Being out of sight, the top of the kitchen cabinets does not end up being cleaned so often. After a while, the fat eventually accumulates, which makes the cleaning process more difficult. Know how to do it.
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14/08/2026
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A fat accumulates very easily in the kitchen, especially in areas beyond reach, so they are not cleaned so regularly. That's the case with the top of the closets.
Learn how to clean this area through an article on Martha Stewart's website.
How fat gets to the top of the closets
The top of the kitchen cabinets is one of the first areas that MaidForYou's cleaning professional Adriana Aziz checks out.
“ We found that in houses where families cook with lots of oil or fry food regularly, the top of the kitchen cabinets can be covered by a thick bed of fat and oil residues ", noted.
“ Fat accumulation is something we deal with constantly due to open cooking methods, high humidity and frequent use of oils and spices,” explains Oscar Melendez, manager of El Dorado Maroma resort.
The ‘out of sight’ factor
Over time, oil particles float and deposit onto plant surfaces and difficult to access, such as the top of the cabinets.
“ As these surfaces are rarely cleaned, layers of dirt can accumulate without being noticed for months or even years ", highlights Melendez.
How to clean the top of the kitchen cabinets
Alicia Sokolowski, chairman and co-CEO of AspenClean, recommends that the following materials be used:
– Staircase or seat;
– Microfiber panels;
– dish degreasing detergent;
– Cleaning wine;
– Sodium bicarbonate;
– spray bottle;
– Brush of small bristles or old toothbrush;
Instructions:
1. Protect the area: clean the top of the cabinets and put a towel or newspaper on the counters to absorb the splashes and, if necessary, cover the floor.
2. Install the ladder or seat: be careful when moving on a ladder or bench, since there is risk of falling.
3. Clean the top of the cabinets: use a dry microfiber cloth to remove loose dust and spider webs. “This prevents the powder from mixing with the cleaning solution,” Sokolowski said.
4. Prepare your cleaning solution: you can add a few drops of detergent to a sprinkler with warm water and shake well. Another option is to mix equal parts of white vinegar and warm water in a sprinkler.
“The vinegar dissolves the fat naturally and evaporates quickly, which is useful in humid environments,” notes Melendez, recommending adding a few drops of essential lemon oil to the mixture.
5. Apply the cleaning product: spray the solution directly on the surface and clean with a microfiber cloth. For more difficult areas, Sokolowski recommends adding sodium bicarbonate to a damp cloth to gently scrub and use a small toothbrush or a soft bristle brush to reach corners.
6. Rinse well: clean the top again with a clean and moist microfiber cloth to remove soap, vinegar or any other cleaning product residue.
7. Drying and polishing: dry well the surface of the cabinets with a clean towel to avoid stains and deformations caused by excess humidity.