How to clean kitchen cabinets with Dawn (dish soap)?

Abby
by Abby

I use Dawn to wash my dishes, but I've heard it can also be used to clean kitchen cabinets. How??



  19 answers
  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Dec 10, 2017

    I put hot soapy water with just enough Dawn detergent to make it soapy in a dishpan, apply with a Magic eraser sponge, rinse with a clean one and dry with a microfiber cloth. If that doesn't do it for you, a TSP substitute may be needed.

  • Lise Lise on Dec 11, 2017

    I like Dawn detergent mixed with baking soda for some oomph. I would use a washcloth to scrub but a magic eraser like the previous post would work fine as well!

  • Diana Deiley Diana Deiley on Jan 06, 2016
    I use Dawn dish soap and warm water. For deep cleaning, I use Barkeepers soft soap and warm water. For wood cabinets I would use the same products. ** Never use an abrasive scrubber. ** I always use an old washcloth. Use water sparingly and always dry immediately with a clean cloth. Recently I've tried Pinesol blue which has a wonderful fresh scent. Great in bathrooms!
  • Nancy Nancy on Jun 26, 2016

    I had this and used dish soap, ammonia, and water. Washed off and then rinsed with clean water. It was amazing how easy it came off.

  • Pam Walker Pam Walker on Mar 04, 2019

    DAWN & water with a cold water rinse. Run a sink full of water like you're fixing to clean your dishes. With an old white undershirt, dip it in the water & wash your cabinets. After washing each one, with a separate clean undershirt, wipe down with plain cold water. Let them dry & polish with Pledge or Murphy's oil soap. That will give them a shine. Hope this helps. :)


  • Pauline Pauline on Apr 09, 2017

    I just read an article, might have been on here, to take baby oil and paper towels and rub the greasy stuff off the cabinets. After that, clean with Dawn and some water. It should work!

  • Ebbjdl Ebbjdl on Sep 11, 2017

    First clean with a bit of dish soap and hot water. Wash with Murphy's oil soap, follow directions on the bottle, and let it dry for 2 days. Finish it off with Rejuvenate, a great product that will give a beautiful shine. Good Luck!

  • Tammy Tammy on Sep 12, 2017

    Mix one cup of warm vinegar, one cup of hot water, and a healthy squirt of dawn in a squirt bottle, spray on cabinets, and rinse clean.

  • Corinne Corinne on Jun 26, 2016
    i had a similar situation once, i used hot water, white vinegar and a little dawn dishwashing detergent
    • Kiakornas Kiakornas on Sep 20, 2016
      Yes! That's what worked, except that for vinegar I used Windex which is vinegar based... I basically followed your recipe and it worked.
  • Abbie Abbie on Jun 09, 2020

    I have found the Dawn Powerwash to be incredibly effective. I spray it on, allow it to sit a few minutes then remove with a sponge and then dry cloth. I’m

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Apr 30, 2018

    Mix a 50/50 solution of vinegar and warm water and put 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 dish washing detergent (Blue Dawn Detergent works the best on grease) to the vinegar and water solution to clean extremely grimy cabinets.


  • Mac1718663 Mac1718663 on Oct 10, 2018

    I only use the dawn with the little duck on it, I fine it better than the dawn

    with out the little duck. I added Clorox and hot water and cleaned our

    porch and rails plus fence out front next to road and out back. Wish

    i had knew this years before. Wear rubber gloves.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Oct 26, 2021

    I use it with baking soda and a bit of water to make a degreasing paste that you can use to scrub.

    I would caution you to be sparing in your use of water cleaning your cabinets. My cabinet maker reminded me they are wooden furniture, although sealed, so you want to clean and treat as such.

  • Lindsay Aratari Lindsay Aratari on Oct 26, 2021

    Water it down a bit and then use a magic eraser with it!

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Oct 27, 2021

    Yes use very hot water and 6 squirts of dish soap in to a sink of water then use a soft cloth squeeze out well and was down

  • Michelle Leslie Michelle Leslie on Oct 28, 2021

    Hi Abby, we mix up equal parts of vinegar and water, with a teaspoon or two of dishwashing liquid added in a spray bottle. Give it a good shake and spray it on to the cabinets. Leave for a few minutes and then wipe off with a clean cloth or sponge. For the little nooks and crannies, an old toothbrush does the trick.

  • I use TSP substitute in a spray bottle mixed with water and a rag. Cleans grease right off with zero effort. It's much less messy than a bubbly soap which would require a lot of rinsing.

  • Mogie Mogie on Nov 13, 2022

    I just use Dawn. Fill up a spray bottle with water and about 1/4 cup of Dawn. Spray the cabinets after you do the dishes and wipe them down. Now the kitchen should be clean for the next hour or so.