********* Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 What do you use to clean the outside of your kitchen cupboards? I've tried my regular all-purpose, antibacterial cleaner, and it's not cuttin' it. They still feel sticky/greasy. :ack2: What can I use, and where do you find it? For some reason, I've decided that the entire kitchen needs cleaning and reorganizing. But I'm stuck on how to clean those gross cabinet doors! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I am no help because I'd love the answer to this too! I'm always scared to use something really scratchy and ruin the finish, but with the counter spray stuff there are spots that just won't come off! So I will join you in awaiting hive wisdom. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixpence1978 Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I just use Old English oil and a soft cloth or microfiber cloth on my wood cabinets. When I had white cabinets, the Magic Eraser worked wonders. Then again, I don't think I own much of anything that is anti-bacterial so I wouldn't be much help there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne in ABQ Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I use Murphey's Oil Soap. It's made for wood, and really cut the grime from my cabinets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Do you use the Oil soap straight or if not, at what dilution? I think I may have a magic eraser somewhere around here too... never occurred to me to try it on my cabinets... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I was never really sucessful getting my old kitchen cupboads clean. When we redid the kitchen last summer I was told by several guys that there is just not getting them clean. The old varnish or whatever, just degrades and there is really no getting that off. I felt so much better..I thought I was a failure. I am using a fabulous microfiber cloth and water to keep my new ones clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
********* Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 I was never really sucessful getting my old kitchen cupboads clean. When we redid the kitchen last summer I was told by several guys that there is just not getting them clean. The old varnish or whatever, just degrades and there is really no getting that off. I felt so much better..I thought I was a failure. I am using a fabulous microfiber cloth and water to keep my new ones clean. Oh no, Katie, that's not at all what I wanted to hear! :D (btw, I'm in SE Michigan. Howdy!) I'll have to check in to the oil soap. I thought there were cleaners that they made specifically for cleaning grease; something with the word 'lighting' in it? I'll have to google it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Don't use the magic eraser on wood! It is only for painted type of surfaces. I have a mark on the basment door where the finish is gone! I just told you about the old finish so you don't knock yourself out trying to get clean what won't get clean. Poor sentence structure, off to do taxes! Hi over there is East Michigan! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doodle Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I use Greased Lightning. If you can't find it at you local grocery store, I know our Lowes carries it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbie Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 vinegar/water and olive oil for shine. My grandma came to visit and kept asking what I clean my cabinets w/and she could not believe it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oakblossoms Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 My mom had this problem and it turns out it is the old varnish on the cabinets. It actually gets sticky over time. She has redone some of them with marine varnish and they won't ever get sticky again. I just wash my cabinets with dish water. I don't handwash much, but usually once a day I wash pots and pans. So, I just use my sponge and wash down cabinets then. I don't use a lot of cooking oil or cook meat though. I think that probably makes a big difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon H in IL Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Assuming it's just grime, I use ammonia in water for a deep cleaning. If it's old varnish starting to degrade, you'll need some serious elbow grease to refinish them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne in ABQ Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I diluted it with water. Probably about three "glugs" to about two gallons of water. I didn't measure. I just mixed up the solution in the sink, like dish water, and scrubbed away with a sponge. I should mention that my cabinets are only 3 years old, and it was just grime from little fingers and splatters that I was cleaning. It made a huge difference. And, I agree with the others, though, who mentioned old varnish deteriorating. That happened with my moms cabinets. The finish near the knobs would just scrape off with a fingernail. If that's happening with yours, you have bigger problems than dirt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamrachelle Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 vinegar/water and olive oil for shine. No kidding, really? Do you use equal parts of vinegar and water? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in TX Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I use citrus cleaner--works great and doesn't damage the finish. I want to second the caution about the magic eraser--it works, and often takes off the finish of what you are cleaning. Be very careful where you use it. :o) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaof2andtwins Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I use Murphey's Oil Soap. It's made for wood, and really cut the grime from my cabinets. Me, too! I mix it in a bucket as directed on the bottle. Jennie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.