How to Degrease Kitchen Cabinets

All the frying, sautéing, and simmering in the kitchen can lead to grease buildup on cabinets. Learning how to degrease kitchen cabinets is necessary, as grease ruins the look of your cabinets and helps accumulate enough dust and dirt to host colonies of bacteria in your kitchen. 

The best way to degrease kitchen cabinets is following these steps. Start with the easiest, and go to the next when needed: 

1. Dissolve detergent in warm water, and scrub with a soft cloth soaked with vinegar and baking soda.
2. Use stronger solvents like TSP for greasy buildups.
3. Repaint or redo stubbornly stained cabinets.

Tag along as we take you through each method in this guide on how to degrease kitchen cabinets. We’ll get into the finer details and even decide the best way to degrease kitchen cabinets. 

But let’s start by discussing why your kitchen cabinets need regular degreasing.

Benefits of Regular Degreasing

Grease is an inevitable byproduct of cooking and easily finds its way onto your cabinets. Steam rises from pans on the stove whenever you cook, clinging to cabinet surfaces above. As it cools down, the steam condenses. The trapped oil particles settle on your cabinets as a sticky layer of grease.

Grease accumulates with time, depending on how much and how frequently you cook. It’s usually more pronounced on cabinets near the stove and oven. This buildup can lead to several negative effects that make degreasing a necessity.

Damage to Cabinet Finish

The sticky nature of grease makes it an effective dust and dirt magnet. Over time, this accumulation dulls the finish of your cabinets, making them appear old and dirty. 

If left unattended, the buildup can even discolor and permanently damage your cabinets. If your cabinets are white or a very light color, you’ll need to learn how to clean white cabinets that have yellowed.

Unsanitary Conditions

Besides being unsightly, grease buildup in kitchen cabinets poses a health hazard. As mentioned earlier, it’s an excellent breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms. These can contaminate your food and cause illnesses if not cleaned frequently.

Sustained Aesthetics and Longevity

Regular cleaning helps to maintain your kitchen’s aesthetics. Frequently degreasing prevents damage to your kitchen cabinet’s finish and ensures a healthy cooking space.

Besides that, regular cleaning also makes future tasks easier and less time-consuming. Neglecting to clean your cabinets periodically will only make the degreasing process more challenging, requiring more time and effort.

Preparing to Degrease Kitchen Cabinets

Gathering all the necessary supplies before you begin the degreasing process is essential. It will ensure a smooth and efficient cleaning process. Here are some items you may need:

• Degreasers or natural cleaners like vinegar, baking soda, or lemon.
• Microfiber cloths or sponges.
• Rubber gloves.
• Hot water.
• Cleaning bucket or spray bottle.

Once you have all your supplies, it’s time to prepare the kitchen area for cleaning. This step is crucial in ensuring the degreasing process goes smoothly without interruptions.

Start by removing any items or decorations on top of your cabinets and countertops. If you have contact paper on cabinets, you may not need to remove it if it’s still in good condition. However, if it’s dirty or peeling off, remove it and clean the surface underneath.

Clearing out the space will make reaching and cleaning all areas of your cabinets easier. Remember to remove any magnets or decorations on the exterior of your cabinets as well.

Next, cover your kitchen countertops and floors with old towels or newspapers to protect them from drips or spills during cleaning.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Degrease Kitchen Cabinets

Now that everything is ready, it’s time to degrease your kitchen cabinets. With countless degreasing methods out there, we’re purposefully focusing on using natural cleaners for this guide.

Best Practice: Using Natural Cleaners

Using natural cleaners like vinegar, baking soda, or lemon is an eco-friendly and effective way to degrease kitchen cabinets. Follow these steps for a thorough clean:

1. Mix white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle or cleaning bucket in an equal ratio. Warm water helps to dissolve the grease quickly.
2. Spray the solution onto your cabinets, focusing on the areas with the most grease buildup.
3. Wait for the vinegar to disintegrate the grease in a few minutes. 
4. Soak a soft cloth or sponge in warm detergent water and use it to wash away the soaked grease and grime. Soft-bristled brushes can also help reach crevices and corners without scuffing the cabinet surface.
5. Rinse the cabinets with hot water and dry them with a clean cloth. 
6. For stubborn grease stains, make a paste using baking soda and water. Baking powder soaked in water is a mild abrasive that helps scrub away tough stains. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing it with a sponge or cloth.
7. You could also use fresh lemon juice to cut through tough grease stains. Lemon juice contains natural citric acid that helps break down grease and leaves a refreshing scent.
8. Rinse and dry the cabinets thoroughly after using any of these methods.

What Are the Benefits of Natural Cleaners for Cabinet Degreasing?

1. Environmentally friendly: Using natural cleaners reduces the need for artificial chemicals that harm you and the environment.  
2. Cost-effective: You probably have vinegar, baking soda, and lemon at home already, which makes this method very cost-effective.
3. Safe for food preparation surfaces: Natural cleaners are safe to use on kitchen cabinets where you store or prepare food. You won’t have to worry about leaving behind any harmful chemical residues.
4. Gentle on cabinet surfaces: Chemical degreasers can strip the finish of your cabinets over time. Natural cleaners like vinegar and lemon juice are gentle on cabinet surfaces, preventing any damage to the finish.
5. No harsh fumes: Natural cleaners don’t emit harmful fumes that can cause respiratory problems, making them safe for enclosed spaces like the kitchen.

What About Commercial Degreasers?

Apart from natural cleaners, you can rely on commercial degreasers to remove stubborn grease buildup on kitchen cabinets. 

If you opt for commercial products, here are some tips for effective and safe degreasing.

• Opt for a degreasing product made specifically for kitchen cabinets.
• Read reviews from others who have used the product to determine its effectiveness.
• Choose a degreaser that is environmentally friendly and non-toxic.
• Uphold safe and effective use by adhering to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Final Thoughts on How to Degrease Kitchen Cabinets

We can’t emphasize just how important it is to keep kitchen cabinets clean and free from grease buildup. Regularly degreasing your kitchen cabinets is essential for hygiene as well as aesthetics. 

Using natural cleaners or other safe and effective degreasers can help maintain the quality and longevity of your cabinets. Whether a simple DIY solution or a commercial product, follow proper instructions for safe and effective use. 

Also, go over the best kitchen cabinets for high humidity to ensure you choose the best material for your kitchen cabinets, especially if you live in a humid climate.