How To Clean Oak Cabinets So They Shine Like New

Every Southern kitchen has one staple in the room other than the island, and it's the cabinets. Oak cabinets are perfect for adding warmth and charm to the space, but like every home chef knows, there comes a time when you. need to clean off the grease and grime buildup.

Once you start to see those shiny specs on your oak cabinets, it's time to give your kitchen a much-needed reset . But you'll want to do so correctly with the right tools to avoid the common discoloration, warping, or damage to the finish that comes from using the wrong products.

Here's your step-by-step guide to cleaning oak cabinets safely and correctly so your beautiful kitchen stays the heartbeat of your home and the hub for entertaining.

What You'll Need

Here's everything you'll need to clean your oak cabinets.

• Microfiber cloths

• Soft-bristled toothbrush or small scrub brush

• Mild dish soap

• Warm water

• White vinegar (diluted)

• Olive oil or wood conditioner (optional for polish)

• Spray bottle

• Dry towel or cloth

• Optional: commercial wood cleaner (finish-safe)

Understanding Your Cabinets

Wood furniture and materials have come a long way. While real wood options are still available, there's also veneer or engineered alternatives to give you a more affordable way to bring the wood design you love into your home without the hefty cost of the real thing. Before you clean your oak cabinets, it's important to distinguish whether they're solid oak or veneer since the cleaning process is different.

If you don't already knew whether or not your cabinets are solid oak or veneer, you can check yourself by looking at the wood grain. Veneer oak cabinets have a grain pattern that changes direction along the edges. Solid cabinets have a continuous direction over the edges. Solid oak also feels heavier than veneer.

Distinguishing between solid oak or veneer isn't the only thing you need to check for. There's also the type of finish your cabinets have. Are they glossy, matte, stained, or lacquered? Here's how to check for each:

• Gloss:This finish looks shiny and smooth. It also reflects light from your kitchen.

• Matte:This finish creates a dull and non-shiny appearance. It does not reflect light very sell so there will be a solid color look.

• Stain:There will be a noticeable wood grain pattern.

• Lacquer:Apply a small amount of lacquer finish on a hidden area of your cabinet to see whether or not it dissolves. If the thinner dissolves or becomes sticky, then you have lacquered cabinets.

Routine Cleaning Steps

It can be difficult to remember to wipe down your cabinets daily but you should aim to do this at least once a week . This help remove grease and grime that's latched onto your cabinets from the meals you made days before, and it helps to preserve the beautiful appearance of the wood.

You can wipe down your cabinets weekly with a simple mix of warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Dip a microfiber cloth into the water and then gently scrub away any greasy spots on your cabinets. When you're finished, use another dry microfiber cloth to rinse the solution away and prevent warping or water damage. If you don't have another microfiber cloth on hand, make sure whatever you use is lint-free to prevent streaks.

How To Remove Grease And Grime

Splatters from your culinary creations are bound to land on your cabinets. It's inevitable, but luckily this grease and grime is easy to remove with either diluted vinegar or gentle cabinet cleaners.

The acidity in vinegar helps to penetrate buildup to lift it off the surface of your cabinets. But, because of the abrasiveness of the acidity, it's best to mix it with equal parts warm water to dilute it just a little bit. This helps preserve the material of your cabinets so it doesn't strip the finish or damage the wood. You should also lightly mist the solution with a spray bottle and avoid drenching your cabinets with the mixture so water doesn't seep through the surface and cause rotting or warping.

Honestly, the best cabinet degreaser to use is dish soap. Most store-bought cleaners are made with harsh chemicals that will greatly damage your wood, so it's recommended to just use a combination of warm water and a few drops of dish soap for safe cleaning.

While wiping the large surface of your cabinets is easy to do with a microfiber cloth, there may be times when you need to reach into crevices and need a more helpful tool. Always use gentle, soft tools like an old toothbrush to scrub away grime in tough corners or nooks, but avoid scrubbing harshly. Never use abrasive tools like steel wool or scouring pads since they can damage the wood.

Deep Cleaning Tips For Stubborn Buildup

If stubborn buildup persists on your oak cabinets, you may be wondering if there is something tougher you can use. There are natural and commercial products you can try for stuck-on grime, but always remember to read the label to see if a commercial product is made with abrasive chemicals.

If natural solutions like water and dish soap or water and vinegar aren't helping, then try adding a little bit of baking soda to water to form a pasta. Baking soda is like vinegar, made with acidity that helps lift off grime, and it can be used an added agent. Or, you can try mixing lemon juice with baking soda for the same affect. Just test a small batch on a hidden area of your cabinets to make sure the natural acidity doesn't damage your wood before putting it on a larger surface area.

For commercial cleaners, you can try a wood-specialized product like Murphy Oil Soap or other furniture cleaners that are safe to use on wood. Some furniture polishes may be helpful to use as a double-acting cleaner and polisher that removes grime and perfects the finish of your cabinets to give them a like-new feel after cleaning.

What Not To Use On Oak Cabinets

Whenever you're cleaning oak cabinets, always avoid using these cleaners and products. They will either damage the wood or strip the finish:

• Bleach

• Nail polish remover or acetone-based cleaners

• Steel wool

• Scouring pads

• Tough brushes

Tips For Long-Term Care and Maintenance

Cleaning your oak cabinets should be done ideally once or twice a month, but until then, here are a few things you can do to preserve your cabinets in the meantime:

• Dust them every week.

• Clean spills and splatters as soon as they happen.

• Wipe down the hardware.

• Vacuum and wipe down the interiors once a month.

• Keep your kitchen ventilated while cooking to maintain humidity levels.

• Always dry your cabinets thoroughly to prevent water damage.

When To Call A Professional

Cleaning your oak cabinets is a task you can do yourself, no professionals needed! But, if you notice any of these signs while cleaning, then you'll definitely want to call in a professional to take a look at your cabinets:

• Mold growth

• Peeling and chipping paint or stain

• Discoloration

• Wood warping

• Water damage

These can indicate that it's time to replace your cabinets altogether or have a professional come in and repair them, especially if mold or water damage is present.

Frequently asked Questions

What is the best cleaner for oak cabinets?

Dish soap is the best cleaner to use for oak cabinets since it's gentle and tough enough to lift off stains. Mix a few drops of dish soap with warm water before applying the solution to your cabinets with a clean microfiber cloth.

Can I use vinegar on oak cabinets?

You can use vinegar on oak cabinets but the key is to dilute it with equal parts water. Vinegar is a natural ingredient that's powerful to clean grease and grime off cabinets, but it does contain some abrasive properties. Always test a small amount of diluted vinegar on your cabinets to see how it reacts before applying it all over.

How often should oak cabinets be cleaned?

You should clean your oak cabinets once or twice a month and lightly clean them every week with a simple wipe down. To deep clean your cabinets where you also wipe down the interiors, do this every three to six months.

Read the original article on Southern Living