Make Your Kitchen Cabinets Shine with This Homemade Degreaser
Over time, kitchen cabinets accumulate a layer of sticky grease, oil splatters, and food stains that make them appear dirty and dingy. No one wants to display grimy cabinets full of built-up gunk in their kitchen! Luckily, you can banish that greasy film easily with this simple homemade degreaser recipe.
This affordable DIY degreaser will get your cabinets looking shiny and new again using common household ingredients you likely already have on hand. It cuts through grease and lifts away residue without using the harsh chemicals found in most commercial cleaners. Make your own non-toxic solution in minutes and restore the natural beauty of your kitchen cabinets.
Causes of Greasy Cabinet Buildup & Signs You Need a Degreaser
Several factors can cause a gradual buildup of oil and grime on your kitchen cabinets. Frying foods unleashes grease particles into the air that resettle on surfaces. Using cabinets while cooking also transfers food stains and oils from hands onto the doors and fronts. Over time, dirt and dust stick to these oily deposits, creating an unpleasant film.
How can you tell if your cabinets need a good degreasing? Here are some signs that grease and grime have accumulated:
- Visible oily residue, smears, or fingerprints on cabinets
- Dirt and dust sticking to surfaces instead of wiping clean
- Greasy smear left behind when wiping with a wet cloth
- Unpleasant odors coming from cabinets
Grease buildup not only looks bad but can lead to wood rot and other damage over time. Regular degreasing helps protect your cabinets.
Benefits of Homemade Degreasers
Commercial degreasers may use harsh chemicals and leave strong odors behind. Homemade solutions offer some advantages:
- Cost savings since you likely have the basic ingredients at home already
- Non-toxic and biodegradable plant-based ingredients
- Naturally disinfect greasy areas while cleaning
- Leave a light, pleasant scent from essential oils
Make Your Own Degreaser from Simple Ingredients
This homemade cleaner combines the degreasing power of vinegar and dish soap with the scrubbing action of baking soda. Lemon juice helps brighten and disinfect while essential oils provide a fresh scent. Adjust the proportions to suit your needs.
Ingredients
- 1 part white vinegar
- 1 part water
- Few drops of dish soap or castile soap
- 1 tablespoon baking soda (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
- 5-10 drops essential oil like lavender or tea tree (optional)
Instructions
- Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
- Add several drops of dish soap or castile soap.
- Shake bottle to combine ingredients.
- Spray solution directly onto cabinets and let sit 5-10 minutes.
- Scrub with a clean cloth, sponge, or brush to lift away grease and residue.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water and wipe dry with a towel.
Tips for Keeping Cabinets Grease-Free
Regular degreasing can help keep your cabinets looking their best. Here are some tips to prevent buildup between cleanings:
- Open windows and use vents or fans when cooking to keep air circulating
- Install cabinet liners on shelves to protect from spills and splatters
- Clean cabinets thoroughly every 2-3 months or as needed
- Spot clean any problem areas as soon as you notice grease
Frequently Asked Questions
What natural ingredients work best for degreasing?
Vinegar, lemon juice, castile soap, and baking soda all help dissolve and lift away greasy grime on wood or laminate cabinets. Essential oils like tea tree oil also have degreasing properties.
How long should I let the homemade degreaser sit before wiping?
Letting the solution sit for 5-10 minutes gives the ingredients time to break down the oily buildup so it can be wiped away more easily. Scrub gently after letting it soak.
Can I use this homemade cleaner on different cabinet materials?
Yes, this non-toxic degreaser is safe for finished wood, laminate, tile, granite, and other sealed cabinet materials. Avoid using on unfinished wood.
How can I prevent streaks and residue from the degreaser?
Rinse cabinets thoroughly after scrubbing to remove all cleaner residue. Wipe completely dry with a clean cloth. Oiling wood cabinets after cleaning can also help prevent streaks.
Don't tolerate a greasy film on your kitchen cabinets! This simple homemade degreaser can help tackle built-up gunk and restore your cabinets to a like-new shine. Consistent cleaning will also keep wood protected and prevent permanent damage from occurring over time.
With some common household ingredients and a few minutes of effort, you can easily whip up an effective DIY degreaser solution. Skip the expensive and harsh commercial cleaners in favor of this safe, non-toxic method. Your kitchen cabinets will look cleaner and more beautiful after being freed from greasy residue.