My kitchen cabinets are 'gummy '... any ideas on how to clean them?

Question

I have tried a few different ways to clean my kitchen cabinets, but with no luck.

Susan Sparkowski Hurley · Answer

I use Magic eraser sponges, the one that's designed for bathrooms. Built in soap, and the sponge itself dissolves everything gunky.

LLC · Answer

I agree with the Magic eraser (or store brand item).  TSP is also a great degreaser.  We used it on cabinets that had been exposed to propane for many years in an old house we refurbished.  It did an amazing job.  Maybe use the TSP with the magic eraser for even better results.  Please be sure to read cautions on the TSP as it is a strong cleaner.

Ter7066763 · Answer

magic erasers are great, you can also try goo-gone.

Shirley Harlan · Answer

I use a mixture of Baking Soda, white vinegar,  and a few drops of Dawn Liquid Dish Soap  made in to a paste like consistency then use it to clean the wood cabinets in my Kitchen.  the dawn liquid and white vinegar will cut the grease and the baking soda acts as an abrasive.

Sue longstreet · Answer

Tsp is a great degreaser works really well to clean cabinets then when finished give them a coat of liquid gold to bring life back into the cabinets if they are wood if painted a fresh coat of paint new handles and your kitchen will look new again

Kathy Foster · Answer

Having the same problem, I use TSP. be sure to follow the directions and rinse with a clean cloth

Janet Pizaro · Answer

You can use Cabinet Magic which is a cleaner and polisher all in one if the other solutions do not work for you.

Johnchip · Answer

Try using plain cheap Alcohol  It is the base ingredient in most degreasing products.

William · Answer

Regular alcohol will not work good. ***** I agree with Shirley Harlan, Sue longstreet, Kathy Foster, and  Janet Pizaro.***** 
Dirty, greasy kitchen cabinets require thorough cleaning to look their best. Standard cleaning products may not cut through the grease, but denatured alcohol cuts through grease and grime buildup. Denatured alcohol, sometimes used as a paint stripper, works best on natural-finished wood and oil-based finishes. It can remove shellac-based finishes and softens latex paint, so only use it to clean cabinets with these finishes if you want to remove the entire finish. After a thorough cleaning, a natural-finished cabinet just requires a thin coat of wax to bring back its shine and beauty. *****
Put on a pair of gloves to protect your hands and open a window in the room where you are working. Denatured alcohol produces fumes, so it requires good ventilation. *****
Fold a disposable rag into a large square and dampen it with the denatured alcohol. Rub the cabinet door with the rag, refolding the square to a clean side as it becomes soiled. Add more alcohol to the rag as needed so it remains damp. Replace the rag once it's completely soiled. ***** 
Allow the alcohol residue to evaporate off the cabinet doors for 10 to 15 minutes. Wipe any areas that still appear soiled a second time with a clean rag and alcohol. *****
Place the used rags in a sealed metal container filled with water for disposal. A metal container minimizes fire danger since denatured alcohol is combustible. *****
Dip a clean rag into paste wax. Rub the wax into the clean cabinet doors to provide protection and replenish the shine. Wipe the excess wax from the cabinets with a clean rag. *****

Tips & Warnings: Test denatured alcohol on the inside of a cabinet door or in another hidden place to verify that it won't damage the wood or finish. Denatured alcohol is flammable. Do not use it near pilot lights, candles or other open flames.

Cindy Hagemann · Answer

Murphy's Oil soap is the best stuff!

Five little hens · Answer

I've found anything with PURE orange oil in it works wonders!  Cuts through everything, including gunk on the grill.

Linda DeVore · Answer

You can use equal parts of vinegar and water. Put in a spray bottle and wipe down. May take some muscle, depending on how gummy they are.

Susan · Answer

Barkeeper's Friend in the spray bottle

Wowhavs · Answer

Could try Goof Off from Lowe's

CeCe813 · Answer

I'd say use a microfiber cloth.  My range hood fan does not work, so I have the same sort of gummy build up that happens in a kitchen. You may have to rub, but should not have to use a lot of pressure; it seems repetition is the key. You will feel less resistance as dirt is removed. When your cloth glides easily, the surface is clean : ) I cleaned my cabinets with warm soapy water and a microfiber with good results.

No17446715 · Answer

Have you tried Dawn dish soap?

Kathy · Answer

Awesome from the dollar store.

Tamar Lundeen · Answer

Oil dissolves oil.   Try Murpheys oil soap.  If it is natural wood finish and not paint, don't use the micro sponge and tread lightly with the micro cloth, they can remove the sheen.  You can use the micro sponge on painted surfaces just go lightly, too strong or too long of a scrub will take the paint off as well.  Yes, I speak from experience on my own cabinets as well as several years of fire and water damage restoration work.  It takes more time than effort to wear it down.  The best thing to do is to prevent it by washing down the cabinets at least once a month.

Cindy · Answer

Agree with the oil solution. We had a large space where floor tiles came up & had left a gunky sticky mess on the floor. We ended up using motor oil since it's kind of thick, poured all over & let it sit for a while. Came back with a rubber spatula & started scooping up the mess. You'd have to remove the cabinet doors to lay flat or find another medium that wouldn't run.  This was just our solution for a miracle that didn't cost us much. Good luck!

Rog · Answer

Try GOO GONE. Yes, that's the real name of the product. I find it works where most don't and if the finish is still solid Goo Gone won't hurt it.

MaryAnn Zielinski · Answer

Vinegar & water. 5 parts water to 1 part vinegar ( white distilled).

Sharon Roscher · Answer

TSP worked wonders on our kitchen cabinets. Just be careful. Wear gloves & eye protection.

Olga · Answer

I tried several products but Super Strength Greased Lightning Classic Cleaner and Degreaser works. Bought at Ace Hardware.

Debbie Dericks · Answer

I agree with Olga..... The absolute best is super strength greased lighting. Spray it on and wait 30 seconds and wipe. This is the only cleaner I use now. Wonderful stuff.

Rynn · Answer

Not sure if you are up for a new look. I once got a pretty nightstand off the curb. Only problem--- sticky on top.  I scrubbed it with steel wool and a little Dawn which worked great, BUT it took most of the shine off. This was a happy accident;  I scrubbed over the entire piece and it was so gorgeous!! kind of a French Country look.

Mar8291236 · Answer

Try a product called 'Awesome'  I get at the dollar store and it truly works.  Brings back the shine too.

Betty Lee · Answer

Simple Green all ppurpose at Fred Meyer I think but it is an all purpose cleaner  and found in the automotive department also WD-40 also works and it helps with a lot of things including shining silver ware.

Maria Roth · Answer

Rub them with a microfibre cloth with some baby oil and then use ordinary liquid dish washing detergent to remove. Or try using Windolene.

Crystal Meyer Griffith · Answer

The gummy could be dirt/grease/grime build up or it can be the finish deteriorating. If cleaners don't work, it may be the finish. You could try wiping them down with mineral spirits to see if that removes the gummy feel. If so, you could then refinish with a clear polyurethane to get the finish you want, i.e. shiny, matt or flat.

Lana Weaver · Answer

Thank you so much for your suggestions! I'm still working through them 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

My kitchen cabinets are "gummy "... any ideas on how to clean them?

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My kitchen cabinets are "gummy "... any ideas on how to clean them?

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