Keeping your wooden cabinets clean and shiny is one of the tedious tasks, especially in a space as busy as the kitchen, where grease buildup is almost inevitable. Now, there are several products, grandma hacks, and even frugal tricks, but the real challenge lies in removing grease without damaging the wood’s finish.
Wood, being a natural material, requires extra care; a few methods might damage the wood’s finish, discolor, warp, or leave scratches. So, it is important to be cautious while degreasing wooden kitchen cabinets. So, with utmost care, we have designed this guide for you to remove grease from wooden kitchen cabinets without compromising the wood’s finish.
In this guide, I will walk you through a few methods to safely clean wooden kitchen cabinets with a few tips and care. From natural solutions like vinegar and olive oil to gentle commercial cleaners, these methods should help you cut through stubborn grease with the least effort.
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8 Ways to Safely Degrease Your Wooden Kitchen Cabinets
Degreasing your wooden kitchen cabinets can be a challenging task, but only when you let the grease build. However, regularly cleaning your kitchen cabinets using the methods below can prevent buildup and make cleaning easier over time.
1. Commercial Wood Cleaner
Using commercial wood cleaner is one of the best ways to degrease your wooden kitchen cabinets, as they are specially formulated to do so. Most of these commercial wood cleaners are easy to use and do no harm to the wood finish, giving you a worry-free cleaning experience.
Materials Required:
- Commercial wood cleaner (e.g., Murphy’s Oil Soap)
- Warm water
- Microfibre cloth [view options] or sponge [view options]
How to clean wooden kitchen cabinets using commercial wood cleaner,
- Follow the instructions given at the back of the commercial wood cleaner and dilute it as directed.
- Now, dip a soft cloth or sponge into the diluted solution, wring it to remove excess moisture, and gently wipe the wooden kitchen cabinet.
- Once done, wipe with a clean, damp cloth to remove any residue, and then dry the wooden cabinets using a soft, dry cloth.
Regularly cleaning your wooden kitchen cabinets using the commercial cleaner should loosen up the grease build and help you keep your kitchen cabinets clean over time. However, ensure there is no moisture from the commercial cleaner resting on your wooden cabinet. Wringing the cloth is the most important step in this process.
Certain commercial degreaser products may work with specific kinds of wood. So, it is necessary to check if a particular commercial degreaser is compatible with the wood in your kitchen.
2. Citrus Based Degreasers
One of the eco-friendly ways to clean the grease build from your kitchen cabinets is to use citrus-based degreasers. These are not only safe but also leave a fresh scent that makes you and your guests feel pleasant.
Materials Required:
- Citrus-based degreaser (e.g., one containing orange oil)
- Microfibre cloth [view options] or sponge [view options]
How to use Citrus Based degreasers to clean your wooden kitchen cabinets,
- Spray a certain amount of citrus-based degreaser on a soft, clean cloth and gently wipe the surface of your wooden cabinet.
- Ensuring you are covering all the areas and not overspray, as it might damage the finish.
- Once done, remove the residue using a damp cloth, and then, using a clean and dry cloth, wipe off the surface of the kitchen cabinet to remove any remaining moisture.
If moisture is present on the surface, it can dull the finish of the wooden cabinets. So, it is always necessary to wipe off any remaining moisture with a dry, clean cloth once you are done cleaning the wooden cabinet.
Also Read: How to Clean Grease from Kitchen Cabinets: Grandma Hacks from Reddit
3. Vinegar and Olive Oil Mixture
A mixture of vinegar and olive oil offers a natural solution for degreasing wooden cabinets, as vinegar has properties that are well-suited for cleaning, while the properties of olive oil condition the finish. This method is perfect for those looking for a gentle yet effective way to clean their wooden cabinets without damaging the finish.
Materials Required:
- White vinegar
- Olive oil
- Microfibre cloth [view options] or sponge [view options]
How to clean kitchen wooden cabinets using the vinegar and olive oil mixture,
- Prepare the solution by mixing two parts of vinegar with one part of olive oil.
- Using a clean, dry cloth, apply the solution to a small portion of your kitchen cabinet just to note if there are any adverse reactions.
- If the solution works well with your kitchen cabinets, rub it gently over the greasy areas.
- After degreasing, buff the cabinets with a clean cloth and dry any moisture left on the cabinet.
Always remember, this method is not for regular use as it may dull the finish over time. Also, if you are not diluting the vinegar in the right proportions, it may strip off the wood finish soon as vinegar has strong properties.
4. Cornstarch Paste
Cornstarch is a gentle, non-abrasive substance that can effectively absorb and lift grease from wooden surfaces. This method is safe for tackling grease spots without harming the wood and can be effectively used as a paste for easy application.
Materials Required:
- Cornstarch
- Water
- Microfibre cloth [view options] or sponge [view options]
How to use cornstarch paste to remove grease from wooden kitchen cabinets,
- Make a thick paste of cornstarch by mixing water.
- Once the thick paste is ready, apply it to the greasy areas and let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
- Gently rub the area with a soft cloth or sponge, then wipe with a damp cloth to remove residue.
- Ensure the cabinets are fully dried after cleaning.
Thoroughly removing cornstarch from the surface is important, or else it will attract dirt. Despite being non-abrasive, harsh scrubbing can damage the overall finish, so be gentle during the entire process.
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5. Mild Detergent and Baking Soda
Mixing mild detergent with baking soda is one of those old grandmom hacks that might sound weird, but it works. Baking soda and detergent start breaking the tough grease while the gentle properties preserve the finish.
Materials Required:
- Mild dish detergent
- Baking soda
- Warm water
- Microfibre cloth [view options] or sponge [view options]
How to use mild detergent and baking soda to remove grease from wooden cabinets,
- Mix baking soda with dish detergent until a paste is formed. Remember not to use a lot of baking soda as it is abrasive in nature.
- Apply the paste to the greasy spots using a soft cloth or sponge and gently start scrubbing the area.
- Wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove all the residue, then dry thoroughly.
Baking soda is abrasive in nature, so it is best to use it as much less as possible, or else it may ruin the finish. Also, to protect the finish, it is necessary to dry the wooden kitchen cabinets properly using a dry cloth and remove any residue/moisture.
6. Mayonnaise
It may sound surprising to a lot of our readers, but yes, Mayonnaise effectively works as a degreaser for wooden cabinets due to its oil content. This conventional method is both easy and safe to use and also leaves your cabinet clean without using harsh chemicals.
Materials Required:
- Mayonnaise
- Microfibre cloth [view options] or sponge [view options]
How to use Mayonnaise to degrease wooden kitchen cabinets,
- Dab a small amount of Mayonnaise on the greasy spots of your wooden cabinet.
- Let the Mayonnaise sit for 15 to 20 minutes until the oil breaks down the tough grease.
- Wipe the cabinet spots using a clean, dry cloth to wipe off any remaining oil residue.
Do not let the Mayonnaise sit for too long, or it may attract too much dirt, and ensure you remove any oil residue once you are done.
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7. Steam Cleaner
This method requires a lot of care but does a good job of loosening and removing grease from wooden kitchen cabinets. Additionally, it is one of the safest methods as it is chemical-free and avoids abrasive solutions.
Materials Required:
- Handheld steam cleaner
- Microfibre cloth [view options] or sponge [view options]
How to use a steam cleaner to degrease wooden kitchen cabinets,
- Set your steam cleaner machine to the lowest setting and keep it a few inches away from the greasy spot.
- With the steam directed towards the greasy spot, the steam should start breaking down the grease in a few seconds.
- Immediately wipe away the loosened grease with a soft, damp cloth.
- Using a dry cloth, wipe away the moisture to maintain the finish.
Ensure you do not overdo the process, as the moisture can discolor the wood or warp the finish. Once the process is done, cleaning is the most important task, as any moisture left on the cabinet can dull the finish.
8. Lemon Juice and Baking Soda
One of the natural solutions on the list, the combination of lemon juice and baking soda, is an effective way to degrease your wooden kitchen cabinets. Lemon juice is acidic in nature and breaks down the grease, while baking soda adds scrubbing power to lift up the stubborn grease.
Materials Required:
- Lemon juice
- Baking soda
- Microfibre cloth [view options] or sponge [view options]
How to remove grease from your wooden kitchen cabinets using lemon juice and baking soda combination,
- Mix lemon juice with baking soda to form a thick paste.
- Apply the paste on the greasy spots and scrub gently using a damp, clean cloth.
- Wipe the area with a dry cloth and remove the moisture and residual. Do not overdo the scrubbing.
Lemon juice is acidic, so it is necessary to dilute the solution before using it. Alongside, baking soda is mildly abrasive and can damage the finish, so use only a light touch of it.
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Most Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
Vinegar is a popular natural cleaner. However, it can be too acidic for certain types of finishes, such as unsealed or older wood. It is best to test it on a small, hidden area to check for adverse reactions.
For antique or delicate wood, it’s recommended to use a very mild, non-abrasive cleaner, such as a diluted solution of dish soap and warm water.
Sticky residue can occur if the cleaning solution isn’t fully removed or if the wrong type of cleaner is used. Wipe down the sticky areas with a cloth dampened with warm water, and follow up with a dry cloth to remove any leftover residue. If stickiness persists, a mixture of water and a few drops of dish soap can help cut through the residue.
Grease can accumulate in the nooks and crannies of carved wood. A gentle approach involves using a soft-bristled toothbrush dipped in a mild cleaning solution (like diluted dish soap) to carefully scrub these areas, followed by wiping with a damp cloth and thoroughly drying the wood to prevent moisture damage.
Baking soda is a mild abrasive, so it should be used with caution. While it’s generally safe for tougher grease spots, it can scratch delicate or high-gloss finishes if applied too vigorously. Always use a soft cloth and gently rub in circular motions when applying baking soda to wood surfaces.
Regular maintenance is key to preventing grease buildup that can damage wood over time. It’s advisable to degrease your cabinets at least once a month or more frequently if you cook often and notice grease accumulating. Regularly wiping down cabinets with a damp cloth can help prevent heavy buildup.
Wrapping up: Degrease Wooden Kitchen Cabinets Without Damaging Them
This pretty much sums up our grandma’s hacks on how to degrease wooden kitchen cabinets without damaging them. There are plenty of more ways, and if you know any of them that work best for you, let us know in the comment section below. Also, a lot of the above-listed methods require additional care; be sure not to overdo any of them, and regularly clean your wooden kitchen cabinets to avoid any kind of grease buildup.
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