How to Clean Up Bacon Grease Spills on Your Floor

Frying up crispy bacon in the morning can make your whole house smell amazing But those greasy splatters on the kitchen floor? Not so much. Hot bacon grease can splatter and leave behind a slippery, sticky mess

Cleaning up bacon grease from the floor takes a little extra effort. But it can be done with some tried and true methods. Here’s your guide to getting rid of bacon grease on the floor quickly and safely.

Why Bacon Grease Makes a Mess on Floors

Before we dig into cleaning, let’s look at why bacon grease causes such a problem on kitchen floors

When bacon is cooked, all the fat that melts out gets very hot and fluid. This makes it easy for grease to splash out of the pan. The hot grease droplets adhere to the floor.

As the grease cools, it coagulates and sticks tightly to the floor surface. It binds to the pores in materials like wood or concrete. The grease also attracts dirt and dust, creating an even bigger mess.

Spills from frying bacon can leave oily patches. Run-off from cooking sheets creates greasy trails No matter how it gets there, it leaves floors grungy and slippery

How to Remove Bacon Grease from Floor Surfaces

Cleaning up bacon grease spills takes a little extra work compared to cleaning a counter or stovetop. Here is a step-by-step process:

Step 1: Let the Grease Cool and Solidify

Hot bacon grease can continue spreading if you try to wipe it up immediately. It’s best to let the spill cool and solidify first, which takes about 20-30 minutes. The grease clings less when cooled.

Step 2: Blot Up Excess Grease

Once cooled, start by blotting up any thick pools of grease. Use paper towels or rags to absorb as much excess as possible. Scrape off any hardened bits.

Step 3: Apply a Degreasing Cleaner

Spray on a degreasing cleaner like diluted dish soap, oven cleaner, or an enzyme cleaner like Simple Green. Check that the cleaner is safe for your particular flooring.

Let the degreaser soak for 5-10 minutes to penetrate the grease.

Step 4: Scrub Away Stains

Use a stiff scrub brush, sponge, or scrubby pad to scrub the greasy areas. Apply some elbow grease to break up the stuck-on grease.

Scrub gently on delicate surfaces like wood or laminate. Avoid abrasives that can damage the flooring.

Step 5: Rinse and Dry the Floor

Wipe the floor clean with a sponge and clean water. Dry thoroughly with towels to prevent spots or sticky residue.

For porous floors, sprinkle corn starch or baking soda to absorb moisture and grease from the pores. Vacuum up after 20-30 minutes.

Repeat cleaning if any visible grease remains. Grease stains need persistence to remove fully.

Other Tips for Cleaning Bacon Grease off Floors

Here are some additional tips for cleaning up bacon grease spills:

• Place baking sheets or splatter guards around the stove when cooking bacon. This helps contain the mess.

• Clean up spills ASAP before traffic spreads the grease around. The quicker the better.

• Use degreasers safe for your particular floors. Avoid harsh alkalis on waxed or finished surfaces.

• For concrete floors, sprinkling cat litter or sand can help absorb pooled grease when it’s still liquid.

• Repair any etching or other damage to floor surfaces to prevent permanent stains.

• Schedule periodic deep cleaning for the floors near cooking areas to prevent heavy buildup.

Protect Your Floors in the Future

The best defense is preventing those messy bacon grease spills in the first place. Here are some pro tips:

• Cook bacon in the oven on a foil-lined sheet pan. This contains most of the grease.

• Fry bacon in a splatter screen or cover the pan with a lid. This blocks grease from flying out.

• Cook bacon on lower heat. High heat makes the grease spray more.

• Drain bacon on paper towels before serving. Don’t dump grease down the sink.

• Store cooled bacon grease in a sealed jar for flavoring other dishes later.

• Lay down splatter mats or floor runners when cooking. These help protect the floors.