How To Clean Gunk Off Wood Cabinets

How to Clean Sticky Grease off Kitchen Cabinets

Sticky greasy kitchen cabinets can be annoying, but in a busy happy home, they can't be helped. Grease that accumulates on kitchen cupboards is often caused by cooking or greasy hands. Removing sticky grease from a kitchen cabinet requires a little elbow grease, but can be easily achieved with natural cleaning products. From white vinegar to baking soda and lemon, grease can be removed without the need for chemicals. If you have some sticky grease stains that need help, don't worry. We have rounded up the 4 easiest methods for cleaning kitchen cabinets.

woman in yellow gloves washes the door in kitchen cabinet

1. Removing Grease with White Vinegar and Hot Water

White vinegar is a natural cleaning product with excellent degreasing properties, due to its acidity. White vinegar is also very effective in cleaning other kitchen appliances, see our guide on microwave cleaning here.

What You Will Need:

White vinegar
Warm water
Clean spray bottle
Soft cloth
Dishwashing liquid (for tough grease stains)

How to Remove Grease with White Vinegar

Using the spray bottle, measure a 50/50 mix of vinegar and warm water.
Spray the solution directly onto the kitchen cupboards and leave for a couple of minutes.
Wet the cloth in warm water, then thoroughly rinse the cloth as too much water could damage a wood cabinet.
Wipe over the cupboards with the damp cloth to remove grease stains.
Stubborn stains, such as marmite or chocolate spread may need a little extra TLC. Create a paste of vinegar and salt. Then scrub the stains with an old toothbrush and wipe clean.

2. Remove Kitchen Cabinet Grease with Dishwashing Liquid

Washing up liquid is very effective in cutting through grease and grime on dishes, so it makes the perfect cabinet degreaser.

What You Will Need:

Dishwashing soap
Warm water
Cleaning sponge
Soft dry cloth

How to Remove Grease with Dish Soap

Add a few drops of your favourite dish washing soap, into a bowl of warm water.
Dip the cleaning sponge into the water and give it a good squeeze.
Begin to scrub the cabinet back and forth with a soft sponge, following the grain on wood cabinets.
If you face a stubborn grease stain, apply a small amount of dish soap directly to the sponge, and wipe over again. Rinse the sponge and repeat until all the grease stains are removed.
Wipe the kitchen cabinets down with a dry cloth to remove any remaining grease or soap residue.

3. Remove Cabinet Grease with Citrus Multipurpose Cleaner

Woman with cleaning products Similar to white vinegar, citrus oil is a natural degreaser. Many multipurpose cleaners contain citrus oil, so have a look in your cleaning cupboard or treat yourself to a new product from the supermarket.

What You Will Need:

Citrus multipurpose cleaner
Soft cloth x 2
Warm water

How to Remove Grease with Citrus Multipurpose Cleaner

Spray the cleaner directly onto the kitchen cabinets, leaving it to sit for a couple of minutes.
Use a soft dampened cloth to gently remove the grease from the cupboards.
Remove any remaining grime with a clean damp cloth and then thoroughly dry.

4. Cleaning Kitchen Cupboards with Baking Soda and Lemon

Baking soda and lemon are the heroes of natural cleaning products. For stubborn thick layers of grease in the kitchen, this duo can be used to make the cabinets look as good as new.

You Will Need:

Soft sponge
Baking soda
Warm water
Juice of 1 lemon
Spray bottle

How to Remove Grease Stains with Baking Soda

Create a cleaning solution with 1-part baking soda, 2 parts warm water and the lemon juice.
Add the solution to a spray bottle and spray the liquid onto the kitchen cabinets.
Leave for 2-3 minutes, allowing the baking soda to work its magic.
Use the soft sponge to gently scrub the grease away. Rinse sponge and repeat as necessary.
Use a clean cloth to buff the cabinets dry and enjoy!

Aftercare for Kitchen Cupboards

Wood cupboards will require a little extra attention after cleaning. Removing the grease from wood cabinets will also remove the moisture and protection, so it important to replace this. Consider using protection products containing beeswax as this will stop the wood drying out and repel kitchen grease.

Preventing a Grease Build Up

To avoid grease building up on kitchen cupboards, wipe the hob and cupboard doors clean every week. Simple use a soft cloth and a degreaser to remove any new grease marks.
Regularly wash your hands when cooking. This will prevent the grease transferring from your hands onto the cabinet doors.

Now your kitchen cabinets are sparkling clean, it's time to turn your attention to other areas of the kitchen. Your local, mobile Ovenclean specialist can restore a range of appliances including Oven cleaning, Hob cleaning, Extractor hood cleaning, BBQ cleaning and Aga cleaning.