How to Clean Sticky Wood Kitchen Cabinets

how to clean sticky wood kitchen cabinets

Kitchen cabinets are a must in your kitchen. Wooden kitchen cabinets are usually preferred as they look most elegant.

But maintaining these elegant-looking cabinets is a task in itself. These cabinets act as a magnet for sticky, greasy stains. They form a layer over them that is hard to clean, and that looks disgusting.

But no matter how hard it looks, you need to clean up your cabinets for a clean finish. It’s the question of many how to clean sticky wood kitchen cabinets. We have got some ideas for cleaning the cabinets that would help you out, so keep reading.

Table of Contents

What causes the greasy substance on the kitchen cabinets?

Kitchen cabinets are usually in closer proximity to the stove. Cooking with oil and greasy substances will lead to sticky residues on the cabinets. When you cook, this oil evaporates and stick on the cupboard without you knowing it or realizing it. Then dust comes and plays its part in making that oil sticky and greasy. Over time this greasy material builds up and up and leaves you with sticky cabinets.

How to clean Sticky Wood Kitchen cabinets?

You must have thought of this question when you come to realize how greasy your cabinets are. You can surely go out and buy some commercial cleaners for the cabinets, but you can also make some effective ones at home. These cleaners are available on your kitchen shelves, but you might have never thought of them.

Ways to Clean the Kitchen Cabinets:

There are a few ideas that you can pick from when you plan to clean out all the grease from your kitchen shelves. They are different kinds of ingredients, and you can choose the one suitable for you.

  1. Clean your cabinets with Dish Soap
  2. Using baking soda to clean the grease.
  3. Remove sticky grease with vinegar spray
  4. Clean the cabinets with toothpaste.

These are the four ingredients that you can use to clean the grease off your kitchen cabinets.

ways to clean a kitchen cabinets
  • Save

1. Clean Your Cabinet with Dish Soap

This is the first option that is present on everyone’s kitchen shelf. Blue Dawn is an option for the dishwasher that works perfectly.

Steps to follow:

  1. Take a container and fill it with warm water.
  2. Add dish soap in it and mix well
  3. Take your sponge, and dip it in the mixture.
  4. Now rub on the greasy spots and scrub the area.
  5. If the sponge doesn’t help you take out the grease, try it with a toothbrush.
  6. Scrub the sticky spots.
  7. Now take a damped cloth with vinegar and water solution and wipe off the soap from the cabinets.

2. Using Baking Soda to take off the Grease:

Baking soda is always helpful for cleaning purposes due to its properties. It is helpful in the cabinets too. It has more scrubbing power, and it does not destroy the cabinets.

Steps to follow:

  1. Take a deep bowl and mix baking soda and water in it. Make a thick paste.
  2. Now take an old toothbrush and dip it in the mixture.
  3. Scrub the greasy area with the toothbrush gently.
  4. Leave the mixture on the grease for a few minutes.
  5. Now scrub again.
  6. Take a damped cloth and wipe off all the baking soda along with the sticky grease.
  7. Apply some re-moisturizer like linseed oil to give it a shiny look.

Alternate:

There is an alternative way to use baking soda. For this, you need an orange.

  1. Take an orange and cut it in half.
  2. Take some baking soda on a big plate.
  3. Dip the orange in the baking soda and scrub the cabinets with it.
  4. Do some scrubbing, and then wipe it all off.
  5. Apply the oil for the finished look.

3. Remove sticky grease with vinegar spray:

Vinegar is very famously known for its cleaning capabilities. Due to its acidic nature, you lighten it down with water to normalize the pH as you would not want to destroy the cabinets, but they are a very good cleaning agent.

Steps to follow:

  1. Take a bottle and mix 2 cups of water with 1 cup of vinegar in it with 1 to 2 tablespoons of dish soap. Dawn (2 tablespoons) or castile soap (1 tablespoon) is preferred.
  2. Shake and mix it well.
  3. Spray the mixture on the cabinets.
  4. Use your toothbrush to scrub some stickier areas.
  5. Now take a damped cloth and wipe it all off.
  6. Apply some oil for a glossy finish look

4. Clean the cabinets with toothpaste

Toothpaste has some cleaning properties. We all know that. They work really fine with our teeth, but they can also work on your kitchen cabinets that need to be cleaned up.

Steps to follow:

  1. Take a container and add one teaspoon of white toothpaste. Then mix 1 cup of water along with two tablespoons of baking soda.
  2. Mix the mixture really well.
  3. Take a sponge and start scrubbing using this mixture.
  4. Rinse away with a damp cloth.

Pro Tip:

With all the above-given options, clean the cabinets well at the end. Do not leave them wet as the water will damage the cabinets in the long term.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are my wood kitchen cabinets sticky?

Sticky kitchen cabinets are usually caused by a buildup of dirt, grease, or grime that has accumulated on the surface of the wood over time. Additionally, exposure to heat and humidity can also contribute to stickiness.

Q. Will vinegar affect the wooden cabinets?

Vinegar is acidic in nature. If you apply it without diluting, then it will affect the woodwork. It can corrode wood and destroy the wax and shiny finish of the cabinets.
To avoid this, always dilute the vinegar with water before spraying it on the cabinets.

Q. How to clean grime off wooden kitchen cabinets?

Make a mixture of vinegar, water, and dish soap. Mix them well and add them in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the cabinets and wipe off with a damped cloth.

Q: Can I use a scrub brush to clean my sticky wood kitchen cabinets?

It is not recommended to use a scrub brush on wood kitchen cabinets, as this can scratch and damage the surface of the wood. Instead, use a soft cloth or a sponge to gently clean the cabinets.

Q. How often should I clean my kitchen cabinets?

If you don’t want to stress yourself out with some major cleaning and don’t want to destroy your furniture, you should clean the cabinets on a daily or weekly basis.
If you cook daily, you should have a spray bottle mixture. Just spray and wipe it off daily so that the grease doesn’t build up.

Q. How to prevent wood kitchen cabinets from becoming sticky in the future?

If you want to prevent your wood kitchen cabinets from becoming sticky, it’s important to wipe them down regularly with a soft cloth or sponge. Also, avoid using harsh chemicals or tough cleaners on the cabinets, and try to keep them dry by wiping any spills or splatters instantly.

Conclusion

Oil and other cooking ingredients along with the dust build-up grease and sticky material on the cabinets. If you behave carelessly they will end up looking bad and affecting your cabinets. These four methods will help you clean up your cabinets and wipe the grease off so your kitchen can look great with a neat glossy look.

I hope the above four different methods help to give you an answer to your question of how to clean sticky wood kitchen cabinets.

Editorial Team
The Spadone Home Editorial Team consists of seasoned professionals with extensive knowledge and experience in the domains of Home, Interior Design, Renovation, and Exterior Improvement. Our dedicated team of writers and researchers is committed to delivering well researched content that offers insightful solutions to your home-related inquiries. At Spadone Home, we understand the importance of a well-maintained and aesthetically pleasing home. Our mission is to provide you with practical, step-by-step guidance and expert insights to enhance your living space. Whether you're seeking DIY projects, product recommendations for your house, or interior and exterior design inspiration, our team is here to empower you with the knowledge and advice you need to make your house truly exceptional.