Cleaning Old Wood Cabinets

Leave the abrasive cleaners and scrub brushes to your sink.

Cleaning old wood cabinets.

Mix a 50 50 solution of vinegar and warm water and put into a spray bottle. Nothing major i just used sponge with a little dish soap and water. Don t scrub too hard or use steel wool as it will scratch the wood. Heat a damp micro cloth in a microwave for 35 seconds then use it to quickly wipe away the grease layer.

You may also want to use an old toothbrush to get into crevices. Gently rub down the surface of the furniture. Rinse the paste off with clean water and dry with a clean towel. Here s how to clean wooden kitchen cabinets with stubborn stains like syrup or chocolate.

To start wet a rag with a light amount of your chosen cleaner. Harsh scrubbing can damage kitchen cabinets finish or paint. Don t assume that tired woodwork has to be stripped and refinished. All purpose orange oil cleaner.

If your cabinets are really grimy let the cleaner sit for up to 10 minutes after spraying. Make a paste of vinegar and salt. Before you clean your old wooden furniture with dishwashing soap you need to test it out to make sure it won t damage the wood or the finish. Dip a toothbrush into the paste and lightly scrub the stained area.

First clean the cabinets. If possible remove the hardware from the cabinets and drawers before cleaning. Instead prepare your own gentle cleaner. Sometimes a good cleaning is all it takes to bring it back to life says wood finisher john thomas.

Remember to wipe cabinet handles knobs and pulls. Murphy oil soap gets deep into grime to break up dirt particles and it s safe to use on wood products like cabinets. Rub the surface down with a soft cloth and your chosen cleaner. Do use a gentle cleaning solution.

Mist on cabinets let sit for a minute or two and then wipe clean with a soft cloth. Rinse with clear water. For metal hardware on wood cabinets dip a toothbrush in a 50 50 solution of vinegar and warm water and scrub the hardware the surrounding wood and the crevices of ornate trim. This step is optional.

Next gather another cloth or sponge. Scrub with soap and warm water. Keep wiping the surface with the same rag until the rag no longer picks up new dirt or debris. If the detergent strips or ruins the finish do not use it.

Finally clean the area with a mild wood soap and water then dry completely. Here are his recommendations for cleaning woodwork properly.