Correct Methods for Cleaning Kitchen Grease: Step-by-Step Guide for Stovetops, Range Hoods, Tiles, and Sinks

The key to removing kitchen grease isn't scrubbing hard—it's softening the grime first, using the right cleaner, and tackling each area methodically. Follow these steps for stovetops, range hoods, tiled walls, sinks, and floors. A complete clean of a typical 4㎡ kitchen takes about 90-120 minutes.

Before cleaning: Identify the type of grease first.

1. 1Fresh oil film (within one week): Clean with 40°C warm water and a neutral detergent; strong alkaline agents are not required.
2. 2Yellow oxidation (over 1 month): Apply alkaline degreaser, let sit for 5-10 minutes to saponify, then wipe off.
3. 3Carbonized Hard Scale (Black Spots Around Stove): Requires physical scraping with a plastic scraper; chemical agents alone have limited effectiveness.
4. 4Wear rubber gloves throughout. Ensure ventilation by opening windows or using the exhaust fan. Do not mix alkaline degreasers with chlorine-based disinfectants or acidic descalers.

Step 1: Stove and Burner (approx. 25 minutes)

1. 1Turn off the gas valve and wait until the cooktop cools to a safe-to-touch temperature (below 40°C) before proceeding. Residual heat helps melt grease, but excessive heat will cause the cleaning agent to evaporate too quickly.
2. 2Remove the pot stand and burner cap, then soak them in a basin of hot water at 60°C with degreaser for 15 minutes.
3. 3After applying degreaser to the cooktop, let it sit for 5 minutes. Wipe with a microfiber cloth following the grain. Gently scrub around the ignition needle and nozzle with an old toothbrush; do not use wire brushes to avoid clogging gas ports.
4. 4Wipe twice with a clean damp cloth, then dry thoroughly with a dry cloth to prevent water spots on stainless steel.
5. 5Clean and thoroughly dry the soaked burner caps before reinstalling. Residual moisture can cause unstable ignition.

Step 2: Range Hood (approx. 40 minutes)

1. 1Clean and disassemble every 3 months. First, cover the cooktop with old newspapers or plastic sheeting to catch dripping oil and water.
2. 2After power is off, remove the oil mesh and oil cup. Pour out accumulated oil from the cup. Soak the mesh in 70°C hot water with degreaser for 20 minutes.
3. 3Wipe the casing and panel with a degreaser. Do not disassemble the fan wheel yourself; an unbalanced impeller can cause noise and vibration. Professional handling is required.
4. 4Rinse the oil net with clean water after scrubbing, then let it dry before reinstalling. Line the oil cup with a paper towel before reattaching it to make future cleaning easier.
5. 5Power on and test for 1 minutes to confirm suction and noise levels are normal. Professional cleaning of one range hood costs approximately 150-200 yuan and takes about 60-90 minutes.

Step 3: Wall Tiles and Grout (approx. 20 minutes)

1. 1Wipe down once a week with warm water and a small amount of neutral detergent from top to bottom to prevent oil spots from oxidizing and turning yellow.
2. 2Scrub yellowed grout lines with a soft-bristle brush dipped in degreaser, then let it sit for 3 minutes before wiping. Do not use steel wool, as it can scratch the glaze and create fine grooves that trap dirt.
3. 3Apply anti-oil stickers or a sealant to the tiles near the stove after installation to cut cleaning time in half.

Step 4: Sink and Drain (approx. 15 minutes)

1. 1Rinse with water daily; clean weekly with a neutral detergent. Avoid prolonged contact with chlorine-based products on stainless steel sinks to prevent pitting.
2. 2Remove and wash the sink strainer. Pour a mixture of baking soda and warm water down the drain to reduce odors.
3. 3Wrap the faucet base with a cloth soaked in descaler and let it sit for 5 minutes, then wipe clean. Do not scrape the chrome plating with a blade.

Step 5: Flooring and Finishing (Approx. 15 minutes)

1. 1Sweep or vacuum first to remove debris before mopping; otherwise, grease will smear across the floor.
2. 2Mop twice with 40°C warm water and degreaser; use clean water for the second pass, then dry-mop to prevent slipping.
3. 3Wash and dry towels and brushes separately. Do not wash oily kitchen towels with bathroom towels.

When to seek professional deep cleaning

If the range hood hasn't been disassembled and cleaned in over six months, if wall tiles are heavily stained with grease, or if you need to clean the fan wheel and internal oil passages, we recommend scheduling a professional deep cleaning (8–12 per sq. m; kitchen-only service typically takes 2–3 hours). Attempting this yourself can damage the fan wheel and ignition components, leading to higher repair costs.