Your cooker splashback will sparkle once more (Stock Image) (Image: Prasit photo via Getty Images)
When was the last time your cooker splashback actually looked clean? It might have been some time ago, and that’s precisely why one woman was asking for advice on the products most likely to make her splashback look shiny and new.
A greasy, grimy-looking splashback can make a whole, otherwise clean, kitchen look gross, and that’s why it’s important to keep on top of it as much as you can.
Of course, these surfaces are simply doing their job by protecting the wall behind them, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be made to gleam like new during a thorough cleaning session.
With growing numbers keen to step away from bleach and various harsh chemicals, people are increasingly turning to alternatives likely already sitting in their cupboards.
On the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Hints, Tips, and Tricks Facebook group, one exasperated homeowner posted: “Hi. What’s the best way to get this stainless steel backdrop (behind a cooker) cleaned? Thanks.”
The most frequently recommended solution was likely not what anyone anticipated, as the overwhelming majority suggested something you’d typically associate with bathroom storage rather than kitchen cleaning.
“Baby oil,” one member responded, while another elaborated: “Baby oil and kitchen roll, then buff with a clean dry cloth.”
“After washing with detergent and drying off, use a very small amount of baby oil and wipe over. It will be lovely and shiny and easier to clean next time, too,” a third contributor explained.
The original poster decided to give the baby oil method a go, subsequently reporting back it “worked a treat,” expressing gratitude to everyone who recommended it.
Why is it a good idea to use baby oil?
Baby oil, should you not already have some to hand, costs £1.50 for 500ml on Amazon, and is the same price at Boots.
Baby oil may seem like an unlikely ally in the kitchen, yet it can prove surprisingly effective at restoring cooker splashbacks to their former glory, particularly stainless steel and glossy surfaces that betray every fingerprint.
Once you’ve completed the initial clean, a tiny amount buffed in with a soft cloth can lift stubborn greasy smears and leave a far more uniform finish, helping water marks and streaks become far less noticeable.
The secret lies in using it sparingly: a few drops rather than a generous coating, polishing until the surface no longer feels oily to the touch.
It also presents itself as a more affordable, no-nonsense alternative to specialist sprays. A small bottle goes a remarkably long way, and given the minimal quantity required, it can prove considerably more cost-effective than repeatedly purchasing branded degreasers and shine-enhancing products.
There’s an environmental benefit to consider as well: using a small amount of a single product means fewer harsh cleaning chemicals being washed away, and fewer aerosol or trigger-spray bottles purchased and discarded over time.
However, there is one crucial caveat: oil attracts dust. Applying baby oil to a splashback that still harbours loose crumbs, cooking residue or a fine layer of dust can cause that grime to cling stubbornly, forming a sticky film that proves even more troublesome to tackle next time round.
That’s precisely why it functions most effectively as a concluding step, rather than an initial one. Thoroughly clean and rinse the surface, dry it completely, give it a swift dust, then apply the tiniest amount of oil to polish.
Executed correctly, you’ll achieve the lustre without transforming it into a dust magnet.