Tips on Removing Grease & Grime From Wood Cabinets

Overall Cleaning

• Dust cabinets with a dusting cloth regularly to prevent dirt from accumulating on the cabinet surface, which can make cabinets more difficult to clean later. Every few months, wipe cabinets down with a wet rag to clean any build-up that has formed. By wiping cabinets down as part of your normal housecleaning routine, you can make it easier to clean the wood cabinets when a real mess occurs.

Grease Removal

• Since kitchen cabinets are often located near the stove, grease splatters are likely to occur. You cannot generally clean grease from wood cabinets with water alone. However, a mild soap on a clean dish cloth is often enough to rub the wood clean. After cleaning, rinse the soap thoroughly from the wood with clear water and dry excess water from the cabinet with a dry towel.

Sticky Bits

• Sticky dirt on wood cabinets can be even more difficult to remove than grease. As with grease, use a clean dishrag and mild soap to try to clean the surface. If the sticky bits of dirt won't come off by gently scrubbing with the dishrag, use your fingernail to scrape the dirt from the cabinet. Don't use harsh chemicals or cleaning pads to scrub a wood cabinet. This may break down the coating over the wood surface, which can lead to permanent stains on the cabinets.

Buff

• After cleaning a wood cabinet, the cabinet may appear duller than before due to residue left behind by the soap and water used to clean it. To keep cabinets looking their best, buff the surface of wood cabinets with a dry cloth after cleaning. To buff the surface, press the towel to the face of the cabinet with your fingertips and rub in a circular motion. This removes the residue from the cabinets and returns the cabinets to their natural shine.