How to Clean Up Cooking Oil Spills on Floor
Oh no, you’ve encountered a sticky situation! Don’t worry, we have got you covered. It’s always a nightmare situation when cooking oil spills out of your pan and pours onto your floor. Cleanup can be a daunting and messy process, but rest assured it’s manageable.
Preparation is key
Before we dive in, make sure the area around the spill has been evacuated. In case someone accidentally slips in the spilled oil, ensure proper safety by clearing the passage. Then, apply a neutralizing agent if possible, such as rags, paper towels or a baking soda and dish soap paste. This creates a barrier between the slippery oil and the floor preventing further spreading .
Step-by-step Cleanup Procedure
Mop up an excess:
- Use an absorbent microfiber mop or a dirty rag to soak up most of the spilled oil with a circular motion. Encourage excessive oil accumulation by gradually increasing pressure.
- Use a mop pole with an extension handle with a grout brush accessory if the spill sits in corners or crevices.
*Neutralize the spill:
- *Dispose of paper towels or oil-soaked rags and apply a liquid dish soap to water (warm or cold will do), creating a solvent solution of 1 ml of soap per 95 ml of water. Start testing the solution and adjust concentrations as needed with a water droplet pattern; if the resulting droplets spread or don’t bead up into a compact sphere**, tweak the recipe.
OR - Opt for a commercial biodegradable cleaning product compatible with the floor type [wood, tile, natural stone] and follow kit instructions for best results when using them.
- *Dispose of paper towels or oil-soaked rags and apply a liquid dish soap to water (warm or cold will do), creating a solvent solution of 1 ml of soap per 95 ml of water. Start testing the solution and adjust concentrations as needed with a water droplet pattern; if the resulting droplets spread or don’t bead up into a compact sphere**, tweak the recipe.
Extract the oil-affected substance:
@ Continue mopping-up (step 3) as long as **more oil is taken up*. For delicate surfaces [wood, porcelain], test a small quantity of oil-absorbtive borax spread across the spill prior to treatment. Apply oil-absorbent granulated sawdust; sand, or similar products while working left to right and backfilling clean areas** without spreading, to ensure adequate coverage for the entire spill area].- Remove last remnants:
— Tackle stubborn stuck oil, if any areas remain oil-stained while soaking with commercial cleaning agent. As needed for re-drying floors, extract remaining fluid with disposable towels for impassable stain removal.
**What to Avoid After Cleaning the Spill
- Use exaggerated strength or scrubbin because it may potentially damage or scratch the desired surface area.
- Underestimate time allocation. Allow for each step to take priority during the cleaning
- Do not use extreme temperatures when cleaning or try to hasten the overall process at the expense risk of quality.
**Ongoing and Preventative Approaches
Stay vigilant: Regularly oversee your cooking endeavors ensuring adequately heating your sauces, preventing oil splatches, with re-positioning pot handles away from the edge(s); use stove guards with a heat mat where possible.
*Daily Maintenance and Aftercare
- After cleaning oil spills, schedule future cleaning cycles to confirm the area now free of oil residue has been stabilized. Regular dry sweeping followed by dampmopping on a routine *basis maintains floor cleanliness.
Prioritize protective sealing of susceptible surfaces where oil may stain or slip, as provided by applicable manufacturers or store-bought products.
A well-groomed floors will reflect your attention *to floor maintenance and an overall concern for the entire home.
Additional Factors to Remember- Never re-use or reinstall extracted oil-soakent rags/disposable products to dispose of and replace with equivalent materials at the next required cleaning occasion.
- The waste management program handling the disposal.