Let’s kick off my “How to Clean” series with this guide on how to clean grease from kitchen cabinets. Learn how to remove caked on grease and prevent future build-up.
It all began one evening, while I was trying to finish my Christmas decorating. I climbed onto the kitchen countertops to put my gold reindeer and a few ornaments in place, when I saw some dust on the tops of the cabinetry.
What I thought would be a quick dusting job turned into a cleaning nightmare before Christmas!
Here is how it all started:
‘Twas the Night Before Cleaning
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and up on the shelf,
I climbed with my holiday décor, all proud of myself.
The gold reindeer was ready, the lights set to glow,
When I glanced at the cabinets—and let out a loud “Whoa!”
The tops were all covered in grime and thick grease,
A layer so sticky, it begged for release.
With a sponge in my hand and dish soap in my stash,
I figured, “No problem, I’ll clean it in a flash!”
But scrub as I might, the grease wouldn’t fade,
And I thought to myself, “Are these tops poorly made?”
Then at last, I found the answer that broke through the grime,
And discovered the cabinets were white all this time!
It was shocking and I’m embarrassed even sharing this, but I know I’m not the only one!
This hidden grime is easy to overlook and I’m not going to lie…I thought about climbing down and pretending I didn’t see it but my cleaning conscience got the better of me.
If anyone has a similar story, I’d appreciate a confession, so I don’t feel so bad about myself!
In honor of this first installment of my “How to Clean” series, where I’m taking on 52 weeks of overlooked cleaning tasks, we are going to tackle this sticky situation!
Why Clean the Tops of Your Kitchen Cabinets?
This experience showed me just how easy it is to overlook (on purpose or not) spaces like the tops of cabinets. Before we jump into how to clean grease from kitchen cabinets. Here’s why it’s important to tackle them:
- Hidden Messes: Dust and grease combine to create a sticky, hard-to-clean surface. The ugly truth is the longer you leave it, the harder it is to clean. When we bought the house, several years ago, I thought I had cleaned it…but from the amount of grease, I’m thinking I definitely did not!
- Better Hygiene: A clean kitchen reduces bacteria and improves air quality. Seriously, it needs to be cleaned.
- Transformative Results: The joy of seeing it clean really is worth the effort and I felt pretty accomplished when I was done. It was a feather in my cap moment.
How to Clean Grease from Kitchen Cabinets Supplies
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Before we dive into how to clean grease from kitchen cabinets, gather these tools:
- Dish soap
- Microfiber cloths
- Scrub brush
- Warm water
- Gloves (optional)
- Wax paper or shelf liners (if needed)
- Multi-purpose cleaner
How to Clean Grease from Kitchen Cabinets
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace and Be Safe
Use a sturdy step stool or ladder to safely reach the tops of your cabinets. Clear your countertops to make room for your cleaning supplies.
I climbed up on mine…but do as I say, not as I do. If you have any reason you should not climb a ladder, then certainly do not. Have someone else do it instead.
Step 2: Dust the Surface
Start by removing loose dust with a dry microfiber cloth. Honestly, this might be the only thing you have to do.
However, when I tried to dust my cabinet tops with a microfiber cloth, I initially thought they were made of unfinished pressboard, as the cloth kept snagging on what seemed like the raised grain.
Yes, I’m serious and I thought I’d never get them clean.
Step 3: Apply Your Cleaning Solution
Mix dish soap with warm water and give that a shot. It should tackle mild grease build-up. That’s when I realized I had more going on than just dust on pressboard.
Step 4: Scrub Thoroughly
When the dish soap and warm water didn’t cut through the grease, I knew I had to bring out the big guns.
I grabbed my scrub brush and this multi-purpose cleaner. I bought it on a fluke and used it to clean behind our old stove when we pulled it out.
(That’s a story for another day!)
I sprayed on the multi-surface cleaner. I used my scrub brush to move it around it began breaking up the mess really well.
I mean…AMAZINGLY WELL!
Step 5: Rinse and Dry
Wipe the area with a clean, damp cloth to remove any residue. Then, dry with a towel to prevent moisture damage.
Prevent Future Build-Up
Now that you know how to clean grease from kitchen cabinets, you want to keep them clean!
Once your cabinets are sparkling clean, make future cleaning easier by lining the tops with wax paper. If you have rough wood on the top of your cabinets, consider shelf liners. These catch the grease and dust, so you only need to replace the wax paper or liners when they get dirty.
Other Cleaning Tips
How to clean grease from kitchen cabinets is just the start of cleaning tips I have. Here are some more:
- Best Way to Clean Windows and Mirrors
- How to Clean Jewelry in 3 Easy Steps
- How to Clean Dishwasher Grime and Smells Easily
And just like that, Week 1 of the How to Clean series is complete! Learning how to clean grease from kitchen cabinets not only refreshes your space but also sets the tone for the next 51 weeks of tackling hidden messes or unexpected and forgotten stuff.
Stay tuned for Week 2, where we’ll tackle another often-overlooked cleaning task. Together, we’ll make your home shine, one week at a time!
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Remember: Life’s too short not to shimmer, so grab your glue gun and your glitter!™
Mona