Cleaning Old Wood Cabinets

Don t assume that tired woodwork has to be stripped and refinished.

Cleaning old wood cabinets.

If your cabinets are really grimy let the cleaner sit for up to 10 minutes after spraying. Finally clean the area with a mild wood soap and water then dry completely. Nothing major i just used sponge with a little dish soap and water. Harsh scrubbing can damage kitchen cabinets finish or paint.

Remember to wipe cabinet handles knobs and pulls. If possible remove the hardware from the cabinets and drawers before cleaning. Leave the abrasive cleaners and scrub brushes to your sink. Mist on cabinets let sit for a minute or two and then wipe clean with a soft cloth.

Take a damp cotton ball add 1 drop of liquid dish soap then wipe it on a hidden location like the inside of a chair leg. Don t scrub too hard or use steel wool as it will scratch the wood. If the detergent strips or ruins the finish do not use it. Here are his recommendations for cleaning woodwork properly.

Keep wiping the surface with the same rag until the rag no longer picks up new dirt or debris. Next gather another cloth or sponge. This step is optional. Rinse with clear water.

Rub the surface down with a soft cloth and your chosen cleaner. Gently rub down the surface of the furniture. Vinegar is the go to natural cleaner when faced with how to clean greasy cabinets. Before you clean your old wooden furniture with dishwashing soap you need to test it out to make sure it won t damage the wood or the finish.

Do use a gentle cleaning solution. You may also want to use an old toothbrush to get into crevices. Heat a damp micro cloth in a microwave for 35 seconds then use it to quickly wipe away the grease layer. Make a paste of vinegar and salt.

First clean the cabinets. For metal hardware on wood cabinets dip a toothbrush in a 50 50 solution of vinegar and warm water and scrub the hardware the surrounding wood and the crevices of ornate trim. To start wet a rag with a light amount of your chosen cleaner. All purpose orange oil cleaner.

Here s how to clean wooden kitchen cabinets with stubborn stains like syrup or chocolate. Mix a 50 50 solution of vinegar and warm water and put into a spray bottle. Scrub with soap and warm water. Rinse the paste off with clean water and dry with a clean towel.

Sometimes a good cleaning is all it takes to bring it back to life says wood finisher john thomas. Dip a toothbrush into the paste and lightly scrub the stained area.