That sticky, slightly yellow film on the cupboard doors above your hob is airborne cooking grease. It builds up slowly, traps dust, and gets tackier over time. The same film clogs your extractor hood and quietly kills its suction. Here is how to cut through it without stripping paint, dulling wood, or wrecking a greasy filter, and how to stop it building so fast.
Why kitchen grease is so stubborn
Frying and roasting throw tiny oil droplets into the air. They land on nearby surfaces and cool into a thin, sticky layer. Because it is oil-based, water and ordinary wiping just move it around. Grease needs one of two things to release: a degreasing surfactant (like washing-up liquid or a dedicated degreaser) or a mild alkali (like a bicarbonate-of-soda paste) that helps break the oily bond.
Match the cleaner to the surface
The cabinet finish decides your approach. Painted and laminate doors tolerate degreaser well. Solid wood and oiled or waxed timber are fussier: strong alkalis and abrasives can lift the finish. Always test any cleaner on a hidden corner first.
Cleaning greasy cabinet doors
For everyday film on painted or laminate doors, warm water with a good squirt of washing-up liquid is often enough. Wipe with a soft cloth, then go over with a clean damp cloth to remove residue, and dry so you do not leave streaks.
For thicker, older build-up, spray a kitchen degreaser, let it sit for a minute or two so it can work, then wipe. Do not scrub dry with anything abrasive; give the product time instead. For a natural option, a paste of bicarbonate of soda and a little water lifts grease from sturdy surfaces, but keep it off delicate wood finishes.
Cleaning the extractor hood and its filter
The metal mesh filters are the part that matters most, because a grease-clogged filter cannot pull steam and smells out of the room. Most lift or clip out in seconds.
- Fill a sink or basin with hot water and washing-up liquid.
- Add a scoop of bicarbonate of soda for heavier grease.
- Soak the filters 15 to 30 minutes, then brush gently and rinse.
- Dry fully before refitting.
Wipe the hood body and controls with a degreaser cloth. Check whether your filter is a washable metal mesh or a disposable carbon filter; carbon filters are replaced, not washed.
A real example
In a Regents Park flat with an open-plan kitchen, the tenant thought the extractor was broken because it barely cleared steam. The metal filter had not been washed in over a year and was completely clogged. A 20-minute soak in hot water, washing-up liquid and bicarbonate restored the airflow. The unit was fine all along.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Using a dry abrasive pad on cabinet fronts. It scratches paint and laminate. Fix: soak the grease with a degreaser and let chemistry loosen it.
- Wiping without letting the product dwell. Instant wiping smears grease around. Fix: give it one to two minutes.
- Ignoring the hood filter. A clean hood body over a clogged filter is pointless. Fix: soak the filter monthly if you cook often.
- Using strong alkali on oiled wood. It can strip the finish. Fix: mild soapy water and a hidden-spot test first.
- Washing a carbon filter. Water ruins it. Fix: confirm the filter type; replace carbon, wash metal.
Action steps
- Identify your cabinet finish and test any cleaner on a hidden area.
- Start with warm soapy water; step up to degreaser or bicarbonate paste for thick build-up.
- Let the cleaner dwell, then wipe with a soft cloth, rinse, and dry.
- Pop out the extractor filters and soak in hot water with washing-up liquid.
- Wipe the hood body and check whether the filter is washable metal or replaceable carbon.
- Do a quick wipe of the doors nearest the hob weekly to stop build-up.
Conclusion and next step
Grease is not really about how hard you scrub; it is about using something that breaks the oil and giving it a moment to work. Your next step: check your extractor filter tonight. If it feels sticky, soak it, and set a monthly reminder so your hood keeps pulling grease out of the air instead of onto your cupboards.
FAQ
What is the best homemade grease cleaner?
Warm water with washing-up liquid handles most everyday film. For tougher spots, a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water works well on durable surfaces. Both are cheap and gentle enough for regular use, though you should still test on delicate finishes.
How often should I clean my extractor hood filter?
If you cook most days, monthly keeps the airflow strong. Lighter cooks can stretch to every couple of months. The sticky feel of the mesh is your real signal.
Will degreaser damage my wooden cabinets?
It can dull or strip oiled and waxed wood. Use mild soapy water on real timber and always test any stronger product on a hidden corner before doing a whole door.
Why does grease come back so quickly near the hob?
The cupboards closest to your cooking catch the most airborne oil. Running the extractor while you cook and giving those doors a quick weekly wipe slows the build-up dramatically.
