Baked on kitchen grease

[FlipFlops4Me]

So, my husband was a very keen cook until his stroke. He cooked from scratch and it sometimes seemed like the cooker was never off. He was possessive about the kitchen and I barely got a look in.

Aside from missing the food - I'm the house cook now - I discover that some of the pine cupboards are covered with that baked on grease. That doesn't come off no matter what I do.

Anybody got a genius way of stripping it off that doesn't strip the varnish off?

Sugar soap.

May take a few goes.

Ours were like that when we moved in. They might go sticky at first.

Oh and I hope your husband is doing ok x

Have you tried fairy liquid?

@twinkletoesimnot - I'd wondered about sugar soap but was a bit twitchy. I'll give it a go - well, several goes! Thanks.

@BareVanilla - what, washing up liquid? I'm trying the Fairy Kitchen stuff atm - it's brilliant as a cleaner but this baked on stuff is in a league of its own.

Yep, husband is doing OK physically but sadly has lost an awful lot of understanding which leads to some interesting (if frustrating) conversations.....

Biological washing powder, hot water and a scrubber. Leave it to soak for five minutes if it's really sticky.

Elbow grease spray. Patch test it first

@LeanneBrownsLonelyBraincell - you reckon I could pop a pod? Although buying a small box of powder wouldn't break the bank.

I do appreciate the help guys - I hate the kitchen the way it is and so want it clean and fresh. And to be able to run my fingers over a surface without flinching.

I've just cleaned the tops of some very manky, greasy cupboards with some Pink Stuff paste (Stardrops). Worked very well and not too messy at all. Was very surprised how effective it was.

@NotMyCat - just bought some. I'll try anything and everything.

Tell you what, I'll try each cupboard with a different suggestion. And I'll come back and say which product worked best!

@toomuchlikemyusername - I use a lot of The Pink Stuff around the house. Magic. But not great so far on the cupboards. Maybe I need a bit more welly. I got a feeling this baked on grease is just sat there laughing at me. Thumbing its nose.

I tend to use powder as it's grittier.

Just buy the cheapest and smallest box you can find

Yes try hot water with green fairy liquid. Apparently, According to my plumber, It has properties in it to help fat go down drains!! I used it to clean laminate wood near our oven from previous owners. Has to be green fairy though. Good luck

I feel your pain...wood in the kitchen can be a nightmare. My table and chairs are wood and I've tried everything but nothing works or at least doesn't last for long

The Pink Stuff will do it

Elbow grease is an amazing product and very cheap. Has worked on my wooden kitchen cupboards and taken off the layers of grease when we moved in. Neat bleach also works but smells.

Another vote for Elbow Grease here. I bought it following a Mumsnet recommendation, and it's amazing! Removed baked-on grease in an instant from all sorts of places that Fairy Liquid couldn't even touch.

I've got Elbow Grease coming, and I've got some Murphy's Oil (dh suggestion), green Fairy Liquid and a small box of washing powder. Oh, and some sugar soap. Also - sturdy rubber gloves!!

I''ll make a start on the units over the weekend - it'll be fun trying out all the things.

Definitely Elbow Grease for me! I soaked a cloth in the hottest water I could stand (with marigolds on) and smoothed it over the offending grease, then used the scratchy side of the spongey thing with neat Elbow Grease. Houston, we have lift-off!

Thank you all, so much.