cleaning Solutions