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!

I use Ciff!

Those magic sponge things are good on walls.

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.)

I'd try sugar soap then repaint

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.

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

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

Soda crystals are great for that sort of thing.

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. )

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...

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!

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

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!

Good luck.