Rr

RosemontCrest

07/10/2010 8:56 PM

Cleaning Wood Kitchen Cabinet Doors

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=AE 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


This topic has 12 replies

Ee

Evan

in reply to RosemontCrest on 07/10/2010 8:56 PM

08/10/2010 5:37 PM

On Oct 7, 11:56=A0pm, RosemontCrest <[email protected]> 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=AE 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

Rr

RosemontCrest

in reply to RosemontCrest on 07/10/2010 8:56 PM

11/10/2010 7:56 PM

On Oct 11, 8:45=A0am, "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
wrote:
> On 10/8/2010 6:18 PM, [email protected] 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=AE 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 removin=
g
> > 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. =A0Don'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

LJ

Larry Jaques

in reply to RosemontCrest on 07/10/2010 8:56 PM

08/10/2010 2:49 PM

WRECK only

On Fri, 8 Oct 2010 15:33:40 -0400, "dadiOH" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>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?
>
>Better? Don't know, I always use paint thinner or naptha.

Yeah, paint thinner for non-waterbased goo and Murphy's Oil Soap for
the water-washable stuff. I use a murf/thin/murf cleaning schedule
for the really bad stuff, like when I moved in here.

--
You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.
--Jack London

Nn

Nova

in reply to RosemontCrest on 07/10/2010 8:56 PM

08/10/2010 9:31 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 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
[email protected]

dd

"dadiOH"

in reply to RosemontCrest on 07/10/2010 8:56 PM

08/10/2010 3:33 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?

Better? Don't know, I always use paint thinner or naptha.


--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
...a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico


rr

rlz

in reply to RosemontCrest on 07/10/2010 8:56 PM

08/10/2010 5:44 PM

On Oct 8, 6:37=A0pm, Evan <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Oct 7, 11:56=A0pm, RosemontCrest <[email protected]> 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=AE 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

nn

in reply to RosemontCrest on 07/10/2010 8:56 PM

08/10/2010 6:18 PM

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.

Cc

"Clot"

in reply to RosemontCrest on 07/10/2010 8:56 PM

09/10/2010 9:26 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?


Vinegar?

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

Sc

Sonny

in reply to RosemontCrest on 07/10/2010 8:56 PM

08/10/2010 1:26 PM

Greased Lightning!

Sonny

LJ

Larry Jaques

in reply to RosemontCrest on 07/10/2010 8:56 PM

08/10/2010 7:52 PM

On Fri, 8 Oct 2010 17:44:00 -0700 (PDT), rlz <[email protected]> wrote:

>On Oct 8, 6:37 pm, Evan <[email protected]> wrote:
>> On Oct 7, 11:56 pm, RosemontCrest <[email protected]> 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.

And TSP is also a heavy-duty deglosser.
I'd never use it on anything I wanted to maintain a gloss on.

--
You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.
--Jack London

nn

in reply to RosemontCrest on 07/10/2010 8:56 PM

11/10/2010 11:45 AM

On 10/8/2010 6:18 PM, [email protected] 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).

LD

"Lobby Dosser"

in reply to RosemontCrest on 07/10/2010 8:56 PM

08/10/2010 10:52 PM

"Larry Jaques" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Fri, 8 Oct 2010 17:44:00 -0700 (PDT), rlz <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>On Oct 8, 6:37 pm, Evan <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> On Oct 7, 11:56 pm, RosemontCrest <[email protected]> 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.
>
> And TSP is also a heavy-duty deglosser.
> I'd never use it on anything I wanted to maintain a gloss on.

I only used it as prep for a repaint.


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