I own a rental property that has stained wood kitchen cabinet doors
without knobs; they have coved recesses on the edges to serve as
finger-pulls. After years of use, grime and oils from hands is
showing. I'm not sure what type of wood it is and the finish appears
to be okay. I want to clean these doors as well as possible without
the need to refinish. I have considered that after I clean them, I
might find damage to the finish, but for now, all I want to do is
clean them.

Years ago, I used with reasonable success Formby's® Deep Cleansing
Build-Up Remover (http://www.formbys.com/products/
buildup_remover.cfm), or whatever it was called at that time.

Is there a better product available today?

Thanks,
Brian

Greased Lightning!

Sonny

On 10/7/2010 11:56 PM, RosemontCrest wrote:
I own a rental property that has stained wood kitchen cabinet doors
without knobs; they have coved recesses on the edges to serve as
finger-pulls. After years of use, grime and oils from hands is
showing. I'm not sure what type of wood it is and the finish appears
to be okay. I want to clean these doors as well as possible without
the need to refinish. I have considered that after I clean them, I
might find damage to the finish, but for now, all I want to do is
clean them.

Years ago, I used with reasonable success Formby's® Deep Cleansing
Build-Up Remover (http://www.formbys.com/products/
buildup_remover.cfm), or whatever it was called at that time.

Is there a better product available today?

Thanks,
Brian

I use mineral spirits on wood furniture and cabinets...good for removing
wax and grease, and have never seen it damage wood finish. Test on
inconspicuous area first.

On Oct 7, 11:56*pm, RosemontCrest wrote:
I own a rental property that has stained wood kitchen cabinet doors
without knobs; they have coved recesses on the edges to serve as
finger-pulls. After years of use, grime and oils from hands is
showing. I'm not sure what type of wood it is and the finish appears
to be okay. I want to clean these doors as well as possible without
the need to refinish. I have considered that after I clean them, I
might find damage to the finish, but for now, all I want to do is
clean them.

Years ago, I used with reasonable success Formby's® Deep Cleansing
Build-Up Remover (http://www.formbys.com/products/
buildup_remover.cfm), or whatever it was called at that time.

Is there a better product available today?

Thanks,
Brian


Murphy's Oil Soap made in a solution of warm water and an old
terrycloth towel or facecloth will clean all of the grim off your
dirty kitchen cabinets without damaging the finish...

Using something else like thinner, etc. or a harsh chemical
cleaner could soften the finish and you would be rubbing the
dirty INTO the finish as you try to clean it...

~~ Evan

On Oct 8, 6:37*pm, Evan wrote:
On Oct 7, 11:56*pm, RosemontCrest wrote:





I own a rental property that has stained wood kitchen cabinet doors
without knobs; they have coved recesses on the edges to serve as
finger-pulls. After years of use, grime and oils from hands is
showing. I'm not sure what type of wood it is and the finish appears
to be okay. I want to clean these doors as well as possible without
the need to refinish. I have considered that after I clean them, I
might find damage to the finish, but for now, all I want to do is
clean them.

Years ago, I used with reasonable success Formby's® Deep Cleansing
Build-Up Remover (http://www.formbys.com/products/
buildup_remover.cfm), or whatever it was called at that time.

Is there a better product available today?

Thanks,
Brian

Murphy's Oil Soap made in a solution of warm water and an old
terrycloth towel or facecloth will clean all of the grim off your
dirty kitchen cabinets without damaging the finish...

Using something else like thinner, etc. or a harsh chemical
cleaner could soften the finish and you would be rubbing the
dirty INTO the finish as you try to clean it...

~~ Evan- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I've cleaned cabinets with TSP (Trisodium phospate (sp)). It's a deep
degreaser. You just need to change the water frequently if the
cabinets are really dirty. I think I bought it at Ace Hardware.

Rob

RosemontCrest wrote:
I own a rental property that has stained wood kitchen cabinet doors
without knobs; they have coved recesses on the edges to serve as
finger-pulls. After years of use, grime and oils from hands is
showing. I'm not sure what type of wood it is and the finish appears
to be okay. I want to clean these doors as well as possible without
the need to refinish. I have considered that after I clean them, I
might find damage to the finish, but for now, all I want to do is
clean them.

Years ago, I used with reasonable success Formby's® Deep Cleansing
Build-Up Remover (http://www.formbys.com/products/
buildup_remover.cfm), or whatever it was called at that time.

Is there a better product available today?

Thanks,
Brian

I would first try a mild grease cutting detergent such as "Dawn"
dishsoap mixed with warm water. If that didn't work my next choice
would be VM&P Naphtha.

Naphtha is often used to clean guitars but be careful to use VM&P
naphtha and not the high flash naphtha that is used as a retarder and
sold by many paint stores.

As always, TEST IN AN INCONSPICUOUS PLACE FIRST.

--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA

RosemontCrest wrote:
I own a rental property that has stained wood kitchen cabinet doors
without knobs; they have coved recesses on the edges to serve as
finger-pulls. After years of use, grime and oils from hands is
showing. I'm not sure what type of wood it is and the finish appears
to be okay. I want to clean these doors as well as possible without
the need to refinish. I have considered that after I clean them, I
might find damage to the finish, but for now, all I want to do is
clean them.

Years ago, I used with reasonable success Formby's® Deep Cleansing
Build-Up Remover (http://www.formbys.com/products/
buildup_remover.cfm), or whatever it was called at that time.

Is there a better product available today?


Vinegar?

I use it on our kitchen cabinets' doors and the interior doors of the house
to remove grease marks.

On 10/8/2010 6:18 PM, wrote:
On 10/7/2010 11:56 PM, RosemontCrest wrote:
I own a rental property that has stained wood kitchen cabinet doors
without knobs; they have coved recesses on the edges to serve as
finger-pulls. After years of use, grime and oils from hands is
showing. I'm not sure what type of wood it is and the finish appears
to be okay. I want to clean these doors as well as possible without
the need to refinish. I have considered that after I clean them, I
might find damage to the finish, but for now, all I want to do is
clean them.

Years ago, I used with reasonable success Formby's® Deep Cleansing
Build-Up Remover (http://www.formbys.com/products/
buildup_remover.cfm), or whatever it was called at that time.

Is there a better product available today?

Thanks,
Brian

I use mineral spirits on wood furniture and cabinets...good for removing
wax and grease, and have never seen it damage wood finish. Test on
inconspicuous area first.

One issue to mention is that it seems old, hard cooking grease on wood
cabinets will soften some finishes and removing the grease removes the
softened finish. Don't know any way around that, but m.s. works very
well on fine finishes (not already damaged).

On Oct 11, 8:45*am, "
wrote:
On 10/8/2010 6:18 PM, wrote:



On 10/7/2010 11:56 PM, RosemontCrest wrote:
I own a rental property that has stained wood kitchen cabinet doors
without knobs; they have coved recesses on the edges to serve as
finger-pulls. After years of use, grime and oils from hands is
showing. I'm not sure what type of wood it is and the finish appears
to be okay. I want to clean these doors as well as possible without
the need to refinish. I have considered that after I clean them, I
might find damage to the finish, but for now, all I want to do is
clean them.

Years ago, I used with reasonable success Formby's® Deep Cleansing
Build-Up Remover (http://www.formbys.com/products/
buildup_remover.cfm), or whatever it was called at that time.

Is there a better product available today?

Thanks,
Brian

I use mineral spirits on wood furniture and cabinets...good for removing
wax and grease, and have never seen it damage wood finish. Test on
inconspicuous area first.

One issue to mention is that it seems old, hard cooking grease on wood
cabinets will soften some finishes and removing the grease removes the
softened finish. *Don't know any way around that, but m.s. works very
well on fine finishes (not already damaged).

I thank everyone who provided constructive replies.

Brian