Gasp! Wheeze! I need a non-ammonia grease-cutting cleaner!

[VictoriaL]

I was washing the kitchen walls today and used a strong ammonia-and-water solution because it was needed. Now the walls and ceiling are all ready to be painted tomorrow, but I can barely walk up the stairs without stopping to rest (I have asthma, but fumes usually don't give me this bad of a reaction and I did keep the windows open, too). I still have to clean my restaurant stove hood (4' long, shiny stainless steel that shows any streaks) and usually use full-strength ammonia this as well, but am hoping that I can locate a good, all-purpose degreaser that works. Any suggestions? I have tried things like Fantastik and Formula 409 before and ended up having to re-clean with the dreaded ammonia.

Any suggestions would be welcome!

[mbrogier]

That orange degreaser works pretty well...if the overwhelming scent of citrus is any better. There is a good for the environment green cleaner (it's actually green) that is really good.

Wearing a face mask might help. It will probably be good for your lungs to wear it while painting anyway, since you've already irritated them. I hope your rescue inhaler is in your pocket just in case.

[VictoriaL]

Originally posted by mbrogier
That orange degreaser works pretty well...if the overwhelming scent of citrus is any better. There is a good for the environment green cleaner (it's actually green) that is really good.

Wearing a face mask might help. It will probably be good for your lungs to wear it while painting anyway, since you've already irritated them. I hope your rescue inhaler is in your pocket just in case.

Simple Green? I tried it and it doesn't work as well as I need, but I do remember seeing that orange cleaner in the store. Will pick that one up tomorrow. Yes, I'd take the overpowering scent of citrus over that awful ammonia any day!

The albuterol inhaler is sitting on the kitchen table-- it expired last March but should still be okay (note on this weeks to-do list: call doctor and get new albuterol prescription...) :o

Thanks for the suggestions!

[Cookin4Love]

What about baking soda on the stove hood? No fumes at all, and it cuts through grease really well.

[funnybone]

The dishwashing liquid DAWN is great for cutting through grease.

[mbrogier]

I remember there being a commercial degreaser that was used at the restaurant where I used to work. Pretty strong stuff, but the smell wasn't bad. I wouldn't use it for all my household cleansing, but for the really bad stuff...

I think DIF makes a wall degreaser as a paint prep. You dilute it in water and wash down the walls.

Anything has to be better than ammonia. Glad you have your inhaler handy. My husband has asthma, but he never uses an inhaler. He forgets that he could still have an attack, so I keep his rescue ihaler handy just in case. He's needed it a few times when he gets a cold.

[VictoriaL]

Wow, what a great collection of ideas! I think I will try, first, the baking soda (I buy that in large boxes at Sam's so I know I have enough!). Then, if that doesn't work, Dawn. After that, the orange cleaner. And, if the interior of that stove hood is so greasily disgusting that nothing else will do it, that product that preps walls for paint (which I will also keep in mind the next time I decide to paint the kitchen). Thanks, all! :D