How to Clean Grease off Kitchen Cabinets?

Everyone wants to have a clear and clean kitchen where they can enjoy cooking for their family and loved ones. However, frequent cooking and oils can lead to stubborn stains and splashes on cabinets and countertops. These stain areas can be frustrating and lead to some health hazards. Fortunately, many methods exist to remove them quickly in a home without breaking the bank, as all the items are available in almost every home.

In this article will present different methods to remove grease, grime and dust from kitchen surfaces, particularly cabinets and restore the original shine.  Before starting the cleaning work, we will also discuss pro tips and how to prevent grease stain formation.

Essential Preparation Before Start Cleaning

Before cleaning the kitchen, you should have made essential preparations to remove grease stains.  Here are some important tips to keep in mind and to avoid any chemical or other incidents. 

• First of all,  clear the cabinets by removing all utensils and whatever is inside. Cover the surrounding area and flour. 
• Gather all the necessary items you are implementing to remove grease, such as mild dish soap, baking soda, lemon, or spray bottle/ sponge. 
• Wear personal protective equipment such as glasses, gloves, and aprons to protect yourself from chemical splashes. 
• You should select gentle or mild chemicals to remove stains, which will prevent cabinet damage. First, apply it on a small area to test the solution, and then go for the rest on the stained surface. 
• After cleaning, dry the wet clean cabinets to prevent water stains.

Remove Grease With Baking Soda and Lemon Solution

Grease can be a stubborn and frustrating problem; it seeps into surfaces and leaves behind unsightly stains. Many people use harsh chemicals to remove them, which can also damage the material of the cabinet. Therefore, consider a more convenient and easy-to-use solution before using such harsh chemicals.

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and lemon are effective remedies to clean greasy and get rid of older stains. These two ingredients give instant fresh-looking surfaces. You can use this solution for metal, glass, or plastic surfaces, but avoid it on aluminium and wax-coated surfaces.

Mix a few drops of lemon juice with half a cup of baking soda to prepare the solution. Add the solution to the spray bottle, put it on grease stains, and leave for 5 minutes.

Now, take a clean sponge or soft cloth, clean the wood cabinets and rinse with water; there, you will find the best results. You should avoid using it on aluminium surfaces and inside the cabinets; just gently scrub them.

Dish Soap and Warm Water

Not all stains require strong chemicals. For lighter stains, try organic or mild cleaners to save the freshness of your kitchen cabinets and avoid unnecessary expenses. Warm water and dish soap is best for delicate surfaces, countertops, and sinks. 

To use this effective remedy, mix dish soap (not dishwasher) with warm water until you make a smooth solution. Now, add a spray bottle and spray it on the stained surfaces. You can use it directly by dipping the sponge or soft cloth in the solution and gently wiping the surfaces.  

You can use it for everyday cleaning purposes, and it is suitable for porcelain, plastic, sealed wood, marble, and granite surfaces. The warm water loses the grime and stains stuck to the surfaces when the temperature is reduced. So, heat from the water helps to soften it and allow it to lift away from cabinet surfaces. 

To achieve the best results,  use mild dish soap and avoid hot water to remove tough grease stains.  First, try it on a small area and dry the surfaces thoroughly after cleaning it. All these tips help to maintain the integrity and freshness of the material. On the other hand, dish soap has lipophilic and hydrophilic properties, which help break grease and grime stains into smaller pieces. These actions make it a valuable and practical solution for everyday use.

Clean the Cabinets With Distilled White Vinegar

Vinegar is available in almost every kitchen and is used for many purposes other than cooking. It can be an excellent natural solution to remove grease stains from kitchen cabinets and other surfaces. It is acidic in nature and helps to break down the chemical bonds that hold the grease particles together. Once they break down, they will lift up from the surface, and you can easily wipe them out. 

To benefit from this remedy, simply mix distilled white vinegar with hot water. Apply it on the greased surface and wait for 15-20 minutes. Now, take a soft cloth or clean sponge to wipe the surface and rinse it with clean water. Last but not least, don’t forget to dry the surfaces ro avoid water stains. 

For maximum results, start by applying on the small area to check its effectiveness and then move to the next part.  It is non-toxic, safe, removes bad odour, and can also be used for old stubborn stains. 

Removing Grease Stains With Microfiber Cloths

Have you ever thought that clothes can also remove the stains from kitchen cabinets? Yes, it’s true; microfiber cloth removes grease from wood, granite, porcelain, metal, and leather surfaces. They are made of fine fibers of polyester and polyamide. The tiny particles allow the clothes to pick out the stains from the cabinet surfaces. Moreover, microfiber consists of negatively charged particles, which also help to bind with positively charged stains and remove them.

To benefit from this cloth, simply dip the dry microfiber cloth in warm water and gently rub it on the cabinet surfaces. If it is now working, you can add dish soap to the warm water and then use it on the surface. Wipe the surfaces and dry them to avoid any water stains.

It is one of the best methods to remove grease as it is chemical-free, reusable, washable, and reduces dust attraction.

Use Multipurpose Citrus-based Cleaners for Removing Grease Stains

Due to their acidic nature, using citrus-based cleaners is an effective cleaning method to remove sticky grease stains from kitchen cabinets. They can quickly emulsify stubborn grease stains and dissolve in water. They have unique characteristics that break the grease’s molecular structure in seconds.

Apply the store-bought multipurpose citrus-based cleaner or citrus oil on the surface to clean greasy kitchen cabinets and allow it to sit for some minutes. After 8-10 minutes, when the cleaner has done the work, use a soft cloth or sponge and gently wipe the cabinet’s wood surface to clean food messes and greasy stains. 

Thoroughly clean kitchen cabinets with all the greasy stains with a soft-bristled brush and then just wipe them with warm water and let them dry completely; your kitchen cabinets are shining now! Do not forget to read the manufacturer’s instructions for better understanding.

Pro Tip: You can make these kinds of cleaners at home to clean kitchen cabinets by just following simple steps. First, take a clean bottle and fill it half with white vinegar. Then, add the peels of lemons, oranges, or grapefruits to the water bottle and cover it tightly. After 3 weeks, open the bottle and remove all the citrus peel and stains from the solution in the spray bottle; your homemade cleaner is ready to go. It will work the same as the store-bought cleaners do.

Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets Grease Using Ammonia and Water

Using ammonia and water as a cleaning solution and washing the tough grease strains is also the most effective remedy. Ammonia has strong penetration power that can pierce into greasy stains to break them apart and dissolve in water. You can make this degreaser at home by just mixing an equal amount of ammonia and water in a clean spray bottle.

But make sure to safely handle it as it can be a harsh chemical, and wear protective gloves before using this natural degreaser.

To make an ammonia solution, Mix equal parts water and ammonia and fill this cleaning mixture in a clean bottle. Take a dry cloth, spray the ammonia solution on it and gently wipe on greasy areas of cabinet surfaces. Ensure there are no remaining grease particles behind and cleaning time must be more than 20 minutes. Thoroughly clean all the cabinets with a clean, damp cloth, from inside and out, for proper cleaning of airborne grease particles, after deep cleaning, wash the cabinets with tap water.

How to Cut the Grease Stains with Vegetable Oil and Baking Soda?

Vegetable oils like olive or canola oil can be used as a degreaser and an effective remedy to clean all kitchen cabinets and surfaces. One of the main advantages of using vegetable oil as a cleaner is that it is not toxic, eco-friendly, and gentle to wooden surfaces. They can remove greasy stains quickly without damaging the surface. It is well-said that like-dissolves-like oils are perfect for breaking greasy particles and softening them effectively in no time.

When this oil is combined with baking soda, magic happens. To make a baking soda and oil solution, mix one cup of baking soda and one cup of vegetable oil in a clean bowl. Gently combine it and make a thick paste (desirable consistency) with an old toothbrush. When a desirable consistency is achieved, apply it on the cabinets, doors, and kitchen surfaces with the same toothbrush and scrub it gently with microfiber or clean cloth in a circular motion.

Pro Cleaning Tips and Precautions while Cleaning Greasy Kitchen Cabinets

Till now, you have a proper understanding of how to remove greasy stains from kitchen cabinets effectively at home, now, we are going to share some pro tips and safety precautions to avoid any damage to skin or property. Before starting cleaning, follow these cleaning tips and precautions for your safety.

Protective Gloves: Safety always comes first; never compromise on it. Some cleaning agents can be toxic or abrasive, such as white vinegar or ammonia; make sure to wear protective gloves, safety goggles, and long-sleeved shirts before handling them. A small amount of vinegar can cause eye and skin irritation, and prolonged contact can destroy skin tissues.

Ensure Proper Ventilation: A properly ventilated area is vital for cleaning. Use exhaust fans to circulate the air, and open kitchen windows and doors for proper ventilation. Some degreasers have harsh chemicals that can cause suffocation if used in closed areas, and the most important thing is to keep away all the cleaners from the fire as they can catch fire immediately due to alcohol in them.

Remove Cabinets Hardware: Grease cleaners can damage or dim the colour of the kitchen knobs, instead of directly applying, remove all the cabinet knobs or other accessories. To wash them, dip them in warm, soapy water and allow them to sit for at least one hour. After proper cleaning, dry them with a soft cloth and re-attach after the grease removal.

Avoid Abrasive Materials or Cleaners: Do not use abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals on wooden cabinets as they can damage or scratch the clean surfaces. Only choose gentle, non-toxic, grease-free, and homemade natural degreasers for safe skin and cabinet material cleaning.

Test Cleaning Solution on Small Surface: It is recommended to use a small cleaning solution on the small, inconspicuous area before applying it to prevent water damage or any unwanted results to the wood finish. Use a clean cloth to remove the kitchen cabinet.

You can save yourself and the kitchen accessories from any potential damage by implementing all these cleaning tips and precautions.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have discussed the most common kitchen problem, greasy cabinets, and shared some of the most effective home remedies and tips for cleaning sticky grease quickly with home ingredients. The most common grease-cleaning methods include baking soda, white vinegar, ammonia, citrus-based cleaners, microfiber cloths, and natural oils. It is also discussed here why it is necessary to avoid abrasive cleaners. So, take the first spet to transform your kitchen cabinets into shiny and clean cabinets with just a simple step. To read more helpful tips and remedies, visit totkay.com and make your life happier.