If you’ve noticed a buildup of sticky grease and grime on your kitchen cabinets, you’re not alone. The constant splattering and vapors from cooking can leave cabinets looking dingy and stained over time. While it may seem like an impossible task, restoring grease-laden cabinets to their former shine is easier than you think with the right homemade degreasing solutions.
From diluted dish soap to baking soda scrub pastes, we’ll cover various homemade degreaser recipes tailored to clean even the grimiest cabinet surfaces effectively.
What Causes Greasy Kitchen Cabinets?
Kitchen cabinets attract layers of oily residue over time for a few reasons:
- Cooking fats and oils splatter onto cabinet surfaces near the stove and range.
- Food spills and fingerprints leave behind grease and dirt.
- Dust and dirt particles in the air cling to existing grease buildup.
- Kitchen heat and humidity cause vapors to coat surfaces.
The result is an unpleasant greasy film that makes cabinets appear dirty no matter how often you clean them. Greasy buildup also attracts more dust and dirt over time, creating a grimy vicious cycle.
Negative Effects of Greasy Cabinets
Besides looking unsightly, leaving greasy cabinets unchecked can cause wider issues including:
- Appearance: Grease stains make kitchen cabinets look dirty, sticky, and unkempt even after cleaning.
- Further dirt buildup: Greasy areas attract more dust, dirt, and grime over time.
- Food residue: Bacteria and germs from food particles thrive in grease.
- Finish damage: Grease residue can break down cabinet sealants and finishes over time.
Homemade Degreaser #1: Dish Soap
What You’ll Need
- Dishwashing liquid (Dawn recommended)
- Warm water
- Spray bottle
- Microfiber cloths
How to Use It
Diluted dish soap makes an excellent grease-cutting cleaner for cabinets. Here’s how to mix it:
- Fill a spray bottle with warm water.
- Add several drops of dish soap per cup of water.
- Secure the top and gently shake to mix.
- Lightly spray the solution over any visibly greasy areas.
- Allow it to soak for 2-3 minutes.
- Wipe clean using a fresh microfiber cloth.
Tips for Best Results
- Spot test first on a small inconspicuous spot.
- Reapply as needed for tough grease spots.
- Rinse cabinets with clean water and dry thoroughly after cleaning.
- Use a gentle touch to avoid damaging delicate cabinet surfaces.
Homemade Degreaser #2: Baking Soda Paste
What You’ll Need
- Baking soda
- Warm water
- Small bowl and spoon for mixing
- Soft scrub brush, sponge, or cleaning cloth
How to Use It
Baking soda transforms into a gently abrasive paste when mixed with water, making it ideal for scrubbing off stubborn grease and grime.
- Add 1/4 cup baking soda to a small bowl.
- Gradually mix in warm water a bit at a time until a thick paste forms.
- Using a soft brush or sponge, apply the paste to visibly greasy areas.
- Allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Gently scrub using light circular motions.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
- Dry immediately with a soft cloth.
Tips for Best Results
- Spot test first, especially on wood cabinets.
- Don’t allow the paste to dry on the cabinets.
- Avoid using too much pressure while scrubbing.
- Rinse and dry thoroughly after to prevent streaks.
Homemade Degreaser #3: Vinegar Solution
What You’ll Need
- White vinegar
- Warm water
- Clean cloths or paper towels
How to Use It
The acetic acid in vinegar dissolves grease to restore cabinet shine. Follow these steps:
- Pour undiluted white vinegar into a small bowl.
- Dip a clean cloth or paper towel in warm water and wring out excess.
- Dip the dampened cloth into the vinegar then wipe down greasy areas.
- Rinse the cabinets with a cloth dampened with clean water.
- Dry immediately with a fresh dry cloth.
Tips for Best Results
- Test vinegar first on a small hidden spot.
- Reapply vinegar as needed for tough grease.
- Rinsing prevents vinegar odor from lingering.
- Dry thoroughly after rinsing to avoid streaks.
Homemade Degreaser #4: Murphy’s Oil Soap
What You’ll Need
- Murphy Oil Soap
- Warm water
- Bowl
- Scrub brush, sponge, or rag
How to Use It
Murphy’s Oil Soap is a natural degreasing cleaner safe for all cabinet materials. Follow the steps below:
- Add a few drops of Murphy’s Oil Soap to a bowl of warm water.
- Use a scrub brush or sponge dipped in the solution to clean cabinet surfaces.
- For flat cabinet doors, dip a rag in the solution and wipe clean.
- Rinse thoroughly with a clean wet rag.
- Dry immediately with a dry soft cloth.
Tips for Best Results
- Dilute according to package directions.
- Use warm water to boost its grease-cutting ability.
- Dry wooden cabinets well to prevent streaking.
- Avoid murphy’s oil soap on unsealed wood.
Degreasing Tips and Tricks
Follow these tips in addition to using homemade degreasing solutions for the best results:
- Address grease buildup early and regularly.
- Allow degreasers time to soak and penetrate before wiping.
- Reapply degreasers to tough spots as needed.
- Always dry cabinets thoroughly after cleaning to prevent streaks.
- For cabinets with chipped finishes, gently sand and/or degloss before degreasing.
- Use soft microfiber cloths and scrub pads to avoid scratching.
- Work in small sections for maximum effectiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best homemade degreaser recipe?
The best homemade degreaser depends on your cabinets and severity of buildup. Mild grease can be removed with diluted dish soap or vinegar. For heavy grease, baking soda paste or undiluted Murphy’s Oil Soap work well.
How often should I degrease my kitchen cabinets?
Kitchen cabinets should be degreased regularly, ranging from every few weeks to every few months depending on use. Monitor cabinets and degrease whenever grease and grime become noticeable.
Can I use homemade degreasers on all cabinet materials?
Yes, homemade degreasers using gentle ingredients like dish soap and vinegar are safe for finished wood, laminate, granite, and other common cabinet materials. Always spot test first.
What household ingredients make good degreasers?
Ingredients like dish soap, baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, Murphy’s Oil Soap, and hydrogen peroxide found in most kitchens make excellent non-toxic degreasers.
How can I prevent grease buildup on cabinets?
Regular cleaning, using cabinet ventilation while cooking, installing backsplashes, avoiding cabinet contact when cooking, and wiping spills quickly can help minimize grease buildup.
Lemon and Baking Soda Degreaser
For a powerful citrus-scented degreasing paste, mix equal parts fresh lemon juice and baking soda. Apply the paste to greasy cabinet areas using a soft sponge or brush. Allow the paste to sit for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing. The acidic lemon juice dissolves grease while the abrasive baking soda lifts grime. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean cloth.
Castile Soap and Olive Oil Wood Cabinet Cleaner
Wooden cabinets require gentle cleaning solutions that won’t degrade the finish over time. Mix a few drops of castile soap with warm water in a spray bottle. For extra wood conditioning power, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. The olive oil helps moisturize wood cabinet surfaces as you clean. Spray the solution onto cabinets, allow to sit briefly, then wipe clean with a damp microfiber cloth.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Dish Soap Degreaser
For a degreasing solution made from common household items, combine 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 1 part dish soap in a spray bottle. Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach that helps lift stains. The dish soap cuts through greasy grime. Spray the mixture onto dirty cabinets, allow to sit for a few minutes, then wipe clean with a damp cloth or paper towel. Rinse with fresh water and repeat as needed.
Don’t let greasy kitchen cabinets get you down. With the right homemade degreasing solutions, you can restore their clean sheen and have them looking like new again. We covered effective options ranging from diluted dish soap to baking soda scrub pastes. You likely have the ingredients for these non-toxic cleaners in your kitchen already.
Next time your cabinets need degreasing, skip the harsh chemicals and try one of these simple homemade solutions instead. Your cabinets will shine, you’ll avoid exposure to toxins, and you’ll save money too.
