Grease marks on parents' kitchen walls

[Mouseymum]

Hi all,

Please could you advise what works well to clean off grease marks on kitchen paintwork? My parents never use an extractor fan and are 'relaxed' about cleaning so there is a real build up of greasy marks. Would sugar soap work? Or something else? All suggestions welcome - thanks!

[MattDillonsPants]

I use Ciff!

[Muddlewitch]

Those magic sponge things are good on walls.

[cozietoesie]

What sort of surfaces are you talking about? And is it really bad? (I'm just wondering whether you're at the redecoration point with them.)

[LadyIsabellaWrotham]

I'd try sugar soap then repaint

[wowfudge]

Yeah, sugar soap then stain stop paint and re-paint. If it's close to the hob, etc get a splashback if there isn't one.

[Mouseymum]

Thank you all. It is quite near redecoration point really but I want to give it one last shot!

[ijustwannadance]

Washing up liquid neat on a damp cloth. It is designed to cut through grease.

[exexpat]

Soda crystals are great for that sort of thing.

[cozietoesie]

I'd honestly go for the redecoration then. Cleaning walls and paintwork at that stage is time consuming and rarely gives a great result. Is there any way you can influence an improvement in the parents' behaviour first? ( Well either way, actually. )

[Mouseymum]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think you're right cozietozie, but sadly my parents are at the point where they don't see the dirt and don't think there's a problem...

[wowfudge]

Is it that they can't see the dirt? We had an elderly aunt who was horrified how dirty her house was once she'd had her cataracts removed!

[cozietoesie]

Could they afford/tolerate cleaner assistance in one or more rooms? (Even if only occasional.)

[Mouseymum]

Hmm I think I need to have a conversation with them. DH has said he would help with repainting the kitchen (result!) so if I can get them to accept that help, job done!

[cozietoesie]

Good luck.