Powerful cleaner for embedded grease/dust/dirt on top of kitchen cupboards?

[MyrtlethePurpleTurtle]

I recently made the mistake of standing on a step ladder in the kitchen and saw the state of the top of the cupboards - primarily those in the cooker area but not exclusively so. And oh my, the deep 'grease' with embedded dust/dirt.

Any idea how to clean? Specialist chemical cleaners? Elbow grease ineffective. (Non chemical cleaners like white vinegar, baking soda etc entertainingly ineffective).

There must be products available. I mean, how else would specialist cleaning companies and professionals do this type of cleaning? (Or do I just leave as is 🤔 )

Many thanks!

I buy Blitz kitchen roll, enough to cover the tops of the cupboards. I use them in order and add another from the cupboard when needed (I do use a lot). I have a kitchen utensil I use to stick in the middle and get one down and use it to move them along and add one to the back (I keep 4 in cupboard). Keeps the tops perfectly clean and somewhere to store the rolls. Works for me.

Do you have a hand held steamer? That should lift it.

Elbow Grease. It’s amazing stuff. I used it for this exact task. You spray it on. Leave about 5 mins and it literally melts the Greece and it wipes right off! And after I did mine, I stuck Greece proof paper to the tops of the cupboards using decorators tape. I’m redoing them soon so I’m hoping the paper will keep the tops of the units relatively clean.

There's no miracle product and it will be hard work.I would start with hot soapy water to loosen the top layer. Use a loofah or something mildly abrasive. Then cif or similar.

Once clean use wallpaper lining paper which you can change regularly or old newspapers to line the tops of the cupboards.

I had this in a property we moved into.

i used washing liquid- don’t use non bio.
spread a good layer all over the area and then using and old towel placed over the top. I then boiled the kettle and poured that over the top of the towel. Leave it over night or for a few hours and then most of the “gunk” can be removed with the towel and thrown away.

You do need the biological washing liquid as it breaks down the enzymes that’s in the fats etc - good luck

For steam cleaning/ironing clothes? Yes, I do!

This is what I was fearing (and what previous experience was suggesting).

But there are some ideas here to try

When we moved into our house it was so thick with grease from the previous occupants I got it off with a wallpaper scraper. My second option was to burn it to the ground 🤮

I'd try a steam cleaner first, before using all those toxic chemicals. I think it would get the worst of the grease broken down which you could mop up with cloths, then finish with hot soapy (Fairy liquid) water.

I'm just suggesting this, I've no idea if it works, but it sounds like it might be worth a try!

Try the steam cleaner first since you already have it and doesn't require products.

Im getting good results using hg hob cleaner (white abrasive liquid). I did the top of one of my cupboards and top of fridge earlier this year. It always amuses me because i think i did them last year, but from the magazine or newspaper date, it was more like three years ago!!

I would try fairy degreaser spray or the pink stuff paste, if they fail I’d put the kitchen step back and walk away

Flash Spray wipe done.

Elbow Grease (the product)

I swear by Cif cream cleaner. I remember my Mum using it back in the 80's and rediscovered it, in recent years. I've always used sprays but Cif is brilliant, far better than cleaning sprays.

Boiling water destroys the enzymes that make the bio bio.

Or clingfilm

Dri Pak Soda Crystals, mixed with warm water it cuts right through the grease, really cheap too.

This is the same sodium carbonate as sugar soap but only £2 a kg rather than whatever B&Q charges for a little packet.

Good old fashioned Jif (or Cif if you’re being modern!) sorts that out a treat. And very satisfying it is too! (Edited to add the cream cleaner not the spray)

Fairy max power washing up liquid, mixed strong with boiling water. Rub on, leave to work for a bit. Wipe off. Works really well for grease.

Definitely put newspaper, old wallpaper or cling film on the top when they are clean. Makes a huge difference. I also line all my cupboards and it makes cleaning them so much easier. My nan used to do it with old wallpaper or newspaper every few months. She cooked exclusively with dripping or lard.

Fairy liquid and a scourer dipped in hot water … it’s just accumulated fat from cooking plus dust

@Icecreamandcoffee… apologies… cross post!