I’ve written in the past here on my blog about the concept of cleaning greasy kitchen oil splatters using….wait for it…..oil! As contradictory and crazy as that sounds, cleaning oily messes with oil really works!
So when I came across this cleaning idea from Melissa at No. 2 Pencil for cleaning kitchen “gunk” with vegetable oil and baking soda, it made perfect sense to me! I eagerly decided to give it a try it on my “gunky” kitchen cabinets!
(Author’s Note: I took these photos a few years ago, before we did our mini makeover on our kitchen cabinets and counters.) I’ve used this same method on many cabinets since then, and it always works like a charm. We’ve been unable to take photos that capture the transformation quite as well as these photos do, so hopefully you’ll forgive the use of a few less-than-quality photos for today. :-)
When we took these photos, my cabinets were long overdue for a good cleaning. A considerable layer of grime had been accumulating on them that I hadn’t even noticed! Especially near the handles where grimy hands were touching them over and over. It was time to mix up a batch of this stuff and give it a go!
Related: 45 of the Best Home Cleaning Hacks You’ll Ever Try
Kitchen Cabinet Gunk Remover
Ingredients:
- 1 part coconut oil
- 2 parts baking soda
Directions:
Mix 1 part coconut oil with 2 parts baking soda in a small bowl.
Apply the mixture to your cabinets with a cloth or sponge, or as I like to do, use your hands. I think it’s easier to work it into all the nooks and crannies this way.
For the grooves that are harder to reach with my fingers, I like to use an old toothbrush.
Here is a picture of one grimy door handle area done, and one NOT done. Pretty impressive huh!?
It was pretty amazing (and kind of disgusting) to see all the dirt that came off with the gunk remover.
Looking GOOD!
Do you have an easy way to clean grimy cabinets?
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Will it work on laminate?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The reason this works is pure chemistry. Like dissolves like! It will work on any greasy, oil-based gunk.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you for that encouragement, will try this week!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I want to Thank You for sharing your Greats tips. This is one I will be doing very soon.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ll concur with the prevailing question- how do you get it off? (Or do you?)
Do you: rub it in and let it fall off? Wipe it off? If so, with a cloth or paper towel? Dry or damp?
Can it be used on cabinet hardware? On painted cabinets? On shiny finishes? Can you use this method on other woodwork such as door jambs?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes, rub it in and let it fall off, then wipe with a moist cloth or paper towel. Yes, it can be used on hardware. I haven’t tried it on painted cabinets or ones with “shiny finishes,” but I’m sure it work just fine! Just be sure to try an inconspicuous area first. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just tried this on a black scuff mark on my wood floor. (These marks are the bane of my existence, hard to remove without janitorial type cleaners, which of course strip the finish too). I made the paste, rubbed it on with a white terry rag, and let it sit for five minutes while I checked this post to see if I’d forgotten anything. Scrubbed the paste off with another part of the terry rag.
The stain isn’t gone but it definitely is reduced. The surrounding finish is also lighter, but not as badly as with the heavy-duty cleaners. I figure a couple more applications should do the trick, then perhaps linseed oil to fix the finish.
The stains have been there a while; this would be easier if I was keeping on top of it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use a microfiber rag/towel to wipe it off.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi. I love this idea on cleaning cabinets, but was wondering, would it work on white cabinets as well?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Probably wipe with a cloth or paper towel, as she mentioned
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hmmmm . . .my kitchen cabinets are Louisiana cherry and are finished with a high gloss. Seems like the baking soda might scratch the finish? I don’t really have a test spot. Any thoughts?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Try using just the oil and a rag :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes I’d be interested to see how it’s cleaned off too
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Just with a moist cloth :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Did I miss something? Okay, so you have put the soda/coconut oil on your cupboards– then what? Do you just put it on and wipe it off;? What is the best thing to wipe it off with– paper towels or cloth?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Rub it into the cabinets, then wipe it off with a moist cloth. :-)
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