How to prepare really grimy kitchen walls for painting?

[aweewhilelonger]

We are in a rental appartment (not in the UK) and I really need to paint our kitchen. We don't have a cooker hood / extractor and this has led to the build-up of really grimy, greasy, sticky deposits on the walls and grime + dust on all flat surfaces / pipework. I'm trying to remove / clean it prior to painting. The paint on the wall is textured. The pipes are really old and I don't want to scrub at them in case they burst!

I've tried vinegar / Fairy liquid mix - no joy. I've tried a bleach cleaning spray - works a bit but still needs scrubbed, and it isn't working on the flat ledges / tops of tile edge where there's a thick layer of dust and grime welded on.

I've had a look online but all the products recommended are US and I can't find them here easily. Any suggestions of what would remove the grime AND leave a surface suitable for painting?

Cheers

And yes, we'll be installing a cooker hood asap!

[randomsabreuse]

Sugar soap. Very good at greasy walls and just rinse before painting.

[halcyondays]

you need sugar soap, B and Q or Homebase should have it.

[wowfudge]

You need sugar soap. It cuts through grease and muck and is actually specifically for cleaning prior to decorating although I use it for cleaning the kitchen.

[Lunaballoon]

A product called sugar soap is good for prepping walls prior to decorating. It really does cut through the grease.

[JonesyAndTheSalad]

If you can't get sugar soap, use a slightly abrasive cleaner similar to cif AFTER you've used a rough cloth with some Fairy Liquid.

[gamerchick]

Sugar soap. You'll have to do everywhere because that shit really works.

[PigletJohn]

yes, sugar soap, you can use a hand brush (like with a dustpan and brush) with nylon bristles, and do it several times. Some people say start at the bottom so you can see when it's clean.

If you rub it off with an old towel it will get the dirt off better.

If you seriously have pipes that will leak if you touch them, they need replacing.

[aweewhilelonger]

Ah cheers: DH has put me off sugar soap, saying that he used it and it left little hard bits all over the walls that were really hard to clean off?

[PigletJohn]

if the country you are in does not have sugar soap, ask at a professional decorating merchant what they use.

[gamerchick]

Na sugar soap is the dogs bollocks. If he's so resistant he's welcome to do it himself the hard way

[aweewhilelonger]

I'm in France: a quick google has just told me that a similar product is available here... I think I can get it in the supermarché, and it appears to be completely soluble:

Cheers all :-)

[CaroleService]

Do let us know how you get on ...

[Beachcomber]

I'm in France too and we use St Marc oxydrine. It is amazing. Cuts through grease and grime and sort of dissolves it. Doesn't mousse so easy to rinse. We are on our second house renovation and always use this for cleaning dirty old walls. It may well be French sugar soap, don't know.

Wear gloves though it dries your skin terribly.

www.amazon.fr/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=st+marc+oxydrine&tag=hydfrmsn-21&index=aps&hvadid=6323453721&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=t&ref=pd_sl_3ju15ye7fy_e

You can get in it any supermarket or diy shop. There are probably also cheaper brands. A little of it goes a long way though.