How do I clean my kitchen cabinets??

Elena
by Elena

I’ve lived in my home for almost 7 years and I’ve never climbed on my counters until a few days ago to look on top of my kitchen cabinets. The sight was horrible. I have white laminate cabinets but the tops of them are yellow. Covered in grease that has to be at least 20 years old. It’s disgusting. I’ve tried everything to get them clean. Clorox, Lysol, oven cleaner, goo gone, about 3 different “degreasers” and nothing has worked. If anything they’re more sticky than when I started. I feel like a smeared the grease rather than got rid of it. Please help! Any ideas at all would be amazing! I just want a nice clean kitchen.


  17 answers
  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Aug 12, 2021

    Try TSP (tri sodium phosphate), that will cut it. You can find it at Walmart and DIY stores.

  • Vinegar will cut through the grease. You can also add some baking soda for scrubbing.

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Aug 12, 2021

    TSP is great for cleaning off the grease and grime of kitchen cabinets you can find it at HOme Depot and Walmart follow directions and it will clean them you can also use a degreaser spray it on and let it sit for a little while then wipe off...

  • Janice Janice on Aug 12, 2021

    TSP is excellent at cutting grease.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Aug 12, 2021

    Make a scrub from baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, use a spatula to scrape up the "goop". Once you get it to a manageable level, then you can apply the degreaser.

    After you get everything cleaned, cut shelf liner (contact paper) to fit but do not pull the backing off. Cut several pieces for each section. When the top one gets dirty, throw it away and reveal a fresh piece underneath.

  • William William on Aug 12, 2021

    TSP (tri sodium phosphate), Simple Green degreaser, Krud Kutter.

  • Dee Dee on Aug 12, 2021

    Vinegar and baking soda will bubble up and clean the tops. Use a plastic scraper from the auto store or Walmart auto department. You are gonna have a lot of gunk. Then use Dawn to get the stickiness off. When clean put wax paper up there so you can just remove it and replace. If all else fails use TSP

  • Mogie Mogie on Aug 12, 2021

    Goo Gone: Make sure to wear rubber gloves, then apply commercial Goo Gone cleaner over the grease and let it sit for a minute or two. Heat a damp micro cloth in a microwave for 35 seconds, then use it to quickly wipe away the grease layer. Finally, clean the area with a mild wood soap and water, then dry completely.


    All-purpose orange oil cleaner: If your cabinets are really grimy, let the cleaner sit for up to 10 minutes after spraying. Afterward, wipe the cleaner off using a warm, damp micro-cloth.


    A wood cleaner containing Brazilian carnauba wax: Carnauba wax is an ingredient that's typically found in high-quality wood cleaners and polishes. One excellent product, called Magic Cabinet & Wood Cleaner, is a spray pump application.


    Hot water and dish soap: Dish soap is an alkaline-based product that effectively cuts through grease, especially when mixed in hot water. Mix a squirt or two of grease-cutting dish soap into a bucket of very hot water (as hot as you can stand), and use a nylon scouring pad to attack cabinet grease. Keep the water hot, and use light pressure on the nylon pad to avoid scratching the surface. Rinse and dry the cabinets when done.


  • Jessica Jessica on Aug 12, 2021

    I did not cleaning my for several years. I used dawn soap mix with some water and plastic scraper. You need to be patient and gentle. It took me a few days but know I put newspaper or wax paper. I dont want to clean it againicon

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Aug 12, 2021

    Have you tried Krud Kutter. They seem to have formulations for every need.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Aug 14, 2021

    Here are examples of the type of spatula/scraper that KathyGunterLaw is referring to. They are metal, being designed for home decorating and repair purposes; not the the plastic kitchen cooking type of spatula.


    Be sure to purchase a quality brand that is non-rusting stainless steel so that it can be washed properly.

  • Homeroad Homeroad on Aug 15, 2021

    There is a product called Krud Kutter https://amzn.to/3g06Tzht hat is a good natural cleaner. We use it before painting furniture. It works great and can be found at Home Depot or Amazon.

  • Annie Annie on Aug 15, 2021

    Just a thought...... But a mechanics de greaser should work. Like brake clean or slap-shot. Be carefull with it and have good ventilation. it stinks

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Aug 16, 2021

    If it’s very greasy you need a bottle of ammonia add that to your wash water that will clean it and break it up the grease .

  • Lauren of Mom Home Guide Lauren of Mom Home Guide on Aug 19, 2021

    I would try vinegar with baking soda first. If that doesn't work, try the TSP.