The Key To Cleaning Oil Stains Off Of Lacquered Cabinets Once And For All

The beautiful and glossy finish of a lacquered cabinet elevates your kitchen space. Lacquer is applied through spraying a solvent-based coating, which provides a smooth finish and elegant look to your kitchen cabinetry. You can also use it to finish doors or other wooden furniture throughout your home. Unfortunately, even though lacquered cabinets are strong, they often require some heavy maintenance. When your lacquered cabinets get stubborn oil stains, the key to cleaning them without damaging the finish is a gentle solution of warm water, soap, and vinegar. For the harder stains, try a cleaning solution of linseed oil, flour, and turpentine.

It's important to note that when cleaning cabinets with a lacquer finish, chemical-based cleaners are not recommended. They usually cause more wear to your cabinets and break down the finish. Avoid lacquer mistakes when changing the color of your cabinets or cleaning them by testing the cleaner, paint, or replacement finish on a small area of the cabinet before going over it completely.

A lacquer finish on your cabinets helps keep them strong and durable. It also ensures adaptability when the wood flexes due to temperature changes or heat from appliances. To keep them looking shiny and new, lacquered cabinets require frequent dusting and should be protected from exposure to heat and water as much as possible. It's necessary to clean your kitchen cabinets often to keep them pristine.

When performing a deep clean to remove oil stains, start with a soft cloth. Using more abrasive items for cleaning, like a sponge or steel wool, can strip the finish. You must also try not to let any oil stains sit for extended periods, as they can stick to and wear away your lacquer. Use diluted mild dish soap in warm water with a bit of white vinegar. Wipe the cabinets in gentle, circular motions to remove grease and stains. You can easily degrease your kitchen cabinets with this simple cleaning method.

For more aggressive or caked-on oil and grease stains, a stronger cleaning solution is needed, but also one that won't damage the lacquer. Soak your cloth in a mix of linseed oil, turpentine, and flour, similar to a paste. Gently rub the solution directly onto the stains to remove them. You can go back over more stubborn stains with just a little bit more pressure. Don't forget to have a dry cloth ready to wipe the cabinet immediately after cleaning so that the moisture doesn't stay on your lacquer finish.