Bicarbonate of Soda: The Cupboard Staple That Cuts Grease on Kitchen Cabinets

A low-cost cupboard staple can bring surprisingly quick clarity to grimy kitchen cabinets.

Many people only notice it when the light hits the doors at an angle: kitchen cabinets look dull, greasy and frustrating to clean. Rather than buying pricey specialist degreasers, a simple reach into the kitchen cupboard is often enough. A modest white powder that most households already have can shift grease more effectively than plenty of branded products.

Why grease sticks so stubbornly to kitchen cabinets

When you fry, cook or deep-fry, countless tiny droplets of fat rise into the air. They settle as a fine film on nearby surfaces - especially on cabinets close to the hob. There, the grease binds with dust and turns into a tacky layer that’s hard to remove with ordinary wiping.

“Particularly above the hob and next to the extractor hood, a sticky mix of grease and dust builds up that water alone struggles to dissolve.”

Over time, the coating thickens. Even if you wipe regularly, you usually only tackle the obvious areas. The top edges of wall units, handles and frames are easy to overlook - and that’s exactly where the grime ends up clinging as if it has been baked on.

The simple home remedy: how bicarbonate of soda tackles grease and dirt

Bicarbonate of soda - also known as baking soda - is a genuine all-rounder for household jobs. The powder is mildly alkaline and has a gentle but noticeable abrasive action. Mixed with water, it forms a cleaning paste that helps lift greasy residue.

Mixing a bicarbonate of soda paste: step by step

• Put 1–2 tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda into a small bowl
• Add lukewarm water a few drops at a time until you get a thick paste
• Pick up the paste with a soft sponge or microfibre cloth
• Apply a thin layer to the greasy areas on the cabinet fronts
• Leave it to work for 1–3 minutes (don’t let it dry out)
• Wipe off with a damp cloth, then wipe again with clean water

If the build-up is very heavy, adding a small squirt of washing-up liquid to the bicarbonate mixture can further boost grease-cutting power. Washing-up liquid helps the loosened grease disperse in the water so it’s less likely to settle back onto the surface.

“Bicarbonate of soda breaks down stubborn, resin-like grease without attacking most kitchen fronts - an advantage over many aggressive spray degreasers.”

Important: don’t use scratchy sponges or scouring pads. The mild abrasive effect of bicarbonate of soda is sufficient to remove the layer. Pressing too hard can damage sensitive finishes such as high-gloss doors or painted wood.

Which surfaces you can clean with bicarbonate of soda - and where to be careful

Most kitchens use a mix of materials: vinyl-wrapped doors, paint finishes, solid wood, stainless steel and glass. Not every surface reacts well to every cleaner.

Material	Suitability for bicarbonate of soda	Note
Vinyl and plastic fronts	Well suited	Use a mild paste, don’t press hard, always wipe again afterwards
Painted fronts	With caution	Test first in an inconspicuous spot
Oiled solid wood	Only partly suitable	Use very sparingly and re-oil afterwards
Glass surfaces	Possible	Apply a very thin paste and rinse thoroughly straight away
Stainless steel	Well suited	Always wipe in the direction of the grain

If you’re unsure, try the paste first where it won’t be noticed in day-to-day use - for instance, on the inside edge of a cabinet or underneath a shelf.

Other home remedies that cut through kitchen grease

Bicarbonate of soda isn’t the only way to deal with stubborn greasy marks. Other kitchen staples can also work reliably - as long as you use them correctly.

Vinegar and water: powerful on grease, but not for every surface

Vinegar mixed with warm water helps loosen grease, limescale and light discolouration, and the acidity has an antibacterial effect. This solution is a strong option for ceramic tiles, glass and some plastics.

• Mix 1 part vinegar to 3 parts warm water
• Apply with a cloth and leave briefly
• Wipe again with clean water to remove odour and acidic residue

However, on delicate materials such as natural stone or certain painted finishes, vinegar can cause damage. Dull patches or pale marks are typical results of acid that’s too strong. In those situations, bicarbonate of soda is the noticeably gentler choice.

Lemon: fresh scent with grease-cutting action

Lemon juice works in a similar acid-based way to vinegar, but it’s a little milder and leaves a pleasant smell. Many people use it on lightly soiled cabinet fronts, fridge handles or worktops.

Mix for a gentle clean:

• Juice of half a lemon
• About 250 millilitres of lukewarm water
• Optional: a drop of washing-up liquid

This solution is ideal for a quick in-between wipe when the grease film isn’t too old or stubborn. For dried-on marks, bicarbonate of soda is usually the more effective option.

How to stop the grease film building up again

If you only think about your kitchen cabinets every few months, you face a bigger cleaning session each time. A handful of simple routines can push that point much further back.

Wipe down regularly after cooking

Even a quick wipe of the cabinet fronts with a damp microfibre cloth after cooking can make a real difference. At that stage, the grease particles haven’t bonded strongly yet and can often be removed without any cleaner.

• After frying or deep-frying, wipe the fronts around the hob
• At least once a week, wipe the outside of all wall units
• Don’t forget the tops of wall cabinets - that’s where a lot accumulates

A thin layer of oil as a protective film

A practical tip: after a deep clean, apply an ultra-thin layer of cooking oil. Sunflower oil or rapeseed oil both work well. A few drops on a soft cloth are enough.

“The fine oil layer acts like a barrier film - new dirt adheres less strongly and is easier to wipe off later.”

The key is to keep it truly thin. Too much oil causes streaks and attracts dust again. On high-gloss fronts, test carefully, as the sheen can change slightly.

How often a deep clean makes sense

The right schedule depends heavily on how you cook. If you fry almost every day, a thorough clean roughly every four to six weeks is sensible. In homes where little cooking is done, an interval of two to three months is usually enough.

A practical order for a bigger cleaning round:

• Wipe the fronts with a damp cloth to remove loose dust
• Apply bicarbonate of soda paste or vinegar and water, depending on the surface
• Leave it to work, then wipe thoroughly
• Treat handles, edges and the tops of cabinets separately
• Let surfaces dry and, if needed, apply a very thin layer of oil

What the terms bicarbonate of soda, washing soda and baking powder really mean

People often mix these up: bicarbonate of soda, washing soda and baking powder - they sound similar, but they don’t behave in exactly the same way. Bicarbonate of soda is pure sodium bicarbonate and is ideal for gentle cleaning. Washing soda (often sold as soda crystals) is far more alkaline and works more aggressively. In the kitchen it should only be used with great care, and not on delicate materials.

Baking powder does contain bicarbonate of soda, but it also includes acidifying agents and starch. In a pinch, you can use it, but for household cleaning it’s typically weaker and can feel stickier because the starch may leave residue. For kitchen cabinets, it’s therefore worth choosing pure bicarbonate of soda.

Practical examples: where this home remedy helps most

Cleaning with bicarbonate of soda really comes into its own wherever grease has been sitting for a long time. A classic case is wall cabinets above older hobs where the extractor hood was rarely used. You’ll also notice the difference on handles that are touched frequently with slightly greasy hands.

If you’re renting out or selling your kitchen, this kind of deep clean can create a visible improvement. The fronts look fresher and the whole kitchen appears better cared for - without needing to replace any units.

If you also improve ventilation while cooking - for example by using the extractor hood consistently and airing the room briefly - you reduce how much grease ends up in the air in the first place. Combined with the simple bicarbonate of soda approach, you can keep kitchen cabinets clean for the long term, without reaching for harsh chemicals.