How to Clean Stuck-On Food, Grease, and Grime From Wood Cabinets

If you’re regularly in the kitchen cooking up a storm, your wood cabinets may have gotten a taste of grease, food splatters, and oil (particularly those near your stove top). Cleaning this grease, grime, and stuck-on food—without damaging your cabinets' finish—can be easier said than done. We consulted with a furniture expert and two cleaning professionals to learn the safest and most effective ways to get your cabinets sparkling again.

Cabinet Cleaning Method for Light Messes

Our three cleaning experts, Richie David, Jennie Holmes, and Jacob Rhodes, recommend doing a quick wipe down of the cabinets frequently to eliminate light dirt, fingerprints, and any fresh drips.

When splatters and streaks happen, follow their steps below to safely clean them from cabinets.

Materials Needed:

• Three microfiber towels
• Warm water
• Mild dish soap
• Wood polish
• Small container

Instructions:

1. In your small container, mix a few drops of dish soap into warm water.
   
2. Next, dampen (but don’t soak) one of your microfiber towels with the soapy solution.
   
3. Use the damp microfiber towel to wipe with the grain of the cabinet’s wood. Be careful not to scrub, as this could damage the wood's finish.
   
4. Use the dry microfiber towel to immediately wipe off any excess moisture on the cabinet. 
5. Apply a small amount of wood polish to the cabinets to restore smoothness.

Cabinet Cleaning Method for Stuck-On Food, Grease, and Splatters

To get rid of hardened grease stains and stuck-on food splatters, a bit more effort and time are required. Here’s what you’ll need to get the job done right.

Materials Needed:

• Microfiber cloths
• Warm water
• Old credit card or plastic scraper
• Hair dryer
• Small container
• White vinegar
• Soft toothbrush

Instructions:

1. Dampen your microfiber cloth with warm water. Press a warm, damp cloth over the residue for a minute to loosen the grime, Rhodes instructs.
2. Gently wipe the residue (with the grain of the wood) with a clean cloth.
   
3. If the residue isn’t budging, use a hair dryer on a low setting to target the residue on the cabinet in quick, short bursts.
4. If the stuck-on mess has raised edges, David suggests using an old credit card or plastic scraper to gently loosen the edges.
5. Make a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and warm water in a small container. Apply the mixture gently with a cloth.
6. Using a clean, dry cloth, dry the surface thoroughly afterwards to prevent moisture damage.
   
7. If the grime is in the corner of the cabinet, use a soft toothbrush (dipped in the vinegar cleaning mixture) to gently lift the buildup without scratching the cabinet’s surface. Dry thoroughly with a clean cloth.