Like many Jewish holidays, food is the center of the celebration during Hanukkah. The eight day festivities are chock-full of presents, candle lighting and super delicious (but equally messy) latkes. Enjoying the Festival of Lights doesn’t mean your kitchen has to suffer! Here’s how to enjoy latkes without enduring a grease-fest.

Photo: An Edible Mosaic

Note: If you’re planning on painting your kitchen anytime soon, it’s very important to remove the grease first because the stains will bleed right through the new coat of paint.

1. Mix ½ cup of vinegar with ½ cup of hot (but not scalding) water.

2. Using a washcloth or soft towel, blot the greased-up wall carefully. Don’t scrub, because you’ll damage the paint!

3. With a second towel, rinse the area with warm water.

4. Allow your walls to dry. If the grease stain is still there, it’s time to break out the big guns: dish soap.

5. Squirt a small amount of dishwashing soap onto the greasy wall. Blot, don’t scrub, the soap into the wall using a soft cloth in hot water. Then, rinse the area with a second warm cloth. You might have to rinse the area a couple of times to remove all of the suds.

Now that you can clean the grease-mess with ease, go latke-crazy! If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional potato latkes this year, try this carrot-apple latkes recipe from An Edible Mosaic – sour cream optional!