Cabinet Cleaner

[FourBees]

What product have you used to clean your kitchen cabinets without having to scrub and scrub and scrub?

 

[tictac]

ecological Ecover all purpose cleaner
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=226962

I have used this to clean my cabinets (when i actually clean them) I put a bit in spray bottle with some water and the grease and dirt just come off. I like it becuse it is a natural product and it wont harm the wood.

 

[disneydreamersx4]

I think I read somewhere on DIS that someone used their steam mop. I have a shark and I'm trying to figure out how I can make that work!

 

[ceecee]

Some of the Shark Steam Mops came with small counter top steam cleaners (the one Sam's Club sells has one with it) you could do cabinets and counter tops with it. I just use pine sol with a sponge, my cabinets really don't get that dirty.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I would be very careful about steam cleaning wood cabinets.

I use Murphy's oil soap with water in a spray bottle like I do on my floors. It works great on both, and leave a nice fresh smell.

 

[lilstint]

a magic eraser.

 

[buzz5985]

I used a product called Howard Restore a Finish. I used an old facecloth to rub the product over the wood cabinets (Kraftmaid cabinets honey oak finish, 18 years old). It takes all the grease and grime right off. If the cabinet is scratched, you can use a light steel wool to help blend the scratch. Then I put on Howards Feed and Wax. I will use the products about once a year.

Will just use mild soap and water for general cleaning.

Janis

 

[TupperMom7]

I would be very careful about steam cleaning wood cabinets.

I use Murphy's oil soap with water in a spray bottle like I do on my floors. It works great on both, and leave a nice fresh smell.

I've used Murphy's oil soap in the past, and it seemed like it was taking the varnish right off the cabinets, especially where they get the dirtiest- instead of people using the handles, they always seem to grab the corner of the cabinets.

 

[JandJ]

I would be very careful about steam cleaning wood cabinets.

I use Murphy's oil soap with water in a spray bottle like I do on my floors. It works great on both, and leave a nice fresh smell.

I've used Murphy's oil soap in the past, and it seemed like it was taking the varnish right off the cabinets, especially where they get the dirtiest- instead of people using the handles, they always seem to grab the corner of the cabinets.

We had our hardwood floors refinished last year and had hardwood installed throughout the rest of the house and our professional floor installers said to never use Murphy's Oil Soap on varnished hardwood - it removes the finish. They recommended plain old vinegar and water solution or a mild cleaner specifically for mopping hardwood. I was surprised because my mom used M.O.S. her whole life on our wood furniture, but she never had hardwood floors.

I use regular old wood furniture cleaner/polish on my wood cabinets, but it does require a bit of "elbow grease"

 

[pilesoflaundry]

I've used very diluted dawn soap to gently remove the grease and hand oils.

 

[AKL_Megs]

Cabinet Magic!

 

[dfchelbay]

We always use plain old vinegar and water. That's what we use on our floors too. Funny how the good ole stuff from the good ole days still works today.

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

I would be very careful about steam cleaning wood cabinets.

I use Murphy's oil soap with water in a spray bottle like I do on my floors. It works great on both, and leave a nice fresh smell.

My DH restores antique furniture and he uses Murphy's oil soap. He does not recommend using steam either as it will raise the grain of the wood.


Use 0000 wire wool and Murphy's soap and warm water.

Just asked him about removing the varnish or lacquer and he said there is no possible way that the Murphy's could remove it, there is no solvent in it to break down the varnish, you could remove it with what ever you are using to clean the cabinets/floors with ie wire wool, abrasive green sponge etc just from the pressure and the abrasion of it. It would remove the varnish with only water if that were the case.

 

[MagicMomentsMom]

I use Murphy's oil soap, but just make sure not to use to much, if you do then the soap residue stays on the cabinets and attracts dust back

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

I used a product called Howard Restore a Finish. I used an old facecloth to rub the product over the wood cabinets (Kraftmaid cabinets honey oak finish, 18 years old). It takes all the grease and grime right off. If the cabinet is scratched, you can use a light steel wool to help blend the scratch. Then I put on Howards Feed and Wax. I will use the products about once a year.

Will just use mild soap and water for general cleaning.

Janis

Howard's contains petro chemicals and will remove the finish from a varnished or lacquered piece(cabinet) stain can not penetrate a finish and Howard's contains stain not sure about your cabinets but it sounds like they probably did not have a lacquer finish but a hand rubbed wax finish to begin with.

Took this from the Kraft maid site:

Wood Cabinet Surfaces

As with all wood products, avoid excessive moisture. KraftMaid cabinetry is designed for use inside the home or other buildings and is not intended for outdoor applications. Once your cabinets have been installed, wipe down all exteriors with a damp cloth to remove dust. Complete a small area at a time and wipe dry. Wood cabinetry finishes may be cleaned and protected by using any commercially available cleaning polish. KraftMaid recommends an emulsion-type cleaner (such as Murphy's Oil Soap). These are formulated without wax, petroleum solvents or silicones. The extended use of wax polishes can result in a wax film buildup, while the use of silicone polishes can harm the cabinet's finish

 

[PurpleSurfer]

I have a friend with rental homes who swears by Mean Green. She says it completely removes even the impossible yellowing from cigarette smoke residue on the kitchen cabinets.

I personally like the pledge orange oil spray. It seems to fill in? the little nicks and scratches also.

 

[disneyhand]

I've just used a damp microfiber cloth so far and they look great! Anytime I need something stronger it will be vinegar and water too.

Regarding Murphy's, it could have different results on different finishes maybe?

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

Regarding Murphy's, it could have different results on different finishes maybe?

Sure anythings possible but it can not remove a finish without solvents, unless something abrasive was being used with it then it would be the abrasive that removed the finish and it would have removed the finish if you had only used water with it. If you rub something long enough and hard enough in one place you can remove a finish with just about anything.


I would say that it could appear that the Murphy's removed the finish because after years of everyday use the finish had been removed by everyday wear and tear and when cleaned the wood underneath became more noticeable.

 

[Pigeon]

I've used very diluted dawn soap to gently remove the grease and hand oils.

We remodeled our kitchen with maple cabinets last summer. The owner of the cabinet shop who made them said to clean them like this and to dry with a soft cloth immediately. So far, it's worked well.

 

[dyna]

Murphys gives me asthma attack can't use it. Magic eraser left a dull film on my cabinet door that I have not been able to remove in at least 5 yrs even lemon oi did not remove the dullness left by magic eraser.

I do most of my cleaning with vinegar an will give it a try on cabinets an follow up wITH A GOOD COAT OF LEMON OIL. ooops sorry about the caps.