I need to remove 10 years of grease build up on wood kitchen cabinets

Question

I tried murphy's oil, spic & span, goof off with a scrubber and lots of elbow power, yet the grease build up is still noticeable on part of the cabinet and walls. I didn't want to remove the cabinets or sand if possible. Any help is appreciated.

Cherie · Answer

If you've done all that and it's still covered in grease, I'll bet it's not grease! Try a little bit of Mineral Spirits on a piece of it that's not very noticeable and see if it comes off. It may be a refinishing product someone applied to the cabinets. Although, I don't know why it would be on your walls. Mineral Spirits can be found at any hardware store. If that doesn't work, I'd go with stripper - the gentle kind. Good luck!

Jami Moery · Answer

I have found vinegar works for almost everything. If it is grease, use 1 part Dawn and 2 parts Vinegar.

Fran · Answer

I just cleaned cabinets in a rental house using Crud Cutter from Lowe's. I bought the concentrate, but diluted it according to the directions for use on the cabinets. I sprayed it on and let it sit for about 3 min. then scrubbed it with a strong bristle brush. The crud came right off and it didn't damage the wood. I used Crud Cutter full strength on the tile floor using the strong bristle brush. The floor was awful, and it came right up. It also works great on faucets.

Sherrie · Answer

I have a commercial cleaning company and this is what we use.  It is the only thing I have found to cut that heavy nasty grease.  We buy it at Sam's in a three pack.  It is in the automotive section.  We wear rubber gloves, and spray this onto a rag not directly into the cabinets.  Then rinse really well.  This is a oven cleaner, and degreaser it is the only thing I have found that works well.
Pro force we buy it at Sam's Club, or go to a automotive and look for a heavy degreaser cleaner.

Patricia Harvey · Answer

awesome cleaner available at dollar general & family dollar

Deirdre Sullivan · Answer

I had the same problem. Here's what I did. I first scrubbed off the grease using a toothbrush dipped in dish soap ( use only a soap that cuts grease) and water. I kept the sudsy water in a plastic container right by my side. I also used a rag to catch dripping water. It will get the grease off. You will have to stop often to de-gunk the toothbrush. Afterwards I wiped all the wood down using Method Wood cleaner. It comes in a spray bottle. It smells fantastic and it really rejuvenated the wood. Now I wipe down my wood cabinets a couple of times of month. My cabinets were DISGUSTING before-- the grease was like gum on parts of the cabinets. You can try using a bigger brush too if you like but the toothbrush seemed more effective.

P.A. Anderson · Answer

I'm surprised no one has suggest TSP. It is used primarily to clean surfaces prior to painting I believe. At any rate, before I painted my cabinets I was told to wash them down with TSP and that would clean all the 'gunk' off them. It did...and it was easy.

Justfixit · Answer

I had the same problem, use TSP, it works. I sometimes had to spend one whole hour on a door but it works. I used TSP, Dawn, and Mr. Clean. It works.

Bonnie Lee Spencer · Answer

vinager and baking soda....nichole curtis uses this all the time!!!!!

Julie · Answer

krud cutter..or crud cutter , not sure on spelling,,got it at Menards..worked great!!

Michelle Seigal · Answer

Have you tried Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser? Just plain water and the magic eraser did wonders on my cabinets! Good luck!

Lee · Answer

TSP will do the job, BUT--it may also take off the finish….Take care with the acount of power you use--read directions and carefully follow.

Cynthia · Answer

Have you tried rubbing alcohol? That's what I use on my stove hood. Be sure to turn off any pilot lights if you have a gas stove.

Kelly N Dave Couvelha · Answer

try fantastik. it is along the line of 409 but way better!

Minerva Santillan · Answer

I tried Proforce degreaser from Sams as suggested by Patricia Harvey and it worked great on the upper cabinets and ceiling. I did have to reseal the cabinets because when I used goof off on the lower half of the cabinets it did strip some of the cabinets. I went to my local Ochards home store and the sales person in the department also suggested krud Kutter for real wood cabinets. I would like to thank everyone for the suggestions and help.

Linda · Answer

Try Purple Stuff, Purple Rite...or any similarly named purple degreaser...find it in the automotive department of almost any store that sells automotive products. Use it in a well ventilated area. It's pretty strong...not good for your lungs. I have been using it for 20 years or more for virtually everything that needs removing. I found it through my husband's business. He had an automotive repair business for 44 years. I use it on laundry...including baby clothes. It's a fabulous degreaser...and stain remover of many stains of unknown origin. I even removed some old varnish from an antique chair.

Terrial · Answer

Could it be Purple Power?

Deb K · Answer

Hi Minerva, hope this helps you out.

https://www.thekitchn.com/clean-greasy-cabinets-22932246

I need to remove 10 years of grease build up on wood kitchen cabinets

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I need to remove 10 years of grease build up on wood kitchen cabinets

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