How to Clean Grease off Cabinets: A Simple Guide

 

While kitchen cabinets may help make the area look tidy and organized, they tend to accumulate grease quite fast. It is because with each frying or cooking process, there is always the chance that small grease droplets will find their way to the surrounding surfaces and create a greasy film attracting dust and causing the cabinets to lose their appeal. However, if one needs to clean grease off cabinets, the procedure can be pretty simple.

Fortunately, you do not have to spend lots of money or use fancy techniques to clean your cabinets properly.

What You Need Before Cleaning

It is necessary to gather some tools before you begin removing the grease. The materials needed are warm water, mild dish washing soap, microfiber cloth, abrasive sponge, a small basin, and a dry towel. You will need baking soda in case the grease spot is hard to clean. It will ensure that you complete the process more easily.

Start With a Gentle Cleaning Solution

Most greasy cabinets can be cleaned easily using just warm water and dish soap. Dish soap contains chemicals that will help to dissolve grease, which makes it ideal for kitchen surfaces.

Pour warm water into a bucket or basin and add a little bit of dish soap. Stir gently until you get some soapywater.

Soak a microfiber cloth in the soapy water and wring out any excess water. The cloth should be slightly damp and not dripping with water. Using too much water may cause damage to your cabinet if you apply it on its surface and joints.

Gently rub the surface of your cabinets using circular motions, paying close attention to areas around handles as they tend to accumulate grease.

Deal With Stubborn Grease

At times, grease has been lingering around on the cabinets for weeks or even months. In such a scenario, a simple cloth with soap solution is not enough.

Mix some baking soda with water in order to make a paste. Put a little bit of this paste in the greased area by the use of a soft cloth or sponge. Gently rub the area then wipe it with a damp cloth.

Avoid using force while rubbing since baking soda is somewhat abrasive and it could affect the surface of the cabinets. Another alternative is a degreasing cleaner that is safe for use in the kitchen.

Always Test the Surface First

An often-overlooked but vital step involves testing your cleaning solution before you clean your entire cabinet.

Find a small area that is inconspicuous and try some of the cleaner in that spot. After giving it a few minutes, inspect the area. If there is any discoloration, peeling, or other changes to the surface, do not use that particular cleaner.

Testing is especially crucial for paint, wood, or specially finished cabinets.

Clean Wooden Cabinets Carefully

Wooden cabinets need a little extra care when compared to other cabinets. Moisture can be absorbed by the wood, leading to either swelling or even damaging the cabinet finish.

Instead of a sopping wet sponge, you can use a slightly wetted microfibre cloth. Always ensure that only one part is cleaned at once and the excess moisture is wiped off by the dry cloth.

In case your cabinets have a finish applied to them, you can use dish soap to clean off the greasy stains.

Do Not Forget the Cabinet Handles

Cabinet door handles/knobs can be among the oiliest spots in your kitchen, as they are used regularly, especially when you are preparing food.

Wash them with hot water and soap, and then dry. If they are removable, you could wash them individually for better results.

Note that not all cabinet door handles/knobs are made of stainless steel and hence need care when cleaning them to avoid damaging them.

Finish With a Clean, Dry Cloth

After cleaning the grease, check the cabinets again using a damp cloth. Use a soft towel to dry the surface after washing. Having wet cabinets can cause water spots that can be harmful to some kinds of material.

To get effective results, it is recommended that you start from the top of the cabinet downwards to avoid dirty water from flowing to the already cleaned areas.

How to Prevent Grease From Building Up

It makes cleaning a lot easier if you prevent grease from accumulating in large quantities initially.

Cleaning your cabinets once a week, especially those near the stove and their doors, should be tried. In case something gets spilt on the countertop, make sure to clean it as soon as possible after it has cooled down.

The use of your exhaust fan in the kitchen while cooking can also help prevent grease from accumulating in your kitchen. This small amount of time invested in cleaning can help you avoid a lot of problems in the future.

Conclusion

Cleaning up the grease spots on your cabinets is rather easy. All you have to do is use warm water, mild detergent, and a rag. Should the spots be more stubborn, using some baking soda or degreaser will help you in achieving the desired result.

However, it is extremely significant to choose the right method of cleaning depending on the material of your cabinets. Proper care will ensure that your cabinets are in perfect condition for years to come. In case you plan to install new cabinets in your kitchen or change its look, Blue Ridge Cabinet Connection will help you as well.