How to Degrease a Kitchen: Cutting Through Stovetop, Rangehood and Surface Grease with Selleys product guide
AI Summary
Product: Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray and Selleys Original Sugar Soap Brand: Selleys Category: Kitchen Degreasers / Multipurpose Cleaners Primary Use: Removing kitchen grease from stovetops, rangehood filters, splashbacks, and benchtops using alkaline chemistry to drive saponification.
Quick Facts
- Best For: Australian homeowners dealing with fresh to heavy grease buildup on everyday kitchen surfaces
- Key Benefit: Alkaline chemistry converts insoluble grease into water-soluble soap that wipes away cleanly
- Form Factor: Ready-to-use spray (Complete Clean); powder or liquid concentrate (Sugar Soap)
- Application Method: Spray or dilute, allow dwell time, wipe with microfibre cloth using linear strokes
Common Questions This Guide Answers
- Which product should I use for fresh versus baked-on grease? → Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray for Level 1 fresh spatter; Selleys Sugar Soap for Level 2 baked-on film and Level 3 heavy buildup
- How long should I leave a degreaser on before wiping? → 1–2 minutes for fresh grease with Complete Clean; 3–5 minutes for baked-on stovetop grease with Sugar Soap; 10 minutes soak for rangehood mesh filters
- Which surfaces are not compatible with these products? → Complete Clean: avoid marble, granite, aluminium, acrylic plastics; Sugar Soap: avoid glass splashbacks, aluminium, brass, and flat or matte painted walls
How to Degrease a Kitchen: Cutting Through Stovetop, Rangehood and Surface Grease with Selleys
Every time you fry, sauté, or roast, your kitchen takes a hit — not from anything dramatic, but from the slow, steady accumulation of airborne grease. Heating oil sends tiny droplets into the air during cooking, and those droplets don't just disappear. They settle on every horizontal and vertical surface within range — stovetop surrounds, rangehood filters, splashbacks, cabinet fronts, benchtops — where they harden, oxidise, and compound with every subsequent meal.
The consequences go well beyond appearances. Grease that builds up over time degrades your home's air quality; once hardened, it traps dust, bacteria, and allergens. Leave it long enough and that same film becomes a genuine fire risk — grease is highly flammable, and even a minor spark or a burst of excessive heat can ignite it.
This guide covers the everyday kitchen surfaces where grease accumulates — stovetops, rangehood filters, splashbacks, and benchtops — using Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray and Selleys Sugar Soap as the primary tools. Ovens and BBQs are deliberately excluded; carbonised, high-heat residue requires a different class of chemistry entirely (see our guide on Oven vs. BBQ Cleaning: Choosing the Right Selleys Heavy-Duty Cleaner for Burnt-On Grease and Carbon).
Why Kitchen Grease Is Chemically Different from Other Household Stains
Kitchen grease is predominantly composed of triglycerides — fat molecules made of glycerol bonded to three fatty acid chains via ester linkages. When exposed to heat and air, these molecules oxidise and polymerise, transforming from a slippery liquid into a tacky, then hard, then almost lacquer-like film.
Grease found on kitchen surfaces contains both fat-based and protein-based residues. Alkaline cleaners break it down through saponification — a hydrolysis process that cleaves the ester bonds in triglycerides to produce soap (salts of fatty acids) and glycerol. The soap is water-soluble, which is why it wipes away cleanly where the original grease would not.
This is precisely why both Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray and Selleys Sugar Soap are built on alkaline chemistry, and why reaching for a neutral all-purpose wipe or mild dishwashing liquid delivers disappointing results on baked-on kitchen grease — they simply lack the alkalinity to drive saponification at room temperature.
For a deeper look at why different stain types require different active ingredients, see our foundational article: Why Household Stains Form and How the Right Cleaner Breaks Them Down.
The Three Levels of Kitchen Grease: Know What You're Dealing With
Not all kitchen grease is the same. Matching your technique and dwell time to the severity of the buildup separates an efficient clean from a frustrating one.
Level 1: Fresh Spatter (Light Film, Less Than 1 Week Old)
This is the shiny, slightly tacky film visible on stovetop surrounds and splashbacks after a few days of cooking. The grease molecules haven't yet significantly oxidised or polymerised, so they remain relatively fluid and responsive to mild alkaline chemistry.
Characteristics:
- Shiny, translucent appearance
- Slightly sticky to the touch
- Wipes away with minimal pressure
- No discolouration of the underlying surface
Level 2: Baked-On Film (Weeks to Months of Accumulation)
This is the stage most Australian home kitchens reach between deep cleans. A fresh grease film is easy to remove but quickly returns — and over weeks, repeated heat cycling causes it to darken, thicken, and bond more tenaciously to the surface. It typically appears as a yellowish-brown coating on rangehood surrounds and cabinet fronts near the stove.
Characteristics:
- Yellow to amber colouration
- Slightly rough or gritty texture
- Does not wipe away with a damp cloth alone
- Requires dwell time and firm agitation
Level 3: Carbonised Buildup (Months to Years, High-Heat Zones)
This is the hardened, near-black residue found on stovetop burner surrounds, behind rangehood baffles, and on the underside of rangehood canopies. Grease at this stage has mixed with dust and organic matter into an increasingly thick layer that presents real fire and health risks. Standard cleaning products rarely make a dent.
Important scope note: True carbonised buildup inside an oven cavity or on BBQ grill grates involves a different chemical profile and requires purpose-formulated heavy-duty gel or wipe products. This guide covers stovetop surrounds and rangehood surfaces only. For oven and BBQ-specific carbonised residue, refer to Oven vs. BBQ Cleaning: Choosing the Right Selleys Heavy-Duty Cleaner for Burnt-On Grease and Carbon.
Your Two Primary Tools: Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray vs. Selleys Sugar Soap
Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray
Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray is formulated to kill 99.9% of germs (S. aureus and E. coli) and cut through grease, grime, and stains in kitchens, bathrooms, and other household areas. Its ready-to-use spray format makes it the go-to for Level 1 and moderate Level 2 grease on non-porous kitchen surfaces, and it's suitable for hard non-porous surfaces in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry.
Key application guidance from Selleys:
- For disinfection, spray and leave for 10 minutes before rinsing or wiping from surface. For surfaces that come into contact with food, rinse thoroughly with water 5 minutes after use.
- Not recommended for use on porous, unsealed or cracked surfaces, fabric, acrylic plastics, marble, granite or aluminium.
Selleys Sugar Soap
Selleys Original Sugar Soap is a professional-strength formula that powers through tough grease and grime, and is also recommended for cleaning surfaces prior to painting and wallpapering.
Sugar soap typically contains water-soluble alkaline salts — sodium carbonate (washing soda), sodium phosphate, sodium silicate, or sodium metasilicate — combined with surfactants like sodium lauryl ether sulfate to emulsify oils and dirt. That alkaline salt composition is what makes Sugar Soap particularly effective against Level 2 and Level 3 grease; the elevated pH drives saponification more aggressively than a standard spray cleaner.
It can be used on tiles, benchtops, cooktops, appliances, bathroom surfaces, and outdoor applications. One important caveat: wipe off immediately from aluminium and brass surfaces, and rinse well from glass before the product dries.
Dilution guidance from Selleys:
- Dilute 250 ml of sugar soap in 2.5 litres of water for general cleaning. Use a mop or cloth; for tough stains use neat with a non-scratch scouring pad.
Surface-by-Surface Degreasing Guide
Stovetop Surrounds and Burner Grates
The stovetop is the primary grease generation zone. Gas burner surrounds and the flat areas between hotplates accumulate both spatter and the fine mist of aerosolised oil that settles during high-heat cooking.
For Level 1 (fresh spatter):
- Allow the stovetop to cool completely before cleaning.
- Spray Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray directly onto the surface.
- Allow a 1–2 minute dwell time to let the alkaline chemistry begin saponifying the grease.
- Wipe with a microfibre cloth in straight strokes — not circles, which redistribute grease.
- For food-contact adjacent areas, follow with a clean damp cloth rinse.
For Level 2 (baked-on film):
- Apply Selleys Sugar Soap at a stronger dilution (approximately 1 part Sugar Soap to 5 parts water) or use neat on a damp non-scratch scouring pad for stubborn spots.
- Allow a 3–5 minute dwell time. For very tough grease, the full 5 minutes makes a noticeable difference.
- Scrub with a non-scratch pad using firm, linear strokes.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry immediately.
Removable grates and trivets: Soak in a sink of warm water with a diluted Sugar Soap solution for 10–15 minutes before scrubbing. Warm water accelerates the saponification reaction and delivers noticeably better results with less effort.
Rangehood Filters and Canopy Surfaces
The rangehood is the single highest-grease-concentration surface in any kitchen. Grease-laden vapours rise from the cooktop and settle inside hoods, filters, and fans. Metal mesh filters act as grease traps by design, which means they need more aggressive degreasing than open surfaces.
Rangehood canopy (exterior and underside):
- Use Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray for weekly maintenance wipes.
- For monthly deep cleans, apply Selleys Sugar Soap at a medium dilution (1:7) with a microfibre cloth.
- On vertical surfaces, apply the product to the cloth rather than directly to the surface — this controls run-off and keeps the solution where you need it, rather than letting gravity pull it straight down.
Rangehood mesh filters:
- Remove the filter according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Place in a sink or tub. Pour a concentrated Sugar Soap solution over the filter and allow a 10-minute soak.
- Scrub both sides with a stiff-bristled brush.
- Rinse thoroughly with hot water and allow to dry completely before reinstalling.
- Frequency: monthly for households that cook daily; fortnightly for households that fry regularly.
Why this matters beyond cleanliness: Fans and vents coated with grease have to work harder to function effectively. That strain shortens their lifespan and increases the likelihood of malfunction — quite apart from the fire risk a clogged filter presents.
Kitchen Splashbacks
Splashbacks sit directly in the line of fire from stovetop cooking and accumulate both spatter and the fine oxidised film characteristic of Level 2 grease.
Tiled splashbacks (ceramic/porcelain):
- Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray is the right daily or weekly tool for ceramic and porcelain tiles.
- For grout lines that have absorbed grease and discoloured, a Sugar Soap scrub is a good first step before assessing whether a dedicated grout product is needed (see our guide on Grout Cleaning and Whitening: How to Restore Discoloured Grout with Selleys Grout Stain Whitener).
Glass splashbacks:
- Use Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray for grease removal, then follow with Selleys Complete Clean Glass & Mirror Spray for a streak-free finish.
- Do not use Sugar Soap on glass splashbacks — residue is very hard to remove from glass surfaces.
- For hard water spots or mineral scale on glass splashbacks alongside grease, refer to Hard Water Stains and Soap Scum on Glass and Shower Screens: Which Selleys Product Works Best?
Solid surface / laminate splashbacks:
- Both Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray (for regular maintenance) and Selleys Sugar Soap (for periodic deep cleans) are appropriate. Sugar Soap is suitable for all modern washable surfaces, including walls, floors, tiles, and laminated surfaces.
Benchtops
Kitchen benchtops accumulate a combination of direct food-contact grease, splatter migration from the stovetop, and the fine airborne film that settles on all horizontal surfaces.
Stone benchtops (engineered quartz):
- Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray is suitable for engineered quartz, which is a non-porous sealed surface.
- The product is not recommended for marble or granite. For natural stone benchtops, use a pH-neutral cleaner and consult the stone supplier's maintenance guidelines.
Laminate and solid surface benchtops:
- Both products are appropriate. For a periodic deep degrease of laminate, a diluted Sugar Soap solution applied with a microfibre cloth and followed by a thorough water rinse delivers outstanding results.
Stainless steel benchtops:
- Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray is suitable. Always wipe in the direction of the grain to avoid micro-scratching.
- Exercise caution with Sugar Soap around stainless steel splashback surrounds and always test in an inconspicuous area first.
Cabinet Fronts and Walls Adjacent to the Stove
These surfaces are often the most overlooked, yet they accumulate a significant invisible grease film over months. Sugar soap works well here — it's most often associated with pre-paint cleaning, but it's equally effective at stripping grease and dirt from kitchen and bathroom surfaces in everyday use.
For painted cabinet fronts and walls:
- Use a diluted Sugar Soap solution (1:10 for painted surfaces) applied with a lightly damp cloth.
- Work in small sections, top to bottom.
- Wipe off the excess with a damp cloth immediately and dry the surface thoroughly — don't leave it sitting.
- Avoid using Sugar Soap on flat or matte painted walls unless you're retouching. It can discolour or scuff the paint.
Dwell Time Reference Table
| Grease Level | Surface | Product | Dwell Time | Technique |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (fresh) | Stovetop, benchtop | Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray | 1–2 minutes | Microfibre wipe, linear strokes |
| Level 1 (fresh) | Splashback (tile/glass) | Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray | 30 seconds–1 minute | Wipe and rinse |
| Level 2 (baked-on) | Stovetop surround | Selleys Sugar Soap (1:5 dilution) | 3–5 minutes | Non-scratch pad, linear scrub |
| Level 2 (baked-on) | Cabinet fronts / walls | Selleys Sugar Soap (1:10 dilution) | 1–2 minutes | Damp cloth, top to bottom |
| Level 2–3 | Rangehood canopy | Selleys Sugar Soap (1:7 dilution) | 5 minutes | Apply to cloth, wipe vertically |
| Level 3 (heavy) | Rangehood mesh filter | Selleys Sugar Soap (concentrated soak) | 10 minutes soak | Stiff brush, both sides |
Key Takeaways
- Match the product to the grease severity. Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray handles Level 1 fresh spatter on most non-porous surfaces. Selleys Sugar Soap is the right escalation for Level 2 baked-on film and Level 3 heavy buildup on rangehoods and stovetop surrounds.
- Dwell time is non-negotiable. Alkaline degreasers work through saponification — a chemical reaction that needs time to convert insoluble triglycerides into water-soluble soap. Wiping immediately after application dramatically reduces effectiveness.
- Surface compatibility matters. Neither product is appropriate for marble, granite, unsealed natural stone, aluminium, or brass. Sugar Soap must not be used on glass splashbacks or flat/matte painted walls.
- Rangehood filters are the highest-priority surface. Clogged filters force fans to work harder, reduce ventilation efficiency, and present a genuine fire risk — monthly cleaning is the minimum for regular cooks.
- This guide covers everyday kitchen surfaces only. For carbonised residue inside ovens or on BBQ grates, a purpose-formulated heavy-duty product is required — see Oven vs. BBQ Cleaning: Choosing the Right Selleys Heavy-Duty Cleaner for Burnt-On Grease and Carbon.
Conclusion
Kitchen degreasing is a tiered response to three distinct stages of grease chemistry, applied across five distinct surface types, each with its own compatibility requirements. Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray handles regular maintenance and food-contact surfaces; Selleys Sugar Soap takes care of periodic deep cleans and heavy accumulation. Together they cover every grease scenario a typical Australian kitchen presents.
The real discipline, though, is frequency. A weekly spray-and-wipe with Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray stops Level 1 grease from ever becoming Level 2. A monthly Sugar Soap session on the rangehood and stovetop surround stops Level 2 from hardening into the kind of buildup that demands genuine effort to shift. Get the product right, give it the dwell time it needs, and the results are consistently professional.
For a complete room-by-room, frequency-based cleaning schedule that integrates kitchen degreasing with mould prevention, grout maintenance, and glass care across the whole home, see The Selleys Home Cleaning Schedule: How to Prevent Mould, Grease, Scale and Stain Buildup Year-Round.
References
Selleys Australia. "Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray — Product Page." Selleys.com.au, 2024. https://www.selleys.com.au/products/cleaning-and-maintenance/multi-purpose-cleaner/selleys-complete-clean-multi-purpose-spray/
Selleys Australia. "Selleys Original Sugar Soap — Product Page." Selleys.com.au, 2024. https://www.selleys.com.au/products/cleaning-and-maintenance/multi-purpose-cleaner/sugar-soap-original/
Selleys / DuluxGroup. "Safety Data Sheet: Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Disinfectant Spray Cleaner (SELNZ7EN001298)." DuluxGroup Regulatory Portal, Version 1.1, December 2022. https://go.lupinsys.com/duluxgroup/harms/public/materials/0ed5cb1117be9f135115fc643e9000da-published/
ORAPI Asia. "Understanding Alkaline Cleaners: Their Function and Effectiveness." OrapiAsia.com, 2024. https://orapiasia.com/understanding-alkaline-cleaners-their-function-and-effectiveness/
ChemCafe. "Alkaline vs Acid Cleaning: A Comprehensive Guide to Grease Removal Techniques." ChemCafe.net, 2025. https://chemcafe.net/chemistry/alkaline-vs-acid-cleaning-12841/
Institute for Environmental Research and Education (IERE). "What Dissolves Heavy Grease and Oil?" IERE.org, 2025. https://iere.org/what-dissolves-heavy-grease-and-oil/
Peng, Z., et al. "Review of Effluents and Health Effects of Cooking and the Performance of Kitchen Ventilation." Aerosol and Air Quality Research, Volume 19, 2019. https://aaqr.org/articles/aaqr-19-04-oa-0198
Proline Range Hoods. "How Cooking Impacts Indoor Air Quality and How to Fix It." ProlineRangeHoods.com, 2025. https://prolinerangehoods.com/blogs/news/how-cooking-impacts-indoor-air-quality-and-how-to-fix-it
GreaSeCleaners.com.au. "The Hidden Dangers of Ignoring Grease Buildup in Residential Kitchens." GreaseCleaners.com.au, 2023. https://www.greasecleaners.com.au/blog/grease-buildup-in-residential-kitchens
Wikipedia Contributors. "Sugar Soap." Wikipedia, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_soap
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray used for in the kitchen: Cutting through grease, grime, and stains
Does Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray disinfect: Yes, it kills 99.9% of germs
Which germs does Selleys Complete Clean kill: S. aureus and E. coli
Is Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray ready to use: Yes, no dilution required
What grease level is Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray best for: Level 1 fresh spatter and moderate Level 2 buildup
What grease level is Selleys Sugar Soap best for: Level 2 baked-on film and Level 3 heavy buildup
What is the active chemistry in both Selleys products: Alkaline chemistry
Why do alkaline cleaners remove kitchen grease: They drive saponification, converting grease into water-soluble soap
What is saponification: A chemical reaction where fats react with alkali to form soap and glycerol
Does saponification require dwell time to work: Yes, the reaction requires time to complete
What happens if you wipe immediately after applying an alkaline cleaner: Effectiveness is dramatically reduced
What is the minimum dwell time for Selleys Complete Clean on fresh grease: 1–2 minutes
What is the dwell time for Selleys Complete Clean on a splashback: 30 seconds to 1 minute
What is the dwell time for Sugar Soap on baked-on stovetop grease: 3–5 minutes
What is the dwell time for Sugar Soap on rangehood canopy surfaces: 5 minutes
How long should rangehood mesh filters soak in Sugar Soap solution: 10 minutes
What dilution ratio is recommended for Sugar Soap on stovetop surrounds: 1 part Sugar Soap to 5 parts water
What dilution ratio is recommended for Sugar Soap on cabinet fronts and walls: 1 part Sugar Soap to 10 parts water
What dilution ratio is recommended for Sugar Soap on rangehood canopy: 1 part Sugar Soap to 7 parts water
What is the general Sugar Soap dilution for cleaning: 250 ml in 2.5 litres of water
Can Sugar Soap be used undiluted: Yes, neat on a damp non-scratch scouring pad for stubborn spots
What surfaces is Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray suitable for: Hard non-porous surfaces in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry
Is Selleys Complete Clean safe on marble: No, not recommended
Is Selleys Complete Clean safe on granite: No, not recommended
Is Selleys Complete Clean safe on aluminium: No, not recommended
Is Selleys Complete Clean safe on acrylic plastics: No, not recommended
Is Selleys Complete Clean safe on engineered quartz benchtops: Yes, suitable for non-porous sealed quartz
Is Sugar Soap safe on glass splashbacks: No, do not use Sugar Soap on glass splashbacks
Why should Sugar Soap not be used on glass: Residue is very hard to remove from glass surfaces
Is Sugar Soap safe on aluminium: No, wipe off immediately from aluminium surfaces
Is Sugar Soap safe on brass: No, not recommended for brass surfaces
Is Sugar Soap safe on flat or matte painted walls: No, it can discolour or scuff the paint
Is Sugar Soap safe on laminate surfaces: Yes, suitable for laminate surfaces
Is Sugar Soap safe on tiles: Yes, suitable for tiles
Is Sugar Soap safe on benchtops: Yes, suitable for benchtops
Is Sugar Soap safe on cooktops: Yes, suitable for cooktops
What should you use on glass splashbacks instead of Sugar Soap: Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray
What product should follow Selleys Complete Clean on glass splashbacks for streak-free results: Selleys Complete Clean Glass and Mirror Spray
How should Selleys Complete Clean be applied on food-contact surfaces: Rinse thoroughly with water 5 minutes after use
How long must Selleys Complete Clean remain on a surface for disinfection: 10 minutes before rinsing or wiping
How should you wipe stainless steel benchtops: Always wipe in the direction of the grain
What wiping technique should be used on greasy surfaces: Linear strokes, not circular
Why should you avoid circular wiping motions on grease: Circular motions redistribute grease rather than removing it
What is the highest-priority surface to degrease in a kitchen: Rangehood filters
How often should rangehood mesh filters be cleaned for daily cooks: Monthly
How often should rangehood mesh filters be cleaned for households that fry regularly: Fortnightly
What happens to rangehood fans coated in grease: They work harder, reducing lifespan and efficiency
Can grease buildup cause a fire: Yes, grease is highly flammable and can ignite from a spark or excessive heat
Does grease buildup affect indoor air quality: Yes, hardened grease traps dust, bacteria, and allergens
What are the three levels of kitchen grease severity: Fresh spatter, baked-on film, and carbonised buildup
What does Level 1 grease look like: Shiny, translucent, slightly sticky film
What does Level 2 grease look like: Yellow to amber coating, slightly rough texture
What does Level 3 grease look like: Hardened, near-black residue
Does this guide cover oven cleaning: No, ovens are explicitly excluded from scope
Does this guide cover BBQ cleaning: No, BBQs are explicitly excluded from scope
What type of residue requires a different product class than covered in this guide: Carbonised high-heat residue inside ovens or on BBQ grates
What is kitchen grease primarily composed of chemically: Triglycerides — fat molecules of glycerol bonded to three fatty acid chains
What happens to grease when exposed to heat and air over time: It oxidises and polymerises into a hard, lacquer-like film
Why do neutral all-purpose cleaners fail on baked-on grease: They lack the alkalinity to drive saponification at room temperature
What are the main alkaline salts in Sugar Soap: Sodium carbonate, sodium phosphate, sodium silicate, or sodium metasilicate
What surfactant is commonly found in Sugar Soap: Sodium lauryl ether sulfate
What tool is recommended for scrubbing rangehood mesh filters: A stiff-bristled brush
Should rangehood filters be scrubbed on one side or both: Both sides
What is the recommended cloth type for wiping kitchen surfaces: Microfibre cloth
How should Sugar Soap be applied to vertical surfaces like rangehood canopies: Apply to the cloth, not directly to the surface
Why apply Sugar Soap to a cloth rather than directly onto vertical surfaces: To prevent run-off caused by gravity
How should removable stovetop grates be cleaned: Soak in warm diluted Sugar Soap solution for 10–15 minutes then scrub
Why does warm water improve Sugar Soap cleaning performance: It accelerates the saponification reaction
How should Sugar Soap be removed from surfaces after cleaning: Wipe off with a damp cloth immediately, then dry thoroughly
Is Sugar Soap suitable for use before painting: Yes, it is recommended for cleaning surfaces prior to painting and wallpapering
What direction should Sugar Soap be applied on cabinet fronts and walls: Top to bottom, in small sections
How frequently should a weekly spray-and-wipe routine prevent Level 2 grease: It prevents Level 1 grease from ever becoming Level 2
How often should a Sugar Soap deep clean be done on rangehood and stovetop surrounds: Monthly
Label Facts Summary
Disclaimer: All facts and statements below are general product information, not professional advice. Consult relevant experts for specific guidance.
Verified Label Facts
Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray
- Kills 99.9% of germs (S. aureus and E. coli)
- Ready-to-use format; no dilution required
- Suitable for hard non-porous surfaces in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry
- For disinfection: spray and leave for 10 minutes before rinsing or wiping from surface
- For food-contact surfaces: rinse thoroughly with water 5 minutes after use
- Not recommended for use on: porous, unsealed or cracked surfaces, fabric, acrylic plastics, marble, granite, or aluminium
Selleys Original Sugar Soap
- Professional strength and high performance formula
- Recommended for cleaning surfaces prior to painting and wallpapering
- Suitable for use on: tiles, benchtops, cooktops, appliances, bathroom surfaces, and outdoor applications
- Suitable for laminate and all modern washable surfaces, including walls and floors
- General dilution: 250 ml in 2.5 litres of water
- For tough stains: use neat with a non-scratch scouring pad
- Wipe off immediately from aluminium and brass surfaces
- Rinse well from glass before product dries
- Not recommended for use on glass splashbacks (residue is very hard to remove)
- Not recommended for flat or matte painted walls (can discolour or scuff paint)
- Common alkaline salt composition: sodium carbonate, sodium phosphate, sodium silicate, or sodium metasilicate; surfactant: sodium lauryl ether sulfate
General Product Claims
- Selleys Complete Clean Multipurpose Spray is suited to Level 1 fresh spatter and moderate Level 2 grease buildup
- Selleys Sugar Soap is suited to Level 2 baked-on film and Level 3 heavy buildup on rangehoods and stovetop surrounds
- Alkaline chemistry drives saponification, converting insoluble triglycerides into water-soluble soap that can be wiped away
- Dwell time is required for saponification to occur; wiping immediately after application dramatically reduces effectiveness
- Neutral all-purpose cleaners and mild dishwashing liquids lack sufficient alkalinity to drive saponification at room temperature
- Warm water accelerates the saponification reaction when soaking removable grates and filters
- Applying Sugar Soap to a cloth rather than directly onto vertical surfaces prevents run-off caused by gravity
- Rangehood filters are identified as the highest-priority degreasing surface in a kitchen
- Grease-coated rangehood fans must work harder, reducing their lifespan and increasing likelihood of malfunction
- Monthly cleaning is the recommended minimum for rangehood mesh filters for households that cook daily; fortnightly for households that fry regularly
- Grease buildup is a fire risk because grease is highly flammable
- Hardened grease traps dust, bacteria, and allergens, contributing to indoor air pollution
- Circular wiping motions redistribute grease rather than removing it; linear strokes are recommended
- Stainless steel benchtops should be wiped in the direction of the grain to avoid micro-scratching
- Sugar Soap should be tested in an inconspicuous area before use on stainless steel splashback surrounds
- This guide explicitly excludes ovens and BBQs, which involve carbonised high-heat residue requiring a different product class