I first used Simple Green in Nevada at the house we rented during our Frontsight Training. The homeowners installed a brand new stainless steel glass top range the first day we were there. I was the first human to ever cook on it.
I arrogantly stuck two whole sweet potatoes in the oven for an hour. No foil, no cookie sheet. You can guess what happened. Yep, black sticky baked on, burned on, through both oven racks and all over the oven floor goo.
I thought since it was still hot and fresh that I’d just wipe it up—nope. Not gonna happen. That stuff was seriously stuck on. And surprisingly hard and brittle.
Thankfully the homeowner had a bottle of Simple Green in the laundry pantry. It took several spray and scrub attempts but the oven was restored to like new condition within the hour.
Present Day: We are selling our kitchen appliances to make room for the new design and I decided they would be worth more clean :). I shopped all over for a bottle of Simple Green and finally found one at Ace hardware. This stuff is special–not many places carry it.
On my next stop at Dollar Tree I found a bottle of similar looking stuff called Mean Green. It was only $1 so I thought it would be fun to compare the two. In the following pictures, I sprayed Simple Green on the right side of the oven and Mean Green on the left.
They are not the same product–and they did mix somewhere in the middle of the oven–not a smart thing to do. But I’m still alive to tell the tale.
Here’s how they compared:
Amount: Simple Green 24 oz Mean Green 20 oz
Cost: Simple Green $5 Mean Green $1
Dilution: Simple Green Concentrated up to 30 times Mean Green didn’t specify
Toxicity: Simple Green claimed non toxic but keep out of reach of children, avoid contact with eyes and fumes
Mean Green: Contact poison control immediately if ingested, avoid contact with eyes, skin or fumes
Odor: Both had a mild cleaning agent scent Simple Green had a touch of pine to it which was stronger smelling than Mean Green
Cleaning Powder: I couldn’t tell a difference between the two.
Tips: Let the cleaner sit at least 3 minutes before wiping, but not long enough to dry. Wipe up the first layer (paper towels are very effective for this, but expensive.) Then spray, rest, and wipe again. The stuff will come off in layers until the cleaner can penetrate all the way to the oven. Wear rubber gloves for either cleaner. Use a plastic scraper (like what comes with baking stoneware) for big chunks. You’ll need to follow up with a glass cleaner on the doors since both cleaners left a streaky residue.
Final verdict: The cleaners didn’t work as well on 1 year old baked on junk as they did on fresh stuff. For some spots my old baking soda and dishsoap with a scrub pad is still better. But if toxicity isn’t an issue for you the Mean Green seemed to have just as much cleaning powder as the Simple Green for a lot less money.
Thank you for doing this comparison. I have used Mean Green on the toughest cleaning messes around my house. A word of warning… when we moved into a house w/painted cabinets I sprayed them down because they were nasty. As I started to wipe the paint came off with the grime. Could have been the paint but idk 🙂 it’s pretty tough stuff. I wondered about simple green. Nice to know they work about the same. Thanks again!
Interesting! I’ve never heard of either, but my oven desperately needs to be cleaned so…
As always your insightful comments are useful and appreciated! I am a big believer in Dollar Tree (not to be confused with all the other “Dollar Stores which are NOT). Had never noticed the Mean Green but will certainly look for it. Thank you!
I can’t stand most cleaners since I am sensitive to the fragrances, I read once to sprinkle baking soda on the bottom, then spray it down with water (or vinegar in some “recipes”) and leave it overnight. Wipe away the next day. Worked for me and no fumes! I keep forgetting and it smells burnt every time we use the oven lately. 😉
I have used many cleaners/removers and have experienced the usual; fumes/damage to the environment/ need to wear gloves, etc. I have founded a product called stain solver. It’s expensive when compared to the products you mention, but it’s a green product and I found that it replaces everything else I have. I use it in the washer, to clean ovens, floors, roofs, etc. I will send you the website. I comes from, Ask the Builder, Tim Carter. Go to http://www.stainsolver.com
Simple Green is carried at most walmarts and kmarts, but its not found with the major cleaners. Its found in the automotive department.
Jennifer, Thanks for that tip. I would have never found it!
I was impressed to find out more information on other cleaners but thank goodness for Melalueca . I needed help 6 years ago for health reasons and found Melalueca. I am very pleased with price, cleaning durability, and it comes to my door. There are so many other things this company has to offer and no toxins. Thank you Melaleuca for saving my home. Lets save the children mission. Debbie Carey
Debbie, I have a box of Melaluca at home and am diving through their cleaners too. I’ve loved everything I’ve used so far. The price isn’t close to the savings of homemade natural alternatives, but they do work better.
I must respectively disagree. As a 61 year old, I have used both many times on different items and MEAN GREEN is MUCH STRONGER, and removes dirt that Simple Green cannot.