Wooden kitchen cabinets are a gorgeous statement in a kitchen. The richness of wood can make your kitchen truly feel like a
home, and the material is resilient and functional. Unfortunately, in the kitchen, wooden cabinets can also get dusty and splashed with oils and grease. Over time, the natural wooden luster will also start to fade.
How do you clean your wooden cabinets without leaving residue or stains? Keep reading for some light and deep cleaning tips for your wooden kitchen cabinets.
Basic Cleaning Steps
Before we get into what kind of cleaning solutions you can use on wood, let’s briefly talk about the best way to cleanse cabinets. It is recommended that you use a soft fabric or sponge.
First, wipe down the drawer and cabinet handles thoroughly. Use a toothbrush that’s been dipped in your cleaner of choice to get the grime out of the crevices and off of hardware.
Afterward, use a paper towel or sponge to clean the backs and insides of doors and drawers.
Grab another cloth or towel that has been soaked in the cleaner to wipe down the rest of the surface. Add some muscle power to work at caked-on grime and grease. Don’t let the solution dry on the wood. Be sure to dry everything down completely with a paper towel.
Light Cleaning Wood Cabinets
Light cleaning is your routine wipe-downs and maintenance. This is where you wipe up recent grime and dirt. There are two ways you can do a light cleaning of your cabinets:
1. Vinegar and Warm Water
Take 2 cups of warm water and 2 cups of regular white vinegar to mix in a spray bottle. Grab a microfiber cloth or some paper
towels.
This solution is very versatile and makes for a quick and effective wood cleaner. However, vinegar can potentially stain unfinished wood, so make sure you test the cleaner in a less noticeable spot before using it.
2. Commercial Furniture Spray
There are plenty of commercial sprays for wooden surfaces available. You can grab an old standby, such as Murphy’s Oil Soap or Pledge with oil. These sprays can help remove dust, dirt, and will leave a protective coating behind to prevent dust from caking quickly.
The only drawback to commercial furniture spray is that it can cause a buildup of the protective coating. This will reduce the shine of the wood, so do not use it too often. Most commercial cleaning services also recommend to reduce long term use of harmful chemical sprays not only for benefit of the environment but also your loved ones.
Deep Cleaning Wooden Kitchen Cabinets
Sometimes the light cleaning method isn’t going to help you. Here are some ways to work through the toughest messes, such as sticky spills and grease:
3. Baking Soda and Water
Baking soda will not scratch wood the same way salt will, so you can apply force when scrubbing oil and grease away from wooden kitchen cabinets. To make the cleaning solution, combine 3 tbsp of baking soda and ¼ cup cold water to make a paste. Apply the paste to the stains and let it sit for about 1-2 minutes. Proceed to scrub with a cloth. Once the spot is gone, wipe away the paste with warm water and a sponge.
Do not use baking soda on unfinished wood kitchen cabinets.
4. Vinegar and Salt For Stains
Mix 2 tbsp of salt and ¼ cup white vinegar, forming a paste. Spread it over the place that you want to clean. The acidity in the vinegar will break down stains caused by syrups and chocolate. Dip a cloth or sponge into some water and proceed to scrub gently.
5. Oil and Vinegar Treatment
Want a more natural treatment for your wooden kitchen cabinets? Oil and vinegar make for a wonderful preservative. All you need to do is take 1 cup of white vinegar, 1 cup of olive oil and combine them in a spray bottle. It will leave a beautiful gleam behind without adding a residue. Make sure the cabinets have been dusted before applying.
Takeaway
Wooden cabinets are indeed a lovely addition to any kitchen but do require some maintenance. Hopefully, the tips and recipes for cleaning solutions will help you keep your kitchen clean and looking like brand new