Degreasing

Have some serious cleaning that I need to do, while I am still motivated to do it. Efforts to engage a cleaning service have not succeeded. Gone are the days of Cameo Homes of the 1960s where everyone's mother could tap into a network of thorough and personable cleaning ladies from Spring Valley who would come each week for a fixed sum, lunch, and transportation round-trip. Now we have crews that have websites with their own logo cars who are done by lunchtime.  They follow a checklist in lieu of the homeowner guiding what needs to be done most. To degrease kitchen cabinets  and appliances on my own I have baking soda. For some sturdier objects with serious buildup, the online sources recommend ammonia. None for sale at Shop-Rite or Target cleaning sections. Went to Lowe's. Online said they had it. Did not find it on shelf. Went to customer service. They looked it up, but I had to spell it for them. It has two M's. They directed me to aisle and shelf, just what their computerized inventory list said. None there. All stores have chemical concoctions, toxic blends done by graduated chemistry majors who probably did not excel at Science Fair. Lots of glass cleaners. Lots of all-purpose cleaners with big mark-ups at all stores. No ammonia anywhere. They have vinegar with the cooking products and at Lowe's, where they had industrial concentration vinegar not suitable for a salad.

Why? Online tells me there is an ammonia shortage. Has been since 2022. Supply chain and regulatory problem. I assume the P&Gs and DuPonts who need it to blend with other products can still get it, though at a premium that they recoup on the end products. Small consumers like me that want their tea kettles and chandeliers to sparkle have to use the more toxic stuff.