7 Cleaners That Are Safe To Use On Wood Cabinets

If your fingers get sticky after reaching for a coffee mug, it may be time to clean your kitchen cabinets. These surfaces, which are generally located near the stovetop, can become coated in grease and grime over time, leaving pesky residue that is difficult to remove. Some popular options for cleaning wood cabinets include Murphy Oil Soap, Method's Wood for Good Cleaner, and Parker & Bailey Kitchen Cabinet Cream. If you don't want to spend money on a brand-new, pricey bottle of cleaner, you can easily use items from around your kitchen and pantry to clean your wood cabinets, as well. You can combine basic kitchen staples like baking soda or dish soap with water to create a DIY wood cleaner that won't damage the finish. 

When cleaning wood cabinets, you want to make sure you avoid using any cleaners that contain harsh or acidic ingredients, such as bleach or ammonia. Citrus-based cleaners can also damage the finish on your cabinets. Note that while vinegar can also be used to clean these surfaces, it should only be utilized if there is ample grease residue. Otherwise, it can be harmful to the wood. You also want to avoid using rough tools like scouring pads or toothbrushes, even if the residue is thick. Note that water should be used sparingly on wooden surfaces to avoid warping or water damage. 

One of the most popular products for wood surfaces, Murphy's Oil Soap is known for being gentle. Since it's concentrated, you will want to dilute it before applying it to your cabinets. Pour about 1/4 cup of Murphy's into a gallon of hot water, then use a sponge to apply the solution to the wood. While you don't need to rinse Murphy's soap, it may be a good idea to wipe the wood down with a damp cloth afterwards. Lastly, use a clean cloth to dry the cabinets.

While there are numerous wood-specific cleaners available on the market, Method's Daily Wood Cleaner is one of the highest-rated products, according to customer reviews from the Walmart, Target, Giant, and Home Depot websites. It's also relatively affordable; you can purchase a 28-ounce bottle at Target, where it has a five-star rating, for only $5.59. You can safely use this cleaner on your kitchen cabinets without worrying about damaging the finish. 

While slightly more expensive than Murphy's Oil or Method's Wood Cleaner, Weiman Cabinet & Wood Clean & Shine is another highly rated product, recommended by experts. Instead of simply cleaning your wood cabinets, Weiman's cleaner first removes any grease and dirt, then leaves a shiny protective layer on the surface. This prevents future excess grease buildup on your cabinets, making the next cleaning process much easier. You can purchase a 17-ounce bottle of Weinman's Clean & Shine for $6.78 at Lowe's. 

If your wood cabinets tend to collect greasy residue and fingerprints, then you should give Parker & Bailey's Kitchen Cabinet Cream a go. Named Good Housekeeping's pick for gentlest cabinet cleaner, this kitchen cream is a bit pricier at $9.99 for an 8-ounce bottle. According to customer reviews, though, it might be worth the price if your cabinets are tough to scrub. To use, pour a small amount onto a microfiber cloth and scrub the tough-to-clean areas. The stains and stickiness should quickly start to disappear. 

If you want a quick and easy way to clean the grease from your wooden kitchen cabinets, you only need two ingredients that you already have in your home: dish soap and warm water. There's no need to run out to the store to purchase a new cleaning product; this combination works like a charm. Pour warm water into a bowl or spray bottle before adding a few drops of soap. Shake or stir the combo until you have a soapy mix. Dampen a microfiber cloth with this solution, and wipe down your wooden cabinets. Afterwards, wipe the surface with plain water to remove any soap residue, then dry with a clean cloth. 

If you've tried a DIY soap and water mixture on your sticky wooden cabinets and the residue has yet to disappear, you may want to go at it with a tougher combination: a baking soda and water paste. Mix these two ingredients until you have a thick texture. Apply the paste to the troublesome areas and let it absorb for about 10 minutes. Using a microfiber cloth or sponge, gently wipe off the paste. Sticky stains should be easy to remove with this mixture. If they're not quite gone after the first go, repeat the process. 

While vinegar can be a helpful cleaning agent around the house, it should be used with caution. The high acidity levels in vinegar can damage your wood finishing if you don't use it properly. If your kitchen cabinets are particularly greasy and grimy, and other cleaners are not working, you can give a vinegar and water mixture a try. Combine equal parts water with vinegar and apply the solution to the affected areas. Don't forget to wipe the cabinets down afterwards and dry with a clean cloth.