Grease splatters are an unavoidable consequence of cooking with fat, and the longer you leave them to accumulate, the more difficult they become to clean. Luckily, there are several tried-and-true methods of removing sticky grime from surfaces like tiles or walls. This article shows you how to tackle grease and grime in the kitchen and how to avoid future build-up with some preventative cleaning tips.

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How to Degrease Your Kitchen: A Step-by-Step Guide

Removing grease and grime doesn’t need to be difficult. Here are three simple steps for effectively degreasing your kitchen appliances, cabinets, tiles, or walls.

Step 1: Clean the Surface You Want to Degrease

Using a clean cloth or paper towel, remove loose crumbs or debris from the surface you wish to clean.  Then, wipe the surface with soap and warm water to remove any remaining residue.

Rinse the cloth or towel as needed and continue wiping until the surface is free of visible food particles and dirt. Once you’ve removed the bulk of the food and dirt, move on to the next step.

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Step 2: Choose the Right Cleaning Agent

Select a suitable cleaning agent based on the surface you’re cleaning. A commercial degreaser like OceanSaver Degreaser Spray works nicely for most kitchen surfaces. It’s made from eco-friendly, non-ionic surfactants that cut through grease and grime.

If you don’t have a commercial degreaser, you can make one at home using water and vinegar. Vinegar is mildly acidic, allowing it to break down grease without harming the surface.

The same is said with baking soda. Baking soda is a mild alkali, which means it has a high pH level. When baking soda comes into contact with grease, it breaks down the bonds holding the grease molecules together. This reaction makes it easier to wipe off the grease on surfaces.

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Step 3: Apply the Cleaning Solution

If you’re using a commercial degreaser, follow the instructions on the product. In most cases, you’ll just have to spray the product onto the greasy surface, let it sit for a couple of minutes, and then wipe away the residue with a clean cloth or sponge.

Remember that wood cupboards need extra care after cleaning. When you wipe off grease from the surface, you inadvertently remove some of the wood’s protective finish as well. Wood is sensitive to moisture, so try not to saturate the surface with water or cleaning solutions. Use as much as necessary and immediately dry it with a clean towel to prevent water damage.

Leave it to dry for a few hours, then reapply a protective finish such as wood polish or wax to restore its shine and protection. If using a DIY mixture, follow these instructions:

Vinegar Degreaser

Mix 1 cup vinegar with 1 cup of warm water. Spray this solution on a greasy surface and leave it for 10 minutes before wiping it off. Use soap and water to rinse the surface and remove any remaining dirt, then dry it thoroughly with a clean cloth or towel.

Baking Powder Degreaser

For tougher grease and grime on tiles, create a paste with baking soda and water and spread it on the affected areas. Let the paste sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing with a soft-bristle brush or sponge. You can also use this mixture to remove juice and coffee stains on countertops, tarnish from copper, and discolouration on stainless steel.

A word of caution, though: baking soda is slightly abrasive, so be careful when using it on surfaces that easily scratch or damage. Try not to use baking soda on surfaces with high-gloss finishes, either, as it may dull the shine over time.

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What Degreaser Should I Use For Kitchen Walls and Tiles?

A DIY dish soap, water, and vinegar solution is safe yet effective for degreasing kitchen walls. Mix 1 tablespoon of mild dish soap with 2 cups of warm water and 1 cup of vinegar.

Spray the solution to the greasy areas of your kitchen walls and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then, scrub the walls using a sponge or cloth, adding more of the mixture as necessary. Rinse the walls with clean water then dry with a towel.

How to Prevent Greasy Build-up in Your Kitchen

To maintain a clean and grease-free kitchen, follow these tips:

  1. Regularly wipe down countertops, stovetops, range hoods, and cabinet doors to prevent dirt and grime from accumulating. Wipe these surfaces at least once every other day.
  2. When cooking, cover pots and pans with splatter guards or lids to prevent grease from splattering onto surfaces.
  3. Clean up spills and splatters as soon as they happen. Don’t let them sit and harden, as this makes them difficult to clean later.
  4. Don’t pour grease into sinks or drains. This not only makes your sink greasy but can also create potential blockages. Grease can solidify and clog pipes, resulting in expensive repairs. It also harms the environment because grease can contaminate water sources.
  5. Store oils and greasy food in sealed containers to prevent them from leaking and spilling onto surfaces.
  6. Cover the appliances on your countertop—like a toaster, microwave, or stand mixer—with a towel or cloth. This will keep them clean and protected from splattering oil.
  7. Cook with less fat and at lower temperatures. Cooking with lots of fat in high heat causes the oil to splatter and stick to surrounding surfaces. Cooking at lower temperatures reduces the amount of splattering, minimizing the build-up of grease and grime in your kitchen.

Final Thoughts

Grease and grime can be a pain to clean, but with the guide above, you can effectively tackle even the toughest messes. Commercial degreasers work well in most scenarios, but if you don’t have them available, you can always use the ever-trusty vinegar-and-water solution.

Baking powder can also be a great alternative for those looking for a natural and cost-effective option.