How to clean kitchen cabinets without removing the stain

Bettyallen
by Bettyallen

How can I clean kitchen cabinets without having to remove current stain?


  23 answers
  • Carol Carol on Apr 29, 2016
    I use Formby's furniture cleaner and works great.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Apr 29, 2016
    A good cabinet cleaner is Cabinet Magic . Home Depot carries the item in the cleaning dept.
  • Mcwilks Mcwilks on Apr 29, 2016
    mix 3/4 cup of canola oil with 1/4 cup 5% white vinegar, spray and wipe off
  • Kathie Hoyt Kathie Hoyt on Apr 29, 2016
    Wow. I like mcwilks idea! Never heard of mixing oil & vinegar for cleaning. I would have told you Murphy's oil soap. But the other suggestions sound better. Good Luck with that!
  • Vickie secary Vickie secary on Apr 29, 2016
    I use lemon oil on my oak cabinets. Shines them and conditions them and the best part is it smells good. Works for me.
  • Ranger Ranger on Apr 30, 2016
    Mix tsps of baking soda into one pint of hot water. Add 1 cup of white vinegar - beware, there will be a little frothing. Add to a pump stray bottle. For stubborn spots, spray and leave a minute before wiping off with a damp cloth. This my main household all purpose cleaner, and I keep bottles of it in the bathroom, toilet, and kitchen bench.
  • Elaine Schuster Elaine Schuster on Apr 30, 2016
    Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works great. If you are worried about the finish, test first in a hidden spot. I cleaned my 1963 era cabinets this way when I moved into this house. The 50 year old laminate was not damaged.
  • Bettyallen Bettyallen on Apr 30, 2016
    I will try this but will still welcome other suggestions. thanks Bettyl
  • Frances Frances on Apr 30, 2016
    clean with TSP from Lowes.
  • Anna Anna on Apr 30, 2016
    Murphy's Oil Soap mixed with a little warm water. Do it at least once a year. Use a microfiber cloth and then very gently dry with a terry towel. In addition to cleaning the cabinets, the oil is what protects the wood from drying out. Everyone used to comment on my cabinets and they were 15 years old.
  • Mcwilks Mcwilks on Apr 30, 2016
    to clean them..
  • Jeanne Martin Jeanne Martin on Apr 30, 2016
    Be careful with the magic eraser sponges. I have 1949 white laminate counters that I can't afford to replace right now. The magic erasers worked GREAT and they are pure white again. However, in my excitement of how clean they were getting I failed to notice until they dried that what shine was there was completely gone after my scrubbing. They'll be replaced so I just use some Counter Magic spray I found to bring back a little shine so all is well here. Just wanted to give you fairwarning...the poster that recommended a hidden test spot was spot on! And wait until it dries!! Doh! 😆
  • Donna Donna on Apr 30, 2016
    I like Murphy's Oil soap for cleaning wood. It cleans but doesn't remove the shine.
  • Jeannie Jeannie on Apr 30, 2016
    Jeannie Ormond Beach, FLI would use Liquid Gold on the cabinets. It not only cleans, but replenishes the moisture back into the wood and leaves it with a soft glow.
  • Jennie Lee Jennie Lee on Apr 30, 2016
    I'm sorry, but I disagree. You didn't say what color they are. Liquid gold is, from my experience, unless they make a very different product nowadays, a sort of oily surface stain intended for mainly dark brown dried-out wood finish, and to cover surface scratches. If you intend to later refinish your cabinets, do not use Liquid Gold. Use a mild soap or detergent, like Murphy's Oil Soap or dish detergent, and if there is a lot of greasy dirt, add a bit of ammonia. Open the windows, and/or run a fan. Don't use anything abrasive, and Magic Erasers ARE micro-abrasive, as Jeanne found out. Pretend you're washing a dirty child! If you don't plan to refinish, you may want to polish, afterwards. Ask someone at a place like Lowe's what to use. If you DO plan to refinish later, remember that whatever you put on the wood will need to be removed or sealed over in some way before you add a new finish. I hope it turns out great!
  • Monika Johnson Monika Johnson on Apr 30, 2016
    murphys oil soap have cabinets which are over 50 years old real wood does wonders with them
  • Lynda Dexter Lynda Dexter on May 01, 2016
    there is a product called Milseks that works GREAT!
  • Susie Martin Susie Martin on May 01, 2016
    Sounds like you are confusing Liquid Gold with Old English Scratch Cover which matches what you described. Liquid Gold is clear and always has been but is oil based. It will clean a lot of goop like grease off but if you want to clean without any oily base I recommend 20 Mule Team Borax in warm water. Do not soak the wood, just a regular wet washcloth.
  • Fran Munschauer Fran Munschauer on Oct 07, 2018

    It's impossible especially if you have decorative grooves on cupboard doors and splashed sauces that are not noticed for awhile..Never again would I install un-smoothe cupboards. Most of those oils are meant to condition them...Even on everyday furniture "Liquid Giold",etc. doesn't clean the smallest of spills. You can, literally, take a wet finger and rub residue off a coffee table better than using any polish.However, back to cupboards: I let my cupboards go too long without cleaning,..so..Don't let them get dirty??? I know people who wipe all of their cupboards down lightly every few days..HA!! I will try "soaking" with whatever soap and then lightly scrubbing/wiping. I have already damaged a spot small spot of stain...and gave up 3 months ago..will try something else today!!! Good Luck!!!

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Dec 31, 2021

    It all depends what they are made out of but soap and water never hurts

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Jan 14, 2024

    Mix a 50/50 solution of vinegar and warm water and pour it into a spray bottle. Mist on cabinets, let sit for a minute or two and then wipe clean with a soft cloth. Add a few drops of liquid dishwashing detergent to the vinegar and water solution to clean extremely grimy cabinets.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Jan 14, 2024

    Murphys oil soap, follow the directions on the bottle.