Everything You Need to Know About Cleaning Grease in One Place
When I was a kid, my mom would never let us have bacon in the house. We could order it at restaurants, but we were banned from making it for breakfast (and lunch and dinner). For the longest time, I thought it was her compromise for the fact that we were Jewish but didn’t keep a kosher kitchen. Turns out, she just didn’t want to deal with cleaning up the grease! (Now, as an adult with my own kitchen, I make bacon but only in the oven. I guess I am my mother’s daughter … )
The thing about grease is that it has this magical ability to get EVERYWHERE. It splatters (or drips) on your shirt. It flies through the air, landing on your cabinets, your pendant lights, your stovetop, your oven door, etc. Ideally, it shouldn’t STAY there, though. So we’ve rounded up the very best ways to deal with grease and grease stains. Ready? Here goes.
1. The Best Way to Deal with Cooking Grease
What to do with that pan full of bacon grease? Do not — we repeat, do NOT — pour it down the sink. Or the toilet (it needs to be said!). Poured down a drain, that grease can build up and clog the pipes or, worse, cause a bigger sewer issue. Instead, store it in a sealed container so that you can use it again. If you can’t use it again, let it firm up (pour it into a mug and stash it in the fridge) before you toss it in the trash.
Read more: The Right Way to Deal with Cooking Grease
2. The Best Way to Get Grease Stains Out of Clothing
With all those cookouts on the calendar this summer, you’re bound to get some burger grease on your favorite shirt. It’s a fact of life. Luckily, the best grease-remover is already in your kitchen. You’ll find it right next to your kitchen sink — it’s liquid dish soap! Just squirt a dab onto your soiled item, let it sit, and then launder as usual.
Read more: How To Remove Grease Stains
3. Another Way to Get Grease Out of Clothing
Turns out, chalk is super absorbent, which means it’ll suck grease right out of clothing. Try this method if you can’t wash the item right away.
4. The Best Way to Clean Greasy Kitchen Walls and Backsplashes
Even if you clean up splatters as they happen, your kitchen walls and backsplashes can take a beating and build up a gross layer of grease. Once again, liquid dish soap comes to the rescue. (Not super surprising because it’s formulated to cut through grease!)
5. The Best Way to Clean a Greasy Stovetop
If you haven’t noticed a pattern here yet, you will now. Because, once again, we’re calling for liquid dish soap.
Read more: How To Clean a Greasy Gas Stovetop with Just Soap and Water
6. The Best Way to Clean Sticky Cooking Grease Off Cabinets
Ever look at your cabinets and have a moment of confusion? You could have sworn they were white … and yet, they’re looking pretty gray? And then you get closer and realize the ARE white, they’re just covered in grease? Don’t worry — you can get them back in tip-top shape. Yes, with some liquid dish soap.
7. The Best Way to Deal with Grease on Top of Your Kitchen Cabinets
This tip has nothing to do with dish soap! If you have upper cabinets that don’t go all the way up to the ceiling (or even an exposed fridge), that top surface basically becomes a magnet for grease and grime. Line the top with sheets of wax paper, and cleaning up becomes as simple as swapping out the paper.
8. The Best Way to Clean Grease Off Your Enameled Cookware
Your Le Creuset or Staub Dutch oven is a piece of art and deserves to be displayed. But that means it’ll probably get covered with grease over time. Try making a paste of Bon Ami and water and letting it sit directly on the stains for a few minutes. Then, give it a wash and it should look good as new.
9. The Best Way to Clean Your Greasy Oven Door
See all those brown spots? They’re not supposed to be there! Chances are, they’re on your oven door, too. Luckily, one of our former editors spent a lot of time figuring out the best way get that glass nice and clean. And she shared her method with the rest of us.
10. The Best Way to Clean Greasy Stove Grates
Stove grates can get just as greasy as the oven door — all the splatters, spills, and whatnot. Give them a bath in the sink with some dish soap and some Bon Ami.
Read more: How To Clean Enameled Cast Iron Stove Grates
11. The Best Way to Clean Grease Off Glass Pendant Lights
Grease on your glass pendant shades not only makes your space look dirty, but it also makes it darker because light has a harder time getting through. Get yourself a microfiber cloth and some vinegar and get to cleaning.
12. The Best Ways to Clean Grease Using Pantry Staples
In addition to that liquid dish soap, there are a few other ingredients in your pantry that can help you clean up grease. Keep reading to find out what they are.
Got another greasy problem that you need help with? Leave your questions in the comments below and we’ll try to answer them in future stories!