Caring for your kitchen the cabinets is imperative for a clean and tidy kitchen.
How to Clean Wood Cabinets with Vinegar
Mix a Cleaning Solution
Fill a spray bottle with a 50:50 mixture of cool water and distilled white vinegar. If the cabinets are heavily soiled or sticky from a greasy film, add 1/2 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid. Shake the bottle well to mix.
Hand holding a spray bottle of vinegar over sink
Remove Surface Dust
Use an electrostatic or feather duster to remove dust from the cabinet doors—no need to push that dust around.
Hand dusting wood kitchen cabinets
Clean and Shine the Cabinets
Lightly spray the cabinet doors and frame with the vinegar solution. Let the solution work for about 60 seconds. Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. Keep moving to a clean area of the cloth as the soil is transferred, and repeat the steps with the interior shelves.
Do not overwet the wood which can cause warping and damage to the finish. If the vinegar solution is dripping off of the doors, you are using too much.
Using a spray bottle of vinegar to clean wood kitchen cabinets
Clean the Hardware
Before cleaning the handles, knobs, or drawer pulls, consider the hardware material. Most metal hardware can be cleaned with the vinegar solution and buffed to a shine. If you have uncoated brass hardware that is dull and needs shining, it is best to remove it from the wood cabinet doors to clean separately.
Cleaning hardware on a wood cabinet
How to Remove Stains from Wood Cabinets
Grease and Food Stains
To remove stubborn grease and food stains, wet a microfiber cloth with hot water and place a dab of dishwashing liquid on the cloth. Gently scrub the greasy area. Wipe away the soapy residue with a clean, damp microfiber cloth. Repeat until the stains are gone.
Using dish soap to remove stains from wood cabinets
Water Stains
Water rings or marks left by drips or wet glasses and cups on shelves are common problems. Rub a small amount of mayonnaise or vegetable oil on the whitened area. Allow it to sit for an hour and then buff it away with a microfiber cloth.
Or, put a dab of non-gel toothpaste on a microfiber cloth and rub the water stain until it disappears. Wipe away the toothpaste residue with a damp cloth and buff the wood with a soft, dry cloth.
Removing water stains on a wood kitchen cabinet
Sticker or Glue Residue
Use the edge of a credit card or plastic scraper to loosen as much of the sticky residue as possible. Place a dab of olive oil on a soft cloth and gently rub the stained area. Move to a clean area of the cloth as the residue is transferred, and reapply more oil if needed.
Finish by cleaning the area with the vinegar and water mixture and buffing it to a shine.
Cleaning sticker residue off a wood cabinet
Additional Tips to Keep Wood Cabinets Clean Longer
Clean up spills and splatters immediately.
Clean the wood cabinet doors at least monthly and the interior shelves every three to six months.
Add a protective barrier of wood furniture wax once a year to prevent grease and grime from discoloring the wood.