Removing Grime from Kitchen Cabinets - help! Takes more!

Question

In cleaning my mom's kitchen cabinets (the grime that collects over the years - esp where your hands have touched) ... I find that the grime isn't all that is beading up to be washed off.... so is the stain!  Eeeks!  Any suggestions?  Or am I going to have to refinish these cabinets?

Jane Rowinsky · Answer

I have found that Otagon soap works well on built up grease and oil. Just rub the bar with a damp cloth and was the doors. If you cannot find Otagon soap in local grocery stores, try Walmart or Amazon.com. The finish may already be loosened by the long contact with grease.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

You may need to touch these up with some more stain. Once that is done you will want to 'top coat' them as well to protect them for future cleaning. I have been very happy with how durable Minwax wiping poly can be.

I have also used a touch of WD40 on a paper towel to get up some 'greasy' type residues. Mineral spirits also works. Oily dirt needs either a detergent or soap to bind with the oil or just a thin solvent.

Jan · Answer

Thanks, y'all !!

Jan · Answer

Minwax is actually what they used... Jocoban or something like that. I can't believe Mom remembers that.... she is a months shy of 92 - amazing that she'd recall that!

Kelly S · Answer

I use alcohol in a spray bottle to clean the kitchen grease off my oak cabinets. They are only 15 years old so the finish is still intact. Vinegar in a spray bottle may also cut the grease. Just be sure to use plenty of ventilation (open the windows turn on the fans) no matter what you use. We used poly by Minwax on most of our wood projects because it applies easily and is very durable.

Tamie A · Answer

Murphys soap works great

Vici Anderson · Answer

i heard that olive oil and baking soda work. Haven't tried it yet.

DEBRA MCLAUGHLIN · Answer

if they still have jubilee on the market it works wonders on cabnets... if not try viniger & water..

Gwendolyn Schilling · Answer

Denatured Alcohol cuts through grease pretty good.

Kim · Answer

if it built up grease use a paste of baking soda and lemon juice cuts threw grease like lighting.

Betty Fox · Answer

a spray bottle with a squeeze of dawn, a little vinegar, and fill the rest with water. it breaks the grease well and won't take off the paint or stain on the cabinets. Years ago in the 80's in the smoking days, I cleaned the paneling with ammonia and water to remove the smoke off. it worked but it probably maybe would fade the cabinets.

AmericanWoman · Answer

I use Go-Jo or Goop Hand Cleaner.  It's terrific in the laundry too.  Give the hand cleaner a shot before you refinish. Good stuff.

CDC Contracting Inc. · Answer

you can try head & shoulders, the active ingredient that kills dandruff is actually very good for tough kitchen stains, even stains on exterior siding. In my Hicksville Long Island home we love to use it for curry and other stains all over our home. If you need more help you can contact me, my info is on http://www.cdccontracting.net/gaf-roofing-hicksville-ny-11801.php

DEBRA MCLAUGHLIN · Answer

Malco Jubilee Kitchen Wax - 524815 
 $4.08 
 Quantity: 1 Change 	 
 Only 5 left in stock. 
 AMAZON.COM

DEBRA MCLAUGHLIN · Answer

Malco Jubilee Kitchen Wax - 524815 
 $4.08 
 Quantity: 1 Change 	 
 Only 5 left in stock. AMAZON.COM 
 ALSO A PLACE CALLED 'THE VERMONT COUNTRY STORE 
 IS $7.95. 
 EBAY HAS IT BUT YOU HAVE TO BUY 6 FOR $30.00 
 GOOD LUCK. 
 DEBRA

Jan · Answer

Great day, y'all !!! These are great ideas!
Of course in some of the cabinets I already have removed the stain (see photos) ... but not all of them, so yea! Thank you all so much for the advice!

(Sorry I haven't replied before now... I didn't know I had these responses!!)

LaVerne DeHart · Answer

I totally messed up when I tried to clean the grease and grime off the kitchen cabinets in my house when we moved in. We removed them and took them outside and used a orange smelling grease cleaner for wood (sorry, cannot remember name). It removed the stain as well as the grease. I did restain some of the cabinets. There are so many that I just let the rest sit as are! Does anyone know of a stain that is lung friendly? no fumes? I intend to finish them inside and until I can find something that will not affect my lungs, I am stuck.

Jan · Answer

I considered sanding and painting. :)
But...... I really like the wood!

LaVerne DeHart · Answer

@KMS Woodworks....Thank you for the product information, it's very helpful!

Kasey smith · Answer

Baking soda and Dawn dishsoap works good without taking off the stain

Rachel Sprangers · Answer

Zep. Found at Home Depot.

Comet · Answer

IF  yu  have  scratches--the  deep  kind  or the kind that  really  dull the finish--or a loss  of finish--try  OLDE ENGLISH FURNITURE POLISH--0it is pigmented;  does  not smell;  and  you can  use  several  coats to get  the color  you  need.  Found at  LOWES  and other places.  You can use it for any  furniture--I have even  used it for  damaged  laminate--and floors;  cabinets  etc.  Also--plain  old  SHOE  POLISH  can work  wonders  on  woods!  Use the color  closest--I  like the wax  version  in the little  tins--and the clear wax  to  seal.  Costs  about $2 a tin and lasts a long time--I  also  use it  for  smooth  leather with  scratches or scuffs  (duh!)  and  am  re-doing  the faded  finish  on  my  faux  leather hard  saddle  bags  on  our  motorcycle  with  this.

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