Wiping down counters and cabinets, cleaning up spills, washing the dishes—no matter how often you do these chores in the kitchen, things are still bound to get greasy. Grease evaporates every time you sauté chicken or deep-fry donuts, and the grease doesn’t just disappear. A sticky film builds on cooktops, vent hoods, backsplashes, and even cabinets. We’re here to tell you how to degrease every surface in your kitchen so you can have a sanitary—and less sticky—cooking environment.
Best Commercial Degreasers
Commercial degreasers will dissolve stuck-on grease and goo with little effort. Easy-Off makes a powerful degreaser that you shouldn’t use on porous surfaces, aluminum, painted surfaces, or vinyl, so it’s not the first bottle you should grab for an all-purpose cleaner. Try Krud Kutter, a non-toxic degreaser that is safe on most sealed surfaces (though it is not recommended for use on varnished surfaces or leather), or Method Heavy Duty Degreaser, a gentle, plant-based product (though it should not be used on aluminum). In general, you don’t want to use commercial degreasers on sensitive surfaces like vinyl flooring. Always check the bottle to make sure it’s safe to spray on your surfaces and test in an inconspicuous area if you’re not sure. Both cleaners are biodegradable.
Best Homemade Degreaser
You can make a homemade degreaser with supplies stocked in your kitchen. Use a mixture of hot water, a squirt of dish detergent, a small pour of white vinegar, and a teaspoon of baking soda. Double up on the ingredients you add to your water for really tough grease. You can prepare this on your stove, using a small pot to heat the water first. If you prefer a nice citrus scent, use fresh-squeezed lemon juice in place of the vinegar.
How To Degrease Your Range
- First, use a cloth soaked in soapy water to remove any debris. Then, remove greasy burners and grates and soak them in hot, soapy water in the sink.
- Spray your stovetop with your degreaser of choice, allow it to sit for 10 or 15 minutes, and then wipe away with a soft microfiber cloth or sponge.
- If you have stubborn grease stains, follow up with a paste of baking soda and water, let it sit for another 10 minutes, then wipe off. You’ll also need to do this for tough, baked-on grease inside your oven door.
- Wash your burners and grates after they’ve had a good soak, then rinse and dry before replacing.
Grease can drip down the sides or even underneath a free-standing range. If you can’t get a mop under there, pull the range out a couple of times a year to wipe the sides and access the floor underneath.
How To Degrease Your Vent Hood
Your vent hood is front and center over the stove, making it the primary place where grease collects in your kitchen. Unless you’re a family that never cooks, degreasing your vent hood should be a monthly task.
- Remove grates and filters once a month to soak in hot, soapy water in the sink.
- Wipe fan blades and the hood exterior with a degreaser or hot, soapy water. Use a baking soda paste to help with stubborn stains.
- Wipe off any remaining soapy water with a soft cloth, going in the direction of the grain to buff and shine your stainless steel.
- Wash grates and filters in the sink with a sponge, using a nylon scrub-brush if needed to remove stuck-on gunk. Rinse and place them back in the hood.
How To Degrease Walls And Backsplashes
Tile backsplashes can be cleaned with most commercial degreasers, but check the label first to be certain. You can also wipe these surfaces clean with your homemade degreaser. Allow the product to soak for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping away with a clean, damp cloth.
Also, check the label before spraying degreasers on painted walls. Most walls can be safely wiped with soapy water or a homemade degreaser as long as the paint has some sheen. Use a soft cloth or sponge,e and be careful not to scrub too hard. Flat paint can’t withstand scrubbing.
How To Degrease Your Cabinets
Grease also collects on kitchen cabinets, though you might feel the stickiness before you see it. Wipe cabinet doors down weekly with a soft cloth dampened with soapy water to prevent grease from building up.
Try using a homemade degreaser or a gentle kitchen cleaner for stuck-on grease. Avoid using harsh products on hand-painted or varnished wood cabinets. You may want to play it safe with factory-sprayed cabinets, too. Don’t leave moisture to soak on cabinets; it may cause damage. Wipe cabinets dry as soon as you clean them.
