Grease stains are notoriously difficult to remove, but fortunately, there are a few household items that can help you get rid of them with minimal fuss.

Why is grease so hard to remove?

Water molecules don’t cling to grease molecules, making it hard to clean with any water based products, or water alone. While you can buy commercial cleaners which will do the trick, there are some methods that use common household items and which are generally much better for the environment and your own health. Here are 5 solutions for tackling grease in your kitchen:

  1. Vinegar

If your stove, cabinets or countertops are covered with a thick layer of grease, vinegar can be used to help eliminate it. firstly, wash the area with water, then spray vinegar onto the grease and allow it to sit and work for up to ten minutes.

While you will still see the grease after the vinegar has been sprayed onto it (it isn’t a magic fix, after all!), you’ll find that it’s much easier to wipe it away with a cloth or sponge. Not only that, but by wiping surfaces down with vinegar, you should find that grease is less likely to adhere to it.

  1. Baking soda

Baking soda and water combined make a powerfully effective cleaning solution throughout the kitchen (and indeed, throughout the entire home), and is safe for both your hands and the surface it’s being used on. For the best house cleaning results, combine three teaspoons of baking soda with water until a paste is formed. Simply apply the paste to the greasy surface, leave it to work for a few minutes, and wipe away – couldn’t be easier!

  1. Lemon juice

Juice a fresh lemon and pour it into a spray bottle, before spraying any affected areas with it. Leave it to work for up to ten minutes, and then using a damp cloth or sponge, wipe the grease away and dry the surface. Tougher grease stains may require more than one application.

  1. Rubbing alcohol and salt

The dehydrating properties of salt make it ideal for drying up oil and removing it from surfaces, and when used in conjunction with rubbing alcohol, it begins to break down the grease and cause it to evaporate. Because alcohol dries almost instantly, there shouldn’t be any unsightly marks left behind once you’ve used it to remove grease from your kitchen.

  1. Liquid detergent

You may not realise it, but liquid laundry detergent is fantastic for removing oil and grease stains, thanks to its unique properties that help oil break down and peel off. Simply apply a little liquid detergent to a greasy surface and wipe away the oil. If using dish soap – which is almost as effective – apply it liberally to the surface and leave it to sit for a few minutes before washing the grease away.

Looking for an even simpler way to remove kitchen grease? Hire a maid service! Let them use their environmentally friendly techniques to get your kitchen spotlessly clean and free from grease, and let them use their own elbow grease, too!