What can I use on my oak cabinets that will remove heavy grease?

Linda
by Linda
I want to refinish my kitchen cabinets. What product can I use to cut through years of grease and dirt build up?
Has anyone used a product called STP?

  11 answers
  • Ginny Ginny on Sep 03, 2017

    No but I would use warm to hot water and Dawn liquid because if it cuts grease on dishes I think it would work on cabinets. Wash then dry immediately.


    I also like Murphy's Oil Soap and Simple Green.

    • Linda Linda on Sep 03, 2017

      Thanks for your reply, I did try dawn but still sticky from grease. I will give simple green a try.

  • Cindy Curtis Cindy Curtis on Sep 03, 2017

    magic eraser and baking soda with a dash of dish soap.


  • Debbie Debbie on Sep 03, 2017

    Yes, I have used TSP many times. It does remove grease, dirt, and grime. I routinely use it to clean up furniture finds from thrift stores before I rehab these. I have used dish liquid detergent as well as Murphy Oil soap and Simple Green. With each of these, you will need to rinse the item as in clean warm water with a cloth to remove any residue from the item. Personally, if you have any of these products already I would not buy anything extra.

  • Terri Whittaker Terri Whittaker on Sep 03, 2017

    TSP (Tri sodium phosphate) is the product used for cleaning walls of grease and grime prior to painting; it will work on cabinets. It is a chemical that requires hand protection to use, so if you prefer a non chemical approach, this isn't it. But it does work.

    • Linda Linda on Sep 03, 2017

      That's what I was looking for. A friend said it made her old cabinets so much easier to clean before sanding and refinishing.

  • Izzy Izzy on Sep 03, 2017

    Plain old hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. Spray, wipe and spray, wipe again. Use an old cloth with texture....like terry cloth.

  • Wahneta Wahneta on Sep 03, 2017

    If you want a no chemical approach, I suggest getting a few rags from FlyLady,com. Use them on the rough side with plain old water and they work wonders. You can use a little Dawn soap if you want. We use Dawn to wash out the rags. They can be used over and over again for anything that you would use paper towels for--hundreds of uses. They save on trash also.

  • Linda Linda on Sep 03, 2017

    Never thought of that. Thanks I'm up to try anything at this point.

  • Granny Laura Granny Laura on Sep 03, 2017

    Hot water, a squirt of Blue Dawn, a half cup liquid Calgon Water Softener (avail in grocery stores) in a small tub will work wonders! I use it on my cabinets all the time. You will have to rinse them a little but a wet sponge and an old bathtowel make that part easy. The magic is in the Calgon - it's a terrific grease cutter. It works on your microwave and stovetop too. They'll literally be squeaky clean.

  • Wanda sinnema Wanda sinnema on Sep 03, 2017

    GP66 works its powerful.. I spray the vent mesh screen and then put it in 2-3 inches of HOT water in the sink.. I dissolves it in 1-2 minutes.. swish and rinse it off.. I'd be careful if the finish is old.. try it first on inside a cabinet.. You might dilute is a bit..

  • Sharon Sharon on Sep 03, 2017

    I use Dollar Tree Awesome Degreaser, and it is awesome. Get the car sponge while your there and the kitchen rubber gloves, and some of those round plastic scrubbies and green abrasive pads.

  • Janice Janice on Sep 03, 2017

    I use a solution of 1 cup ammonia, 1/2 cup vinegar & 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 gallon of hot water. Cuts grease, grime, crayon, fingerprints & more. Can use on painted surfaces, & sealed woodwork. Do not use on raw wood or fine furniture. No rinsing needed. Makes walls look freshly painted & woodwork shine.