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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

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Original poster

Those of you with open plan kitchen/family sitting area!

25 replies

HateSummer · 21/05/2017 17:56

Does kitchen grease etc flow over to your living area? Do you have to wipe down everything after every cooking session? What about sofas?

OP posts:

HeyCat · 21/05/2017 17:58

Gosh how much oil are you using in your cooking?

No ive never had any grease splatter further than the hob and the splashback behind the hob.

Original poster

HateSummer · 21/05/2017 18:02

I'm obviously not talking splatters of grease. I'm talking about things wafting over.

And I have to regularly wipe down my cupboards and the tops of them as residues can build up.

OP posts:

cushioncovers · 21/05/2017 18:05

And I have to regularly wipe down my cupboards and the tops of them as residues can build up.*

Yes this happens in our house but usual only in the winter months when all doors and windows are shut

Lunaballoon · 21/05/2017 18:10

We have a kitchen diner and even though the furniture is some distance from the cooker, grease does build up over time, particularly on the light fittings and the top of the dresser and anywhere that doesn't get cleaned very often. It's not a question of how much oil you use, any frying vaporises oil at high temperatures that settles as a fine mist.

Original poster

HateSummer · 21/05/2017 19:17

Thanks Luna. That sounds about right and I'm afraid of this. Don't particularly like the thought of having to degrease the living area every so often .

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HeyCat · 21/05/2017 21:47

Ok...I've had open plan kitchen diners for the past ten years in 6 different properties, and I've never seen any sign of any kind of grease build up or residue anywhere.

The only mist of grease is on the hob and splashback which obviously I clean regularly.

Really surprised this is a problem.

Xmasbaby11 · 21/05/2017 21:50

I have a kitchen diner. I cook a lot but never noticed any problem. The cupboard right next to the oven gets sticky on top but it doesn't go any further. It's quite a big area, though.

Xmasbaby11 · 21/05/2017 21:50

The kitchen radio is forever sticky though, can't seem to get it clean!

Longdistance · 21/05/2017 21:53

I have a kitchen/diner/playroom.

I have never cleaned any grease off anything, apart from my range.

When I cook I have the window open and the extractor fan on.

namechangedtoday15 · 21/05/2017 21:54

Also had kitchen diners for the last 5 years and have never had any grease overspill or whatever you call it. Think it may be down to the way you cook. I don't often fry things, and if I do, I use a tiny bit of oil and put the extractor on.

WhatHaveIFound · 21/05/2017 22:02

I've had kitchen/diners for 3 out of the last 4 houses so 20+ years of experience. I've never had a problem with wafting grease. It may be down to what you're cooking. We don't eat a lot of meat/fried food so maybe that helps.

Original poster

HateSummer · 21/05/2017 22:36

No I don't have a problem yet, but we're moving soon and I'm worried it will be a problem. I don't fry a lot and the space is biggish with a window. Hopefully it'll be fine.

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VimFuego101 · 21/05/2017 22:48

No grease anywhere but the kitchen, but I do find we need to burn candles/ wash curtains in other rooms to get rid of cooking smells. Probably not an issue if you can just open windows regularly which we can't where we live due to bugs and wildlife, or if you have a decent extractor fan (ours isn't great). Not really a big deal though.

VimFuego101 · 21/05/2017 22:49

We keep our deep fryer in the garage though - that smell really does cling.

HeyCat · 21/05/2017 22:50

Yes I'd be surprised if it's a problem honestly!

If you're frying then have the window open and/or extractor fan on and it should be fine.

You could also get splatter guard lids for your frying pans if really concerned.

badgersnotincluded · 21/05/2017 22:54

I've often wondered about this. There are boxes we haven't touched in top of our kitchen cupboards (quite high) and I've noticed that after 18 months there is a greasy residue on them. I use the extractor fan religiously when cooking.

I would consider open plan with floorboards/tiles and leather furniture. Not so much with fabric upholstery and carpet.

Original poster

HateSummer · 21/05/2017 23:01

I already have a lid for my frying pan . I'm not a big fan of open plan living areas tbh, I hope it'll be ok. I can't be doing with extra cleaning.

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Original poster

HateSummer · 21/05/2017 23:02

Yep got leather sofas and wood floors, so just the curtains and rug will probably need to be zoflora'd regularly

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UrsulaPandress · 21/05/2017 23:04

What on earth are you cooking?

cluelessnchaos · 21/05/2017 23:06

I find the areas close to the cooker get a film of grease on them but further away isn't affected. I wipe down with a cloth soaked in vinegar with a splodge if washing up liquid. Cuts through everything

cluelessnchaos · 21/05/2017 23:07

I do most of my cooking on the hob. Curry, stir fry, steaks, burgers. Not masses of fat but very high heats.

5OBalesofHay · 21/05/2017 23:08

Keep the doors to the rest of downstairs shut to contain to that part of the house

Astro55 · 21/05/2017 23:09

And I have to regularly wipe down my cupboards and the tops of them as residues can build up

Me too! Every time I move house

Original poster

HateSummer · 21/05/2017 23:15

I cook everything and I spend a lot of time in the kitchen which is the problem. So does my dh. I use the pressure cooker sometimes and I'm worried about condensation in the winter. I've never had an open plan kitchen before so obviously I don't know if residues will waft over to the furniture do I?!
The extractor fan is brand new so hopefully that'll work properly.

Thanks for the vinegar tip!

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cannotmakemymindup · 21/05/2017 23:21

Our downstairs is entirely open plan and this isn't a problem for us. Never spreads to the tv or anything. The only thing we've had to replace because of grease is lamp shade with light directly from kitchen area, twice in nearly six years. However we don't fry often. All our friends say our house smells pleasant.

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