Grease accumulates on kitchen cabinets almost imperceptibly from cooking oils, food debris, and greasy hands. While many people turn to bleach, lemon juice, or shop-bought degreasers, one ordinary household item can tackle grime just as efficiently.
Meleyna Nomura of The Kitchn tested five methods for cleaning greasy cupboards. She found the most effective approach is a two-minute technique using only washing-up liquid.
How to clean greasy cabinets with washing-up liquid
Nomura combined a few drops of Dawn dish soap with warm water in a small bowl to create a cleaning solution. She submerged a sponge in the mixture, squeezed out excess water, and scrubbed cabinet surfaces, focusing on stubborn grease buildup.
The grease lifted effortlessly. After cleaning, she removed lingering soap residue with a clean, damp cloth and left the cabinets to air-dry.
Rating the method five out of five, Nomura said: "This option is definitely the way to go for greasy kitchen cabinets." She added: "My greasiest cabinets were cleaned with almost zero effort as the classic dish soap cut right through the grime."
Dawn dish soap is an American brand, but the UK equivalent is often considered Fairy washing-up liquid, according to In The Wash. Both are produced by Procter & Gamble. Fairy Liquid can be bought for as little as 89p at Tesco or Aldi.
How to prevent grease buildup
Keeping kitchen cabinet grease at bay requires regular cleaning and simple preventative measures, according to Oven Clean. Adequate ventilation with an extractor fan, cooking with lids on, and using splatter guards can significantly reduce grease accumulation. Storing oily products in sealed containers and promptly wiping spills helps maintain cleaner surfaces.
