Get rid of sticky cabinets in an apartment that I cannot repaint

Lisa Merritt
by Lisa Merritt

I live in an apartment complex and at my 3-year lease I requested for my cabinets to be repainted or replaced because they are SO STICKY!!! IT IS EMBARRASSING! I have tried every single thing to solve this!!! Nothing works try to every cleaner under the sun soap and water it still is so sticky and they refuse to redo my cabinets when I sign my lease So now I'm stuck please help I am so embarrassed I don't want anybody to even touch my cabinets yet it is driving me insane because I am a claim freak and they are also claiming that I am not allowed to repaint the cabinets any suggestions please I have tried the magic cleaner I have tried soap and water I have tried all different types of cleaners vinegar it just name it and I'm so sick and tired my hands are raw even when I use gloves and I cannot handle this anymore and I saw your posting please If anybody has any suggestions because I'm at my wit's end right now Thank you so much and remember I cannot paint so please do not talk about me repainting they're not allowing me to do it in the paints falling off literally right now because of all I have done to try to clean them it's just adding more fuel to the fire and driving me crazy

They are all like this it's driving me insane and I cannot believe my rental apartment will not repaint them I've left here 3 years it's driving me nuts

  22 answers
  • Judy in Canton. Judy in Canton. on Nov 04, 2021

    I'm going to guess that these cabinets were once covered with something like contact paper and that is what is making them sticky. Since you said you have tried a lot of different solutions without success I would take a cabinet door to the hardware store for them to analyze what it is. Other thoughts are to recover them with contact paper or have you tried nail polish remover? Good luck.

  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on Nov 04, 2021

    Have you tried Krud Kutter? It should do it!

  • Tuula - Color Me Thrifty Tuula - Color Me Thrifty on Nov 04, 2021

    Hi Lisa, Have you tried Goo Gone? I used it on some left behind contact paper sticky residue on some shelves and it worked great. Whenever I'm trying something I'm not sure of I always do a little test spot first so I don't waste time and energy trying something that doesn't work. Good Luck.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Nov 04, 2021

    They need to be scrubbed with a baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste. Add hydrogen peroxide a little at a time until you have a thick scrub. Then use a sponge that is stiff, I would choose scrub daddy, to work into the gunk and it will start to come off. After that, use a degreaser (Dollar Tree carries some great versions) and spray on thickly - make sure you wear a mask and goggles. Let sit for a few minutes and wipe off. Repeat as needed. This should take off all the build up.

    Another option is to use denatured alcohol or mineral spirits but they will damage the finish.

  • I use TSP substitute in a spray bottle mixed with water and a rag. Cleans grease right off with zero effort.

  • William William on Nov 04, 2021

    Murphy's Oil Soap, Krud Kutter, Goo gone, Mineral Spirits, WD40, nail polish remover. Could be adhesive residue like FrugalFamilyTimes suggests. Could be build up grease and dirt.

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Nov 04, 2021

    TSP cleaner you mix with warm water it will take off years of grime, grease etc just follow directions on box

  • I'm wondering if they were once covered with some sort of adhesive-backed paper and it was removed. That may be what you're dealing with. Try heating it with a blow dryer and scraping off as much as you can with a plastic scraper or credit card. Then use a product like GooGone for what is left behind.

  • Mogie Mogie on Nov 04, 2021

    5 Ways To Clean Grease Off Wood Kitchen Cabinets

    Hot Water & White Vinegar

    White vinegar has natural degreasing properties because it's acidic, so it's a brilliant natural way to remove grease. Hot water has heat (obviously) which can also help to break down grease and grime that is stubbornly stuck to your wood cabinets.

    Citrus Oil Multipurpose Cleaner

    Citrus oil is a natural product that you'll often find in cleaning products because it can remove grease easily. As well as its ability to remove grease from kitchen cabinets, citrus oil also has a very pleasant smell without the need for artificial perfumes.

    Baking Soda & Lemon Juice

    Baking soda isn't abrasive, yet it can help to dislodge grease and stains from your sticky kitchen cabinets. Baking soda and lemon juice are both known for their natural cleaning ability, with the acidity of the lemon juice helping to cut through kitchen cabinet grease.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Nov 04, 2021

    I agree with others' hunches that the cabinets may have been covered with contact paper, however I would not recommend using nail polish remover. For the large surface area of the cabinets you will need to purchase several bottles and disposable cloths, which will not be cheap. The largest drawback though will be the strong lingering odour of nail polish remover in your kitchen that you will have to contend with afterwards. If any portion of the cabinets are porous, it may take a long time for the smell to dissipate.


    As Anne suggested, you may need to scrape off the sticky residue.

  • I personally suggest usung TSP cleaner and also try baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste. Add tiny hydrogen peroxide on at a time until you have a thick scrub.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Nov 05, 2021

    Baby oil, Goo Gone, WD40...use a heat source like a blow dryer and a credit card to scrape. It does sound like contact paper residue you are dealing with.

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Nov 06, 2021

    Get a bottle of Amonia and use streight on the cabinets that will cone off

  • Deb K Deb K on Nov 06, 2021

    Hi Lisa, the easiest and safest way to clean kitchen cabinets with white vinegar is to mix it with equal parts of warm water and put it in a spray bottle. Next, spritz your cabinets with the solution and let it settle, breaking down the grime. Then wipe away the dirt with a sponge or brush, repeat for extra grimy spots, hope this helps you icon

  • 17335038 17335038 on Nov 06, 2021

    Folks,

    Please read the entire conversation thread before commenting.

    The poster has already stated that she has tried vinegar with no success.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Nov 06, 2021

    Hello. What a frustrating situation. Have you tried a degreaser or Murphy’s oil soap?


    http://homeguides.sfgate.com/clean-kitchen-cabinets-using-murphy-soap-104703.html


    http://www.murphyoilsoap.com/home-care/murphy-oil-soap-uses ;


    Additionally here’s a link below with some different suggestions. I hope you find your solution.


    https://www.countrydiaries.com/4-easy-ways-to-clean-sticky-wood-cabinets-with-tips/

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Nov 09, 2021

    Home Depot sells goo gone get a large bottle you will get that off with that

  • Catherine Deirdre Rodden Catherine Deirdre Rodden on Nov 09, 2021

    I would remove the cabinet doors and cover them with contact paper. They will look nicer. They will not be sticky to the touch. You can remove it at the end of the lease without having harmed the cabinets.


    You can request to have your landlord allow you to sand and paint at your own expense. I'm surprised with a three year lease in effect that they would not be more accommodating.


  • Dee Dee on Nov 09, 2021

    Go to an Auto store like Autozone and get some cleaner degreaser or get some TSP in the hardware store. That will clean them.


  • Simple Nature Decor Simple Nature Decor on Nov 09, 2021

    Do you want to remove paint

  • Rosalie Rogers Rosalie Rogers on Nov 09, 2021

    I accidently spilled some acrylic water (artificial water) on my counter top and it hardened just like it was supposed to. I used Goo Gone very carefully and a small plastic food scraper used for scraping food off metal pans. It took a lot of time and a lot of elbow grease but it worked. The Goo gone is specifically used for removing sticky residue from price tags, etc., but I have found many more uses for it. Just be careful and try a test spot first. You might want to try some combination of a grease cutter along with the Goo Gone. That is what works for me. Good luck.

  • Sharon Sharon on Nov 11, 2021

    If its grease, I use Dollar Tree Awesome Orange in the half gallon in hot water. and a big car sponge. Also get a bottle of Awesome Degreaser and some of those round plastic scrubbies.

    If its adhesive from contact paper, I use spray cooking spray and a plastic scraper and/or round plastic kitchen scrubbies.