How to Get Grease Off of the Cupboards

You don't need expensive cleaners to remove cupboard grease.

Kitchen cabinets are prone to grease buildup. Body oils from your hands and grease from cooking slowly coats the cabinets, making them look grimy and dirty no matter how often you wipe them down. Worse, grease helps dust and dirt adhere to the wood so it looks even dirtier. The cabinets must be cleaned with a product that can cut through the grease without damaging the wood cabinets or their finish. Fortunately, these products are likely already in your pantry.

Things You'll Need

• Mild detergent
• Cleaning cloths
• White vinegar
• Wood wax

Instructions

1. Combine a squirt or two of mild detergent with hot water. Wipe the cabinets with the soapy water, removing as much grime as possible.

2. Mix 1-part vinegar with 2 parts water. Soak the greasy area on the cabinet with the vinegar solution for five minutes.

3. Scrub the cabinet with a coarse but nonabrasive cloth, reapplying the vinegar mixture as you scrub. Repeat until the grease is removed.

4. Wipe the cabinet clean with clear water. Dry with a clean towel.

5. Apply a wood wax to the cabinet, following the application instructions on the package. The wax helps the cabinet regain its luster and also provides protection from future grease buildup.

Tips & Warnings

• Unfinished wood cabinets can be degreased with a solvent such as paint thinner. Test the solvent on the inside of a cabinet door to ensure it doesn't damage the wood.

• Do not use baking soda or other abrasives on wood, as they can ruin the finish.

References

• Michigan State University: Kitchen Cabinets -- Special Cleaning
• Keene State College: Green Cleaning